shine on girl

last night we had more fireworks- on a perfect new england evening.  it was beautiful.
and it came after a beautiful day. 

yesterday we went to my friends house- my friend who has 9 children- 8 of them still living at home.  she also has chickens and a great yard with two tree houses and a trampoline, an rv parked in the driveway (like a third playhouse) and a lake - so it's basically like a kids paradise.  my boys loved it.  zoe loved it.  she could engage and retreat- be in the water- be with the animals- be with the kids- be alone.  it was a day of natural play- and it made me so happy.  i was happy for my boys to feel free and i was happy for zoe to feel normal- to be able to relax- after several days of upheaval and being 'off'.  it was good.

after a delicious birthday dinner for my mom-in-law and my sister-in-law, we headed out to a fireworks party at 'poppi's' (my father-in-laws) church. and zoe had one of her zoe shine moments- the kind when i feel warm inside like things will be OK (eventually) like she has what she needs to get where she needs to go in life.

there was an older guy sitting with his crutches alone by where they were handing out ice cream for the kids.  he's a retired teacher- a parishioner at the church- with bad arthritis.  zoe was introduced to him by her 'popi' who is the minister at the church and they became fast friends.  they talked the entire hour we were there- she helped him move his chair to be closer to the fireworks- she shared about moving to uganda- he explained why light travels faster than sound- at least those were the bits i overheard.  they were so engaged in their discussion that they were missing the fireworks.  i tried to go get zoe - so she could see them and be with us- but it was like she knew something- she knew something was more important.   when it was over and i was gathering the kids in the car,  he said "that is one special girl you have!"
"yes, she is" i said.  she shook his hand and thanked him for talking.
i loaded the boys in their seats and turned around to grab zoe. she was giving him a hug.
she ran back to the car and turned and shouted "mr. jd you're wonderful!"

when we got home- i told her i was sorry she'd missed the fireworks but that she'd done a great job of talking with jd- that i was proud of her.
"it's OK mom, i could tell he needed a friend- i just had a sense. i'm good like that."

yes zoe- you are.  if only i could remember your heart.  if only i could remember you do have a sense- you do have the ability to reach those that most people walk right by- your kindness reaches out - you are real- you are pure- you have much to teach me.