meaningful

"mommy, come here!"  they yell.

"mommy, mommy, come outside!"

 "come swing with us,"  they insist.

 i put down all the things that keep me occupied indoors: dirty dishes, tidying, sweeping, laundry, lesson planning, penny pinching, facebook... 

 and recess with my three a.maz.ing people.

"look mommy, watch!"

i look. 

really look.

 and laugh.

"mommy, you should go on the swing!

come on, i'll help you."

as she helps we giggle.


she pushes.

and i swing.

they holler and cheer, "yeah! mommy, isn't the swing fun?!"  


it is fun.


after we swing they show me their fortress.

they built it together. 

 they lead me past the fort to a small patch of wild flowers. 

the wildflowers invite her to twirl in her tutu. 

she picks me a dainty flower from her dance floor.

he sits beside me, places his almost 14 yr old hand on my back.  
without words he tells me he is delighted i put down the meaningless for the meaningful.  
i listen. 
really listen.

next, they lead me over to a cluster of boulders, which they have named "bobcat rock."  i watch them climb.   


they show me the waterfalltrickle.

which leads into the creek. 

and i think about the gift it is to be, "mommy."
i am overjoyed that they call to me.
want me.
 
i'm honored to be invited into their backyard world. blessed to have it shared with me through their eyes. 

and i am so glad that i put down my not-important and 
took hold of my so-important.