Guest Blog by Camille Speck
My mom called me at work today. “It’s urgent. I need an egg.” I knew she didn’t mean the kind of egg laid by a chicken either. Her desire was focused on the seasonal Cadbury chocolate eggs. “I’m all out of eggs and I need you to get me one.”
I told her I’d walked to work, and I would not be able to zip to the store until later. The sound of her iPad tuned to some historical thing blared in the background. “Keep it on your radar. Put it in your hopper. Your father won’t get me one. I’m hoping you’ll help me.” I told her I’d see what I could do.
After dinner I remembered her call so I headed off to Safeway. As I was about to check out with a 4-pack of the precious eggs, I noticed a display of singles by the register: 2 eggs for $1.50. But wait. The 4-packs were $4.49. What kind of new math was this anyway?
I returned the 4-pack and counted 12 singles into my basket. (I mean if you’re not going to go big for your mother, why bother?) Then I chucked a bag of Reese’s peanut butter eggs in the basket for my dad. He has a not-so-secret jones for Reese’s.
Arriving at their house, I surprised them in their TV hour. Both were tickled with my offering. We visited for a bit as my dad tried to discourage my mom from tearing into her eggs. Apparently, she’d already polished off one (or more) earlier in the day. I suggested he slowed her roll by hiding them about the house and leaving daily clues where to find them. We had a good laugh about that, and I pushed off for home.
Walking up the dark path from their house to their parking area, I savored the deafening song of the frogs echoing over from Froggy Bottom. The pregnant moon peeked through the clouds and for a moment I was suspended in wonder as a wave of gratitude washed over me.
I love this place I call home. I love my parents and I’m so fortunate I’m here, where I can readily answer the emergency call for a chocolate egg. The world has weighed heavily on my shoulders for weeks, nay, months. It is exhilarating to have all of that fall away just for a moment so my eyes, heart, and mind can see and feel the beauty that surrounds me.
Life is especially sweet if you can find magic in the mundane.
#mywildandpreciouslife
#lovetheplaceyoulive
I envy you having family so close. But QUUF is the next best thing. It feels like my second home with lots of brothers and sisters and children and grandkids. The pledge event Saturday felt like a huge family reunion!
Doesn’t it seem like those singing frogs are the back drop of many of our lives here, unifying us all in a gentle “noticible or not” breeze blowing through. I’m so happy to know Janice and Ray and I love them….And your writing is so cool!
What a sweet moment and what a simple joy. Thank you
Camille, I love this post. Honestly it’s the little moments like you describe here that keep me positive and happy. It’s always been that way. And well done treating mom and dad too!
Oh, Camille, you speak of a moment of sanity and wonder and it brought tears of gratitude. Thank you for sharing so I, too, can have a moment. Gotta love those Froggy Bottoms’ frogs joy-filled song!
It is a particular form of joy to be aware of beauty around us and in our lives. You said it so well, Camille.