I call it the inner eye. The eye that sees and knows things. Quietly. Agelessly. The inner eye tracks cycles; cycles of the seasons, cycles of the moon, cycles of weather, cycles of blood.
There were two families near the place where I grew up. One family had 12 children and the other had 13 children, there were just 3 children in my family. I never thought much about them because some of the families had children about the same age as me, so we all went to school together.
If a woman has help from her mother and her aunts and family it makes raising a big group of kids so much safer. Thirteen kids is a lot - especially if they were close. I hope they had help.
The mother mostly had the older siblings. The mom told me once it was the cooking when all the kids got older. The girls helped around the house and the kitchen details. She said it was like feeding an army. The boys all worked on the farm which what most of us did back then.
I had such a washing basket moment when we moved to the Sound and my husband was in hospital for six weeks. No phone No computers no friends no children at home. It was a stop the world I want to get off time and your washing basket story just shows how I felt. We had just moved to the Sounds so we knew nobody. My daughter was in London and my son in Waitangi, so very far awayWe lived in a small Bay where there were only two other permanent residences and 60 km from the closest town. But we women are strong and we get over it. Daughter came home and the sun came often from the top of the North Island and my husband eventually recovered.
Such a heartfelt story. I do remember it. And seemingly, like you told you eldest, we all experience washing basket times in life. I do love how you seem to always forge forward when they come your way. Beautiful writing. xo
I love this story. I only had two kids but I was very young and the husband at the time wasn't much help. I had a few moments like that. My friends were going to university, travelling and having fun. Later, when they were busy with kids and life, my kids were grown and I was off riding motorcycles around North America and having fun. It all works out. xo
There is a duality of motherhood. I saw this in my own mom. The cyclical nature of it, and the way it demands everything from you while offering little in return. And through it all - you keep going.
At the beginning it can feel too much but it does get better. The great thing about a modern woman - now we can (mostly) choose whether to become a mother. Though my kids are glorious and it is great not to be that much older than them - I was WAY too young to be responsible for all that. Alone like that.
I wonder if my mother was sitting in her basket very often. She had 9 kids including a set of twins. I never had a talk with her about it. But, I can imagine.
I remember this story well... especially in my washing basket moments. We have a parent each in aged care and it feels like a double cloak of inadequacy and powerlessness. We're supporting my Dad remotely as he is 5 hours away and we visit as often as we can. We're watching my MiL fading, last week she looked at us and said "it's the hardest thing". Yep, no doubt, and for us as well. Bloody. Holidaying, we're trying to find some resilience and balance.
There were two families near the place where I grew up. One family had 12 children and the other had 13 children, there were just 3 children in my family. I never thought much about them because some of the families had children about the same age as me, so we all went to school together.
If a woman has help from her mother and her aunts and family it makes raising a big group of kids so much safer. Thirteen kids is a lot - especially if they were close. I hope they had help.
The mother mostly had the older siblings. The mom told me once it was the cooking when all the kids got older. The girls helped around the house and the kitchen details. She said it was like feeding an army. The boys all worked on the farm which what most of us did back then.
This is wonderful
Thank you Sharon!
I had such a washing basket moment when we moved to the Sound and my husband was in hospital for six weeks. No phone No computers no friends no children at home. It was a stop the world I want to get off time and your washing basket story just shows how I felt. We had just moved to the Sounds so we knew nobody. My daughter was in London and my son in Waitangi, so very far awayWe lived in a small Bay where there were only two other permanent residences and 60 km from the closest town. But we women are strong and we get over it. Daughter came home and the sun came often from the top of the North Island and my husband eventually recovered.
What a story. And you are so right: we carry on, go through it, and eventually the sun will shine.
Such a heartfelt story. I do remember it. And seemingly, like you told you eldest, we all experience washing basket times in life. I do love how you seem to always forge forward when they come your way. Beautiful writing. xo
I think I am due for a few when my new life begins to settle around me. I am still in journey mode! Good morning Diane!
I love this story. I only had two kids but I was very young and the husband at the time wasn't much help. I had a few moments like that. My friends were going to university, travelling and having fun. Later, when they were busy with kids and life, my kids were grown and I was off riding motorcycles around North America and having fun. It all works out. xo
Yes! There was certainly an upside to being such a young mum.
Wow. Don’t know what else to say. Wow.
(I know, not eloquent at all. Just impressed by the story…)
Actually - wow is perfectly lovely. I am like wow - was that me?
A masterclass in storytelling, Cecilia :)
There is a duality of motherhood. I saw this in my own mom. The cyclical nature of it, and the way it demands everything from you while offering little in return. And through it all - you keep going.
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
At the beginning it can feel too much but it does get better. The great thing about a modern woman - now we can (mostly) choose whether to become a mother. Though my kids are glorious and it is great not to be that much older than them - I was WAY too young to be responsible for all that. Alone like that.
I wonder if my mother was sitting in her basket very often. She had 9 kids including a set of twins. I never had a talk with her about it. But, I can imagine.
I bet she had a few moments like that. 9 kids is a lot! My mum had six. But nine sounds like a lot of organization.
Oh, Cecelia. I have been in that basket. Thank you for putting all of those sensations to words.
We all have those moments and i think they are perfectly normal. Learning from them is the hard bit. Good evening Alli!!
I remember this story well... especially in my washing basket moments. We have a parent each in aged care and it feels like a double cloak of inadequacy and powerlessness. We're supporting my Dad remotely as he is 5 hours away and we visit as often as we can. We're watching my MiL fading, last week she looked at us and said "it's the hardest thing". Yep, no doubt, and for us as well. Bloody. Holidaying, we're trying to find some resilience and balance.
It is all so tough. Mum
was on her 40’s dying so - well you know. Hate for you having a double hit of aging parents. Glad you are taking time off for yourself.
I love this story so much. it is so moving and beautiful
It was a long time ago now. We were so isolated in those days - no phones or computers - I cannot imagine it now.
Enjoy California!
Your mother's advice is sage, I will be setting up a table in my washroom. I wish we had a washing line though...
Oh and had to look up chook, can't believe I didn't know that one!