Here’s what I can do
Chew gum
Write
Spell
Stand on my head for the longest amount of time
Stand on my toes
Get dizzy and fall down
Make a terrible face
And here’s the thing of it
Most of the time I’m on the telephone
Eloise (© 1955 by Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, Simon and Schuster, Inc. New York) is one of my favorite childhood books. These snapshots are from my very old, yellowed copy.
I remember pouring over the pages and detailed illustrations, loving Eloise’s life. In retrospect, it wasn’t because she lived at the Plaza hotel with room service, a driver, tremendous independence, a really cool nanny, and a dog named Weenie and Turtle named Skipperdee. [The completely absent father and no-show mother was actually quite sad.]
The real magnificence of Eloise for me was her lightness in being, her precociousness, and how she just flowed from adventure to adventure — often in her mind.
So while as a wife and mother of six young children it’s not realistic to go completely Eloise in 2012, I’m going to trend more in her direction as much as possible.
I am Lisa
I am 43
Here’s what I can do
Play the french horn
Write
Soothe babies
Cook
Make awesome playlists
Appreciate good humor
Do full wheel in yoga (yahoo!)
Get dizzy (no balance function in my left ear – how’s that for random?)
And here’s the thing of it
I’m really pretty happy most of the time these days. And OK with the sad times, too.
Happy, healthy, more-lightness-in-being to you, my friends.
This is great, Lis! You forgot to mention what a great listener you are <3
As are you, my sweet friend. Thinking of you tonight and wish we were together!
I remember Eloise! Full wheel might come for me this year. Lightness is sweet, thank you for this.
Such a good connection, winsomebella…full wheel is about being light! Six months ago it seemed impossible. Building upper body strength was part of getting there, but feeling lighter on this earth for that final push made all the difference. Big smile. Happy new year; I just love your writing.
Elise is amazing. Also, SiX children??? Wow. You are hardcore!!
Thanks, Mary Klein! I’m a lucky one, especially because I have a husband who is a rock star father and friend. And hardcore is just an illusion…a look behind the curtain reveals the truth: generally making it but sometimes totally losing my cool, staying up way too late for “me time,” and lots of grey hair (that I color). But I wouldn’t change a thing, except trying to get to sleep more. 🙂
love this.
Love your writing, Rachel. You’re there! Thank you.
Very sweet! I love Eloise and you!
You are one of the greats, Kendall! Thank you.
You are a wonderful person, friend and writer! Lovin’ your blog, Lisa. <3
Big, big smile all the way to where you are, my friend. I miss you and thank you so much. Can’t wait until you are home and we can practice together!