Minutia

Hot Fudge Sundaes for supper - does it get much better than that?

That's right, last night my family dined summer style - ice cream on the beach.  After picking up the kids from their various activities I said it was a definite ice cream night.  They were pleased and were probably thinking after a healthy meal we'd get cones out rather than usual self-scooped single flavor dish from the freezer at home.  They then asked their usual nightly question, "What's for supper?"  To which I happily replied in a very atypical, non-nutritional, what-the-hell-life-is-too-short-kind-of-way "I said it was an ice cream kind of night!"  "REALLY? Like whatever we want? Sundaes even?"  It is very satisfying to be the recipient of the expressions of thrilled disbelief.  Unknowingly, in that impulsive, unthinking moment I set the stage for the best moments with my children since the first moment I met them 14 ½ and 15 ½ years ago. 

My daughter and son are at that particular stage in life where there is more independence on their part and more letting go on the part of the parent - ready or not!  There's now more opportunity to step back and wonder at the people, the adults they are becoming.  You hope and pray that all the important stuff you've been trying to cram into them (before they get to the age where they tune you out) has stuck.  As a parent I often cringe at the pressures and stress the teenage years bring.  Will they be able to balance it all?  Do I as their mother, set good example? 

Toes in the sand, ice cream dishes licked clean and tossed in the trash, the night didn't seem to hold any particular promise for something spectacular.  After a playful semi-game of tag the kids began to wander their separate ways down the coastline, beachcombing and splashing.  As my head ping-ponged observing them I began to giggle.  Here they are on the cusp of adulthood and I see them, unaware of each other and yet almost simultaneously, they are skipping, spinning, cart-wheeling and running with wild abandon.  It was if they were asked to act out the first few lines of my blog, Carpe Cartwheelem that I wrote back in February about myself.  Before long they returned and without consulting each other asked if they could jump in the water clothes and all.  Why the hell not!  They were infectious!  I don't remember seeing them happier and in each other's company!  The incongruity of seeing them behave as the best pals they were when they were 3 & 4 but now in adult-sized bodies was indescribable.

To paraphrase slightly the lyrics to the song Cool Change ,

Well they were born in the sight of water
And it's there that they feel their best

I've always known of my children's love of the beach but not until last night did I realize the depth and breadth of that love.  Growing up should never mean the loss of Joie de Vivre.  Tonight on Seagull Beach I received the beautiful gift of reassurance.

I've been replaying the evening to trace an indelible memory in my heart.  Impossible to recapture moments so rare, these words will have to suffice in the years to come.