After a fairly stress-filled day, Saturday afternoon suddenly calmed down. Eldest is away for a week on his DofE and we had finally sorted out all his camping equipment and food needs. He, although ready mentally for his expedition, found the actual physical effort of putting together his paraphernalia almost beyond his ability. He languidly slouched about the place having seemingly lost all capacity to speak, his only activity was to check his cell phone or to change his music. Gah! My teeth were beginning to wear away with all the grinding.
Then, I had had enough.
I dramatically pronounced that I was going to pack a picnic and we were going to eat out somewhere in the cool of the evening air. Initially startled by my sudden demand, Youngest and Himself soon got into the swing of things and joined in. Eldest moved marginally quicker......barely discernable but enough to give me hope!
We parked up near the village of Airton and dropped down to the river's edge. Swallows screeched overhead as they hunted for flying insects.
Eldest and Himself carried the picnic on ahead as I took photos.I smiled as the teenager began to morphose back into my son.
We ate homity pie (cheese, onion and potato) still warm from the hasty baking, salad and crusty bread. There was a definite congenial air as we chatted and laughed. Eldest relaxed and we spoke about this and that, my heart skipping with joy as whole loquacious paragraphs fell from his mouth instead of the usual neanderthal grunts.
After we'd eaten, the boys went down to the river to skim stones. Himself and I sat in companionable silence surrounded by buttercups and swallows.
I sat in Gertie, quietly enjoying the evening, sad that it was winding down and Eldest seemed to have exhausted his conversation and was beginning to retreat back to his cell phone. Texting his girl taking precedence to talking to his mom, hey ho..... I will just have to treasure those few short hours when he was mine again :)
Your picnic looks delicious and you have regaled your tale in pictures. Really lovely!
ReplyDeleteYes, relish those precious moments. Eldest will be back when he is ready! I cannot remember what it was like to be his age....
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you won't lose him forever. I think unplanned simple outings are often the best.
ReplyDeleteOh I did enjoy your post Hawthorn - beautifully (real!) family orientated! Love all your pics, and love Gertie - how gorgeous is she! And that pie - words escape me - absolutely delectable! Well done on getting the picnic organised so quickly - impromptu is often best!
ReplyDeleteGreat weekend to you and yours - and may coherent language flow!
Joy x
I have a 15 year old son who is going through "a phase" of being permanently attached to his phone. He doesn't seem to hear anyone talking to him. :(. So I end up shouting - which isn't a great way to start a conversation. Hoping this phase doesn't last too long.
ReplyDeletePS - just found your blog!