One of the joys of childhood is getting out of school for the summer. And I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve bitten by that same bug as a mom.
Sure I’m up to my eyeballs in business responsibilities and new projects but there’s just something about the new found freedom that has me sneaking away to hit afternoon movies with the kids and scaring up a bigger afternoon pot of coffee (decaf!) to share with whomever is not at the lake or wandering the neighborhood with friends. This morning I even had a truly guilty pleasure with Dazzling Daughter in combination with a necessary trip to the bank: we had a luxurious late breakfast together!
Now don’t get me wrong. Remember this moment because in 6 weeks I’ll be climbing the walls wondering when school starts when their “I’m bored” whining begins drowning out my workday thought processes. But what a feeling of exhilaration to just look at each other and say, “Wanna?” as I was dashing out the door to the bank.
Minutes later we were padding out the door in flip-flops and wiping the sleep our of our eyes as we pulled out of the driveway. Now mind you, we ate three steps away from the bank errand I already had scheduled and it was only an hour. But it felt like wild abandon to my deadline-soaked brain. And who knew she’d actually let me inhabit her favorite Westlake High haunt with her!?
Can you feel the "neighborhood hang-out" vibe here? Scads of scruffy teenagers, concrete floors and photos of local icons such as the Redheaded Stranger fill the Westlake Honey Ham restaurant. (My poor professional camera equipment has been usurped by my trusty iPhone!)
As we munched on our gluten-free tacos, so good they rival most of the famous breakfast dives I frequent, I was overcome with the lushness of the moment. How many mothers are getting to share such moments with darling daughters?
Later we wandered over to Michaels to plan a craft project together and I thought how wonderful my life is that I set my own hours and work where and when I want to. I wouldn’t have missed this morning with her for anything in the world.
Not long from now she’ll be completely absorbed in her own pursuits, riding in cars, (eek, riding in cars with BOYS) planning college…but for now she still thinks I’m cool enough to eat breakfast with even though her friends could be eating at a nearby table or rambling in any minute full of boisterous challenges to each other over who ran through the light the fastest.
Ah, who am I kidding? She just needed me to pick up the check!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This actually brought tears to my eyes Allison. I love it when my mom and I get to share days like this and even at 35 years old, it happens. I’m glad that you took the time and that she still realizes that you’re cool!
Aw, April, I get misty thinking about you and your mom having this close a relationship now, too! Thanks for your sweet word. You can bet next time she and I have a meal moment together we’ll include some of Grandma’s Sweet Leaf Tea! See you on the roads!
I love this story because it is timeless. That delicate relationship between mothers and daughters. One can only imagine the same scene with Lucy Stone and Alice Stone Blackwell. Or Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson. It’s amusing to watch how kids “play” their parents. The funniest part is that the kids don’t know we know!
Like a piece of string, my children have me wrapped around their little finger. It is part of what binds us beyond DNA. It’s all fine, of course, I gave the them the string to begin with.
Life is GOOD and I’m so pleased for you . Seeing yourself in that young one does
reconnect one to a much simpler time; Joy.
By the way, would you allow her to pick up the check?
Enjoy seeing you’ve found time to write a bit.
God Bless.
Thanks, Gregory! Yes, it’s actually rare these days to have time to write. I grab the moments when I can!