I've have often heard that it is so wonderful to have grandchildren arrive and how wonderful it is to see them go. This bit of common wisdom does not ring true in this old house.
How quiet it is. For two weeks the house was filled with the laughter of big and little girls. My younger daughter's tummy bulges with a little boy. His presence will be welcome. His daddy was caught in a world of whirling estrogen. He did himself proud, but I am sure the presence of a son will do something to even the scales.
What fun we had. No big puzzles were pieced. Hallmark Grandma barely made an appearance. Auntie made some cookies and pies. Mary down the road, by the turn of the river, seems to be always a source of all things good. But Kendie and baking sheets just don't seem to be a go. The adults on the porch watched endless performances on the front lawn. Toys from another time got a good play. The house was fully explored. Bowls were filled with raspberries.
The days were filled with adventures. We gathered scallop shells at the end of the harbour, we "discovered" two hundred pound huge sunfish trapped by the the weir, The little girls raced their hearts out on the low tide flats at Scott's Bay. We ate lunch at an out door market.
The biggest adventure of all was a hike up the nearby creek with bathing suits and lunches. A friend had cleared an old path along the water, up to a deep swimming hole. We sat down in the speckled light of ash, tamarack, maples and hemlock . A small falls chuckled down into the swimming spot as small falls are meant to do. The water was cold. I, as always, was a temperature wimp. Thankfully the true Nova Scotian bred and born are a stronger sort. They led the little girls into deep water. The kids squealed with the delight of overcoming something new and different and somewhat scary.
The cameras caught most of it, but the pictures that are most important are the ones that were captured in hearts and memories.
The house remains a little lonely. I miss the chaos of it all. Hallmark cards misses the more complicated, intense moments that are part of real family life.
Within days, maybe weeks a new little life will join the clan. As with all babies he will bring joy and chaos. He will be so welcome. We'll discover how a little boy changes our future adventures.
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