Peace and love

Friday night, as my mind was racing and my body was winding down for sleep after a long day of co-parenting with my mother-in-law (and grateful for it), I turned to Widget and told him it was five more minutes until bedtime.  He looked up at me with those big blue eyes and asked,

Mommy, can we go for a walk and look at the stars?

Um, yes?  As soon as I pick my heart back up off the floor?  Of course, yes, and, just as we got bundled up in “jacquets” and hats, Daddy walked in the door.  We three walked back out, into the cold night air, and took a little night stroll to see the stars. 

It was possibly the most beautiful night of my life.  It wasn’t poignant, and it wasn’t sad.  It was just the everyday normalness of it all that got me.  Two parents and a little boy, just walking, hand-in-hand, enjoying the stars.  Shielding our eyes against the brightness of the streetlights and turning away from the city’s glare.  Joining hands and leaning waaaaaaaaaaay back to see the best view possible without falling down.  Laughing and giggling as we raced each other back inside for some hot “choqwit” downstairs while Grandma put Little Bear to bed for the night.

Treasuring the moment, but not overmuch, secure in the knowledge that we will do this again and again, through all the years that we will live together.

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Blog awards time!  Leanne at Intricate Art gave me the Bloggers of the World award, created by Colin.  There are so many farflung friends I’ve made through blogging, but today I remind you of some of my favorites from the far corners of the world (or what looks like that from here):

Kelley in Australia, Bon in PEI, Robin in Israel, Planet Nomad (whose real name I’m forgetting) in Mauritania, or even just Oregon, Tanya in what feels like a country paradise … and so many more.  You gals expand my world, and for that, I thank you.

(Are you blogging a long way away from Washington, D.C.?  Leave me a comment and let me know or remind me.  I adore visiting new places!)

Robin from Around the Island just happened to give me bling this week too.  It’s the True Blue Blogging Award, and, while I see so many of you as True Blue Blogging Friends, this one has Stimey‘s name on it. 

I pass this one on to Stimey, for being a friend through good times and bad; for the days of silent boys and screaming ones; for parenting boys who build and boys who tear apart; for bringing me dinner when I expected “only” a playdate.  For not correcting my insufferable use of clauses as sentences, even though you know I know better, and yet I still fling them from the rafters in rapid succession.  For inviting me over on hot summer days and cold winter evenings.  For being ready with a smile, a sigh, a hug.  For being my friend, and letting me be your friend, not just your “friend with cancer.”  Thanks, Stimey.