I find myself satiated by the joy this little guy brings with his every hop and bounce into whatever and wherever. He is on the ready with an easy yes when it comes to any adventure under the sun or moon. I no longer think of what I gave up to move across the whole country to prance about with him; I count my lucky stars that we did.
One of my older brothers recently texted me, “We need Hercules today.” This is a guy who spends most days standing in front of the United Nations in New York City with a sign that reads, Peace. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or if everyone is in agreement, but Disney just launched a whole new cruise ship dedicated to heroes, featuring Hercules, and after a three day float around the Bahamas, I would add my resounding yes, a true hero is exactly what we all need. For as Zeus told us, “A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but the strength of his heart.” We lucky ones know someone who fits this definition; I am so grateful that for me it is my younger brother who not only voiced the Disney Hercules but let me tag along on his working holiday aboard the Disney Destiny.
I am that mom who had my kids out the door early. Summer camps and travel experiences led straight to college and beyond. Even if they circled back home they were clear across the country in no time at all. My mom never held me back from life either. Regardless of my questionable decision making, she let the cards fall as they would. When I needed to circle back, she made sure I did not shy away from life for long. All that is to say that I don’t often have them, my children, together in one frame, but last week they stood together for a moment, on a grassy hill, with the latest addition to the clan kicking a soccer ball, ocean pounding along on the horizon and the cobalt blue taking up the vast sky overhead, and I smiled.
Nine Cent Girl 