Bitter, bitter. But I like it because.

[ailbhe]

We cycled to Meeting this morning in flurries of snow and shearing winds₁₆₇. Emer begged to go on Rob's bike in the child seat and was allowed only because his shoulders are so very broad. I was worried about her, because the wind blew into my face and gusted into my mouth, so that my eyes streamed and I couldn't breathe; I actually had to pull off onto the footpath to get my breath back. I usually cycle in eighth gear, on the flat, and was down to five or six most of the way.

When we arrived I was too cold to take my coat off for ten minutes or so.

Both children were absolutely fine.

There was a sort of active, interactive thing today, an all-ages shared bit, with grannies and babies, and we all made masks, or drew pictures, and talked about facets of self.

Linnea didn't want to talk about her masks, and didn't want me to tell about them either. But this is what they were: Two-sided masks to show different aspects of oneself.

Linnea's own mask had one happy side, and one very pleased side. And the mask she made for Emer (there's a lovely little facet sparkling away by itself) had no expression, so that Emer could be anything she wanted.

Excuse me, I have to go collapse from pride over here, I'll be up in a minute₁₆₈.

Emer drew her own mask, separately from her sister's caretaking; one side herself, with eyes and a nose and a mouth, and directed Rob and a woman whose name I forget to draw the other side, in far greater detail.

Comments

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

the mask she made for Emer had no expression, so that Emer could be anything she wanted.

Ailbhe. If you EVER EVER doubt your success at being an empowering and accepting parent, re-read this note about how your model is being followed.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, this. So very much this.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

!!

:-)