Walking Home

Today was an early release day for the public schools.  That means that Sawyer got out of school at a little after 12.  Sebastian is stuck at school for the full day.  Good thing he doesn't mind. :)

I walked to the bus stop today, to meet her bus.  The timing of that on any given day is a guessing game.  Traffic, construction, weather conditions- they can all contribute to an early or late arrival.  Knock on wood, I have never missed a drop off.  There have been a few close calls in the morning, but she has never missed a pick up either.

Today, I timed it perfectly.  I got there about 5 minutes before she did.  Off the bus she came, hat askew, coat not zipped up all the way, no mitts, and boots on the wrong feet.  I hustle her across the street and we begin the walk home. 

Oh what a walk it is.

She trots along at points, but is easily distracted.  Particularily crunchy icy snow along the edge of the sidewalk draws her attention and the tip of her boot.  It is just asking to mashed and cracked.  Puddles galore need to be walked through, frontwards and backwards.  Occasionally, out of the blue, she will realize that there is more then the world under her feet, and will be distracted by the sky, the leafless trees, the squirrels and birds.  She will often stop to listen to a sound, one that I don't even hear.  It can be something so common place that I have tuned out, like the garbage truck, or something that I genuinely don't hear, like the radio through someone's open window.  She finds treasures everywhere.  Every one of them deserves her scrutiny- a stop, a look, a touch, a smell.  Luckily, I am usually able to stop it before it gets to taste. :)

And the whole time, she talks.  And talks and talks.

I hear about class and her teachers.  I hear about the bus buddies that weren't there today and that Colby has a piano lesson.  I hear about the nicknames she has for people (all nice, so far) and the dance moves she and the ladies came up with in gym.  There are wild tangents and misprounounced words, intermingled with half truths and imaginings. It is a work of wonders to keep up with her conversations.  I do try, but sometimes it's hard.  But when you put the effort in, it is completely worth the effort.  I learn so much about her and how she thinks from these rambling talks.

So, we slowly make our way home, her little icy fingers wrapped up in mine.  My first instinct is to hurry her along- the wind is cold, and my ears are burning.

But then I very conciously pay attention to what is going on here, right in front of me.  And I decide it is worth taking the time.  I don't rush her.  We go at her pace.

It's a long walk home. :)

Rosie N. Grey
The N stands for "new miracles every day".