Max is a goofball whereas Scout was a sentimental intellectual-savant, but they do look a lot alike and have some very similar habits. Like Scout, Max loves to be with me when I light the oil lamps in the evening, and sighs the same way Scout did when he settles himself for a nap across my legs, he even plays catch in the same silly way.
Every morning when we wake up, the first thing Max and I do is go out to the corner where we made a Scout memorial. I ring the wind chimes, while Max (less sentimentally) pees. The other day I was playing catch with Max and he came around the corner just as Scout used to and as I mussed his ears and face, the solar lantern flickered awake although it was not at all close to darkness. It truly felt like Scout was laughing in the moment alongside us.
*
I woke up from an intense dream last night in which my dad was asking why I hadn't placed a "pottu" on him. For the most part, this is a benign request--you'd place a pottu (the vermillion mark) as a blessing; I put one on myself every time I leave the house, or on the kids when they join me in meditation. But in Tamil slang, "putting a pottu on someone" can signify they have passed away and you're paying your respects to their portrait by putting a pottu on it. So obviously, I woke up dreading the day. Thankfully, it turns out I have no prophetic qualities, and the day passed uneventfully.
*
We had our annual Ganesha seek-and-find today (postponed from Friday). The kids found all 32 Ganeshas, showered them with rosewater, anointed them with turmeric and vermillion, and decorated them with flowers. I translated some Sanskrit slokas for them to enjoy, and they insisted on singing "Happy Birthday" in English as well. They heard about our adventure from yesterday, had so many follow-up questions, and were suitably celebratory not to wake up as orphans today.
Pic: The fam at brunch... Big A, Max, At, and Nu with Huckie underfoot. (I'm trying so hard to ignore the giant pile of napkins waiting to be folded behind A.)
13 comments:
Scary dream, lovely family celebration.
Take care
Yikes, that is quite the dream!
I love the beautiful rituals you have incorporated into your lives. They are by turns solemn, joyful, and commemorative. They really seem to make Life more meaningful and intentional.
Such a lovely family photo. You should always ignore the chores in the background, friend. They're not as important as the time spent with loved ones.
Thanks, Sarah <3
Thanks!
Yup. Did not like it one bit.
Nance! Nance! Nance! You're back from the wild and happy things you've been doing! Thank you--my kids are quirky and they certainly bring their own magic with them!
Thank you, Engie!! That chore was supposed to be completed by my loved ones while I made dinner lol
I mean I agree with your principle, but...
Lovely slice of life picture
Thank you, Steph! I think Max brought the oomph!
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