Toes for breakfast
February 2010.
Dear Maya,
I know that so often, I talk of you as a very mature person. You are ever so responsible and empathic; far beyond any nine year old that I have ever met. I sometimes share that I wished you’d be more like a nine year old (so you could have more fun). Well honey, I just want to mention that you do indeed have lots of fun and act your age plenty of times. Let me take a moment to list a handful of ways here:
- Playing in the snow…recently we went to Spring Farm, and you were thrilled at swinging in the vine forest and climbing trees.
- Did I say climbing trees? Well girl, you have fun climbing anything!
- Snow tubing at Lake Placid.
- Tobogganing (even solo) down the toboggan run at Lake Placid.
- Ice skating (Even though Adin, Jonah, and Gabriel all bailed out).
- Making very elaborate forts out of blankets.
- Sleeping in crazy places (like the cabinet above our pass through).
- With music on via head phones, jumping up on the table and dancing, checking yourself out in the windows which act as mirrors.
- Baking and cooking. You’ve taken to learning how to do so independently and get great joy from it.
- Need for bed time “tuck in”. And tuck in is code for me to lay down with you and cuddle for a long time.
- Feed me my breakfast each morning; breakfast being your toes before we put your socks on.
- Act out with facial expressions and gestures while singing (songs from your voice lessons).
- Dancing- expressing yourself. This could be alone, with me, with Talia and others.
- Choose a different stuffed animal (friend) to sleep with each night.
- Love your monkeys.
- Be a monkey, yourself.
- Sit on dad’s lap each night after dinner…and more.
So I guess that, yes! You are a little girl after all.
Love, from your grown up mom
It is so precious to have these journals, Elise.
Yes Jonathan, I really treasure them!
Thanks, Elise. It is so good to hear of your love. I did not get a daughter or a son and have had only other people’s children to enjoy. Thanks for letting me in on your precious moments.
Dear Betty, Not only am I touched to see that these stories mean something to you, but I noticed (via Facebook), that you’re sharing them with others. Heartfelt gratitude and love your way.
I have such fond memories of our weekend in the Adirondacks. What stands out the most was Maya’s eagerness to skate a lap around the rink. I remember her laugh, smile and determination,despite her falls and imbalance on skates. The boys bailed out deciding that drinking hot chocolate at Starbucks was more their speed, but Maya kept on skating. Love these memories.
xoxo
Yes, to all! What determination, what a will, what a spirit! If she was interested, Maya took it on with gusto!
Of all my fond memories of Maya, my favorite may be the time she literally climbed up my body to my shoulders, like I was monkey bars at the playground. Monkeys were her favorite animal, and we sometimes called her that, meant in an endearing way.
Recently, as I was simultaneously saddened by Tuli’s focus away from Disney nature movies and thrilled with her new found interest in action/adventure movies (both of which I love), I finally gave up trying to get her to watch “Monkey Kingdom” with me. Ellen, too, seemed luke-warm at best, so I threw it in the DVD player and watched it as I exercised in my basement.
There was only one monkey in the movie referred to by name, and of course, her name was Maya, the fearless, loving, and gifted heroine in the story.
I can just see Maya now, climbing up your body, with a big smile. I also appreciate hearing of “Maya” the monkey- the other monkey.