Thursday, August 2, 2012

Listen

For the last five weeks I have listened...


Listened for a ping on my phone signaling a text.

Listened for that specific ring tone; Red Tea. So fitting for the girl that loves tea.

Listened to a voice filled with excitement as she recounts her day's adventures.

Listened to the stories about people and places on the reservation where they spend their days.

Listened as I heard about others on the summer project with her. Feeling as though I am getting to know them through her voice.

Listened as I heard a part of her heart falling in love with Montana. A part that was left there, to grow, so that she can return to reclaim it. 

Listened last night with joy in my heart as that voice shared stories and adventures from the backseat during the three hour ride home from Chicago. Finally, attached to that voice is the presence of my beautiful girl.

*Day 19 topic for the Ali Edward's 31 Things class

8 comments:

Kate said...

Lovely, glad she is home!

terriporter said...

Oh, Sarah, this is absolutely beautiful! I can so relate as I listened for the ring tone of my son for the past three years as he was clear across the country in law school. I listened to his excitement as well as his stress as he studied for finals. Sometimes I couldn't go to sleep at night for worrying about him and then the next day he would call and all was well again. It's like that Elizabeth Stone quote: “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” So true! Happy for you that she is home!

Jessica said...

Terri! Oh thank you for mentioning that quote!! It's been on my mind for awhile now and I didn't even know where to start to figure out where it was from!!

Sarah, this was lovely. Since my oldest will be a senior this year I'm starting to get an inkling of what is coming....big sigh!

Unknown said...

Your writing went straight to the heart! Enjoy having your daughter home!!

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Oh, our children, we would walk miles for them... even though mine have left the nest I still worry they are my babies after all
Such a thoughtful post love it......

Roxi H said...

Very poetic. Love your blogging.

Sherri B. said...

What a lovely post...there's nothing the better than the sound of happiness in your child's voice.

Anonymous said...

What an echo of all the hearts of the mama's with children near and far...
Laurie @ Pride in Photos