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We were blessed last week with a visit from dear daughter and our two grandchildren. I just have to share this photo that my daughter took of three year old Annabelle, standing in the doorway of our house. In the foreground is a pot of Salmon-colored Alaska Nasturtiums, tucked under the porch to escape the summer heat and blooming anew...now that the nights are cooler.
Something about this picture just tugs at my heart. Maybe it's the lingering sweetness of an entire day Annabelle was able to spend with Nana. Or those bare feet...and the memory of her contagious laughter as she ran away when sprayed with the hose, as I was watering the flower garden. Or when we removed her wet dress, and she quietly sneaked herself into the five gallon bucket of water without me seeing, and my surprise at looking over and seeing only her head peeking out! Or her delight in eating one after another of my Super Sweet cherry tomatoes and mini bell peppers, fresh from the garden. Or maybe it's that bittersweet feeling one gets when summer is waning and you know these warm sweet summer days will soon be drawing to an end. I guess maybe it is all those feelings, and so many more that this photo evokes in me, and why it so squeezes this Grandma heart of mine.
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"Those gasps of astonishment, those shrieks of pleasure, those sighs of delight, lost long ago when your children grew wise and wordly ~ are suddenly given back to you by your grandchildren. What seems to be the same small hands clutch yours, dragging you from one excitement to another."
Author unknown
21 comments:
Oh Connie, so sweet. It tugs at my heart also.
Hi Connie~~ I'm between phases right now. My kids are in their late teens/early twenties. No grandchildren yet so no little ones running around. In some ways it's easier but it's sad too. Childhood passes so quickly. Yet I think your photo captures a timeless innocence.
Sweet, sweet, sweet! I love the quote too, very touching. Thanks for the memories of spending time her yesterday too, and thank you for the correct spelling. I always like that...and I mean it! I hope you like J & J as much as I did.
That's so sweet Connie. It sounds like they definitely kept you entertained.
What a lovely picture! I couldn't help but smile.
What a lovely entry! I can remember doing some of these same things at my grandma's as a child... especially eating peas out of her garden right from the pod! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa in Kentucky
What a wonderful post. That photo is definitely a keeper. I love her dress. :)
because it is about memory:
Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these Susan B Anthony
Abruptly the poker of memory stirs the ashes of recollection and uncovers a forgotten ember, still smoldering down there, still hot, still glowing, still red as red. William Manchester
Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things. Pierce Harris
I adore that picture...and the description of your day with her makes it all the more lovely! Kim
Hi Connie:
Sorry I haven't kept up with your posts for awhile. You are missing one of the nicest falls we've had in years here. Temps have been in the 80s and the garden still looks good.
I like reading about your little Annabelle.
That is a sweet photo! I love photos taken from unexpected perspectives. Thanks for sharing your thoughts from your heart.
My grandson is 21 months old, and we watch him on Saturdays. Today, when we took him to my parents at suppertime, his shoes were still wet from our morning watering session. My knee is still hurting from tripping on our dog's leash while holding him (grandson) last weekend, so I sat down next to him by one of the flower beds to get off of my leg, and he sat down next to me, and laid the hose down and played with the water as it came out, and we cuddled off and on. I am thankful he loves to be outside and for the time we have together.
Dear Connie,
I am so happy for you. This post just makes me smile. Such overwhelming joy those little ones bring to our hearts! I'm with you ... that photo is priceless... those bare feet... that precious flowing hemline. It all speaks of summer and simple fun!
Our youngest one is laying on the couch watching football with his Papa right now... I adore hearing his little voice getting excited over a touchdown.
Happy times.
Meems
It is fun to have little ones around. They have so much joy in all the small things in a summer garden...sounds like a wonderful time. You will surely find some wonderful autumn moments soon!
Hi Connie - That picture is so precious! Also, I hope you don't mind if I pass the grandparent quote along to my mom...I think it really sums up the feelings that she talks about all the time.
Also, love the roasted tomatoes tip! I needed something new to do with all the extras - we can only eat so much salsa. :)
I'm excited to start following your blog - looks like a great one!
Connie,
This photo is such a heart tugger for me too. You have such a wonderful blog.
Sweet, sweet post! I can't wait to be a grandma some day. You have captured the experience in words in a really special way :)
I wanted to let you know, I am trying your roasted tomatoes RIGHT NOW. I can smell the minced garlic as the pans are roasting. Can't wait to see how it turns out.;
Very sweet! And I love the quote...makes me want some grandchildren right now;-) (I'd like my daughter to finish college and get married, first...haha)
connie, it is a great photo. i thought the photo alone was enough, as one could imagine so many stories about it. but when i read the description of the day, it was all the more poignant. i only hope i will see grand children one day and share the lovely feeling!
Awww, that is very sweet. I hope you get to see her often. I'm sure you are giving her just as many lovely memories as she is giving you.
Connie, the images are truly stunning! I understand the let-down as summer draws to a close. Here in Wisconsin, we've had snow already!
Oh Connie, so sweet. It tugs at my heart also.
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