Another weekend come and gone. The whole family attended the Notre Dame game in the pouring rain. The house was full that night. Full of boys and girls laughing and shouting. Full of college games and food. Full of even more football as they cheered or jeered their favorite teams on TV.
My husband cooked while I did laundry. 10 boys with muddy and soaked clothes. 3 girls just as wet. The showers were over flowing with young men fighting for the first and therefore the warmest shower. As the number of college kids grew and the party shifted into full gear, my husband and I found a quiet corner for a glass of wine. We have never had a "second" home. Now we rent a 4 bedroom/5 bath townhouse in South Bend, Indiana. Funny, I never thought of a second home in Indiana when I dreamed of my perfect family get away. Maybe a lakehouse in Michigan or Wisconsin. For sure a home of any sort in Italy. But South Bend, Indiana never crossed my mind.
The past two weekends have been exhausting. Driving and cooking. Cleaning and driving. And the noise! Who would have thought they could be so loud???!!!
Young men sleeping everywhere. On the floors. On the sofas. In the beds. Three in one full size bed! Three "boys" who stand over 6'4 inches tall! Three "boys" who weigh over 200 pounds!
This mother is exhausted. This mother is happy and content. These are family moments more real than any villa in Italy will ever be. As I practice letting go of what was, I open to our new reality. My children are no longer children. They are young men and women. Our lives are forever changing as the mysterious future continues to unfold in delightful and spontaneous ways.
This exhausted mom is taking a day off to play in her studio. In the quiet, all by her full and solitary self.
Kathleen,
My heart grew so full as I read your post! What an awesome way to spend the weekend, and what a beautiful "second" dream home you have! Noise, laughter, food, the energy of young people, and even finding a quiet corner to toast with your husband. What more could we ask for? Enjoy your solitude. What makes the quiet days even better are the echos of the "noisier" times. You deserve a whole lot of both, my sweet friend!
Love,
Deb
Posted by: Debbie W | September 15, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Yes! What a weekend... your Fall will be full of weekends like this, hopefully w/out all the rain. Sounds like this is a new adventure for you and that you are truely enjoying it!
Jill Berry class in Springfield this past weekend ROCKED! With the exception of the drive to Springfield that is. Cannot wait to show you what we made. I'll take some pictures of the books and email them to you outside of your blog.
You would love Jill... we thought of you during class.
Have a great day in the studio Kathleen... back to Valley Ridge for Julia and I this weekend for a Book of Talking Ribbons.
Getting Exhausted but still having fun....
Posted by: Jennifer White | September 16, 2008 at 08:30 AM
What a wonderful story, I loved hearing about your weekend. And your art...glorius! Such a beautiful turquoise and your diagonal design is giving me ideas! I hope you have a very creative week in your studio...Roxanne
Posted by: rivergardenstudio | September 16, 2008 at 11:40 AM
You light my way.
Posted by: Karen Maezen Miller | September 22, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Beautiful, beautiful piece of art. Love your choice of images.
Posted by: Seth | September 29, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Kath, I loved reading every bit-actually getting teary eyed as though I were with you, feeling it too. I love you and your pages and hope that I can get a bit more practice at responding-seeing everything- because I feel very close to you and your family when I read them...as always, I love you and remain JUST Laur!
Posted by: Laurel Femiano | November 19, 2008 at 06:29 PM