Returned, last night, after enjoying four idyllic days at our cabin, which being surrounded by a forest of tall pines, serves as our cool weather, mountain retreat when the desert's summer sun is blazing away at 110 degrees, and I'm glad to say that both down time and fun were had by all. As a bonus to frolicking four days away with Celina, Steven and Ravi, Will and I enjoyed the fact that David chose to fly in from the coast to relive some boyhood memories of cabin time, spent with immediate family, as well. And if we find watching Ravi's newest 'tricks' exceedingly entertaining, in and of themselves, sharing her thirsty mind's adventurous absorption of everything she watches us do with her besotted Uncle David in attendance, adds to our pleasure, immeasurably. This week, we cheered aloud whenever Ravi's strong arms pulled her body to a standing position, while her chubby legs wobbled, back and forth, as she worked determinedly to gain her balance on two tiny feet, and each time our eight month old, center of attraction crawled (knees covered with brightly striped leg warmers) toward a chair, mind set bent on achieving her newest stand up feat, she'd grin with delight upon winning her adoring family's clapping, cheerful laughter as her just reward.
Though our cabin has always been my 'magic place', conflict with extended family, which remains unresolved and thus too hot to touch, has heightened my awareness of appreciating times when family togetherness is enjoyed by one and all. And though rain storms clattered down on the roof of our cabin, nothing could dampen my spirit while peace, harmony and cornball humor prevailed inside the cozy environment enjoyed by each member of our immediate family. So to my way of thinking, idyllic equates with heartfelt contentment rather than with perfection.
In the aftermath of the thunderstorm, Steven and David decided to go out, and upon returning to the cabin before dark, my sons were mud splattered from head to toe. Why? Because they'd taken Steven's monster Razor for an off-roading, four wheeling adventurous, adrenalin rush ... gargantuan tires spinning through every puddle they could find (boys and their toys!), and after taking one look at these two grown men, we, who'd had the good sense to remain in the cabin, snug as three bugs in a rug, had cause to laugh ourselves silly, again. After cleaning up, Steven was on the deck, bar b q'ing juicy, prime steaks when he happened to look through the window into the cabin, and leaving the savory aroma of our main course charing to perfection on the grill, he walked into the front door, specifically to share his reaction with our family: I was just standing at the window, looking into the cabin, and I wish you could have seen the heartwarming picture that all of you made. I felt like you were in Norman Rockwell painting.
As to what my son saw that gave my spirit reason to soar: Picture Celina, David and I gathered round the kitchen island, preparing salad, husking corn and uncorking wine on one side of the great room (it had been the great room that made the cabin feel like home as soon as the realtor had ushered us through its forest green front door, 37 years ago, because while standing at the threshold of our future, I'd pictured our three small sons and their buds enjoying ample floor space to wrestle around to their hearts' content without getting underfoot), and while we three are preparing side dishes for dinner, Will, seated in a Queen Anne's chair at our antique, round, solid oak dining table, is seen offering Ravi's nimble fingers some of her first lip-smacking tastes of solid food, and once again, peals of laughter ring out loud and clear, all around, each time Ravi's face expresses surprise as her tongue works to figure out what to do with each brand new tasty morsel that manages to make it into her hungry, little mouth, and with each smile that this sweet natured baby casts at her gramps, as if to say: Thank you for delighting my taste buds with another unexpected gift, we laugh in delight, as well.
As love, glowing with happy interconnectedness, shines forth from within every pair of eyes, Celina suggests that Steven take a panorama view of our family (which includes their dogs, a pair of Rhodesian Ridgebacks, the size of ponies!) enjoying cabin life, to which he readily complies. Then, while my heart sings quietly of the miracle of Ravi's birth, which has offered reason for love to burst into full bloom, all around, this wistful thought floats through my mind: If only the innocent minds and sweet natured hearts of all children could feel so safely nourished and well loved from the get-go, as has been true for our precious grand child, what a wonderful world this would be ...
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