Weekend Kat Blogging: Fairy Sisters

My wee goblin girls have sprouted wings and turned into fairies.

Such mutability is natural for denizens of the realm of Faerie; it is as natural for the Good Folk to change shape and form as it is for humans to change their clothes. So, I was not surprised to see my daughters manifest wings and take flight about the living room in a fit of music and giggles. No, I was not surprised at all, only proud.

And rather full of giggles myself, I must admit.

It is wonderful to see such obvious affection between the two of them, despite the large gap in their ages. Now, when Morganna comes home from school (when she goes at all–out of the past ten school days, she has missed seven due to bad weather), Kat reaches out and calls to her, grinning with obvious glee. As for Morganna, more and more often, she is seen to pick up Kat, and hug her lovingly close.

In all seriousness, it isn’t easy parenting a teen and an infant at the same time. Their needs and wants are vastly different, and sometimes I feel like I am being pulled in several directions at once as I try and keep everything together in my head and heart while navigating the uncharted space that is our lives together as a family. I sometimes feel unequal to the task, but I think that is normal for most parents. We are all somewhat unequal to the task of raising our children to be good human beings, but we generally manage to do well in spite of our failings. I think that being somewhat unequal to the task is what forces us to grow as human beings ourselves, as we guide our children along. I think that the best families grow and learn together.

I have been blessed. Much of my life as a mother has been unusual to say the least, and much of it has been distinctly painful and unpleasant. But now, when I look at my two daughters engaged in the work and play of growing up, and doing it together, I can see that I have been gifted by their presence in my life. It doesn’t matter, past a certain point, that our lives together have been different than most families’ experiences. What matters is that we are together now, we are growing, we are learning, we love each other and we are happy.

When I see Morganna and Kat, absorbed in play, their voices softened with laughter, I know that even though the wings they wear are gossamer, make believe bits of imagination, my girls will fly.

3 Comments »

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1. I know the feeling!

   Comment by ilva — February 18, 2007 #

2. What beautiful post!! You must be a wonderful mom.

   Comment by valentina — February 18, 2007 #

3. Cat has the most marvelously expressive face!

   (Not that Morganna doesn’t, but one expects her to)

   My nephew was born when I was 12 and when he was less than 2 he and my sister came back to live in my parents’ house—we were specially close and are still to this day even now that he is over 40.

   Here’s to a lifetime of closeness for your girls!

   Comment by wwjudith — February 18, 2007 #

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