Missing

Top Ten: I miss...

1. My BODY

It's true, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. Two kiddos, two c-sections, in less then two years and a lack of exercising have made me less then happy with my body. However, it's nothing a little spanx can't help.

2. TEACHING

There's something magical about witnessing a child learn to read. Their eyes glimmer, their smile widens, as that "a-ha" moment comes, and the satisfaction in the pit of my belly, knowing it was me.
I did that.
I miss that.

3. SWIMMING

Once upon a time, I was in a pool close to twenty-four hours a week. Back and forth, following the black line, on a trip to no where. The perfume of chlorine permeated every crevice, which no amount of soap, perfume, or lotion could remove. Still, every time the smell of chlorine (or even bleach) meets my nose, I'm suddenly transported back.

4. LABOR DAY PICNICS

Growing up, my family would host a picnic every Labor Day weekend. Over 100 people, friends, family, extended family, neighbors, would pile into our backyard, covered dish or dessert in hand, for eight hours. We'd borrow our neighbors picnic tables and others would bring their own lawn chairs. My dad on the grill with a beer in hand or behind the horseshoes while my mom rarely rested, finding another serving spoon, or making another container of lemonade. Grandparents, great aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, family...so many would make the yearly pilgrimage.
Once a year, complete chaos, but so much fun.

5. SLEEP

Some morning, I will be able to pull the sheets back up under my neck and roll over, returning back to slumber. Now, it's just a dream. If I want more sleep, I need to go to bed early and pray no one wakes up.

6. FRIDAY NIGHT

Not one spent in my pajamas, on the computer with a bowl of ice cream, instead dressed to the nines, in make up, at a place with no high chairs, nursing a Cosmo or a tanquery and tonic, while waiting for first course, at 10 pm.
Sigh...

7. RELAXING AT THE BEACH

Towels, swim diapers, pails, shovels, sunscreen, chair, baby on hip, weaving the umbrella laced beach searching for a spot to unpack with a clear sight line to the water.
"No! Don't eat the sand!"

"No! Stay close!"
"No! Don't run into the water without mama!"

"Seriously, don't eat the sand!"

 Give me a book, a towel, three to four hours, and get the f--k out of my way!
That's what I miss.

8. HAVING CONTROL OF THE RADIO IN THE CAR

I am thankful for Laurie Berkner Band and the CD's from music class, however I miss Dave (Grohl), Eddie (Vedder), Dave (Matthews), and Bono.

9. MY HOMETOWN (in retrospect)

Having grown up in the same town as many generations before, I had connections. My friends would joke I was related to everyone, and it truly seemed that way. Familiar faces were abound, at the local stores, church, YMCA. I always knew someone.

10. FACES

There are so many faces I have lost over the years. Some to death, some to distance, and others just to age and to "life happening". Occasionally, a face will enter my mind, perhaps a moment that brings a smile to my face, or a memory brought on from an action in the present, and their loss becomes clear.

Super duper Monday is back!
These Listicles are the best thing since sliced bread. Forget bread, best thing since cake, chocolate one too! You all warm my heart, with both content and the effort you put into them. Nothing makes me happier then seeing how much you visit each other’s posts, not just the linked ones, but throughout the week. You all rock and rule!I kept thinking about all the things and people and occasions I miss and thought of so many. But when the time came to sit down and write them I struggled. Which I will take as a great sign. Life is good, when there is not much missing in it…