Appreciation
I’ve been quiet because of being crazy busy with some things I can talk about, and some I can’t. We have something going on that has taken a fair amount of my mental capacity lately, and I can’t write about it, not right now. It’s fine – I’m ok, Alastair’s ok, all are ok, there’s no domestic disharmony in this house – it’s just a little bit energy-consumptive.
Jeff is over for a few weeks. He arrived on Monday, a tall weedy teenager with an adult’s voice and the ability to consume great quantities of food that disappear into the ether. He’s brilliant fun, and last night he and Alastair and I set up our new arrival – we bought a tent to go camping with, and its first run is this weekend when all 5 of us (including two very wound up toddlers who have their own airbeds, one covered with dinosaurs and one covered with Disney Princesses, because we don’t do stereotypes or anything). It’s not just a tent, it is a great big fuck-off tent. It has bedrooms, skylights, and – I shit you not – an indoor carpet. It’s not camping so much as glamping.
We had some guests over the other night, old friends of Alastair’s. Someone asked the question of where we would want to spend the rest of our lives, and we went around the table listing our top choices. A discussion broke out before they got to my answers. The discussion veered left and went into other garrulous topics. It was set to go to a new round of questions, when Jeff piped up.
“Wait a minute,” he said. “We didn’t hear Shannon’s answers yet. We need to let her have a turn.”
I think my heart caught on a little hook inside, and I reached over and ruffled his hair. “Thanks, man, “I said. “I appreciate that.”
Moreover, I appreciate him.
-S.
So – what were your answers to that question? ;)
We have the Oakland with a carpet! We have a baby who thinks glamping is where it is at, we are going away for four days next week with friends and i am not kidding, we are taking a tea pot, cafetiere and at least four pillow and two duvets.
Abs x
I have a 16 year old stepson that came into my life when he was 9. It has been a pleasure watching him become a young man. Although his mother and I aren’t, well, on the same page so to speak…I have to say she did a good job raising him. My parents divorced when I was two, so I grew up with step parents on both sides and I have to say that I didn’t make life very easy for them. I’m appreciative too! It’s a pleasure reading your blog. Take care.
Just because I know it will make you giggle about the things that must not be mentioned….
You’re too…shy shy, hush hush, I do I …do.
It’s virtually the KingDom!
I LIKE Jeff. Considerate AND tolerant. He’ll go far!
Whomever ends up with Jeff will be a very lucky girl! :D And, I’m sure you will see to it that she is aware of just how lucky she is.
Jeff is becoming a wonderful young man, and considerate to boot. And you know that tent cracks me the shit up.
Jeff sounds like he’s turning into one cool teenager. And as much of a pain in the ass as they can be during their teen years, they can also be as much of a delight to have around as babies. Especially when you can connect with them on their level, as you seem to be able to do.
What a nice kid he is!! He’s so lucky to have you in his life and I think he knows it!
I never got the chance to sit down and reply to the last post, although I got a bit of a catch in my throat at the emotion in the writing, but this? This made my heart beat faster and my brain spin. As a step-mother of a boy who has begun to accept us as the humans we are (and vice-versa) after a great deal of emotional upheaval, this made me very happy indeed. You – are a great mother – step- or otherwise, and a fantastic person from the ground up.
So wonderful to hear! I am slowly catching up on your blog. I’m not quite sure how I lost track of you for so long. And you confused the hell out of me being Shannon now.
So many congrats on the wedding!
And hopefully soon I will have caught up enough you can consider me a true stalker again.
(presses LIKE button) What a gentleman! Oh, and mucho mucho congratulations BTW, have been away for a long while – may you have a long and happy (and fun!) life together. Best Wishes!
John