Mother's Day

Mom, Kathleen, and a wagon
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Our little family spent last Mother's Day at the polo field on Oahu's North Shore... It was a beautiful day and an amazing way to spend my very first Mother's Day. I knew that this year would be different with Jim away, and a part of me dreaded it a little. But even though we missed him very, very much, he and my family made this Mother's Day very special, too.

Jim somehow managed (even though he's in the midst of change-of-command inventories) to have purchased an incredible collection of potions and lotions and other goodies from Origins and have them sent to my parents' house, along with some framed photographs of me and Kathleen. The gifts made me feel so pampered! But even better than the presents was that Jim managed to call. Being able to talk to him and hold our little girl (girls, really, I suppose) was the best gift of all. My parents were equally generous in recognizing my second Mother's Day, and we, along with my sister Caroline and her husband Craig, enjoyed a very tasty brunch.

This afternoon Grandma, Kathleen, and I took a walk with the wagon. Kathleen loved being pulled around and seeing the other folks out walking their dogs, riding their bicycles, and enjoying the sun and views of the San Francisco Bay. After walking for a while, we stopped and Kathleen ran off a bundle of energy, kicking her ball. (I can hardly wait until she's old enough to enroll in youth soccer. She's a natural, which obviously comes from her father, and not from me!) Kathleen also discovered ladybugs, which fascinated her. She loved letting the ladybug crawl along her arm and laughed when the ladybug tried to fly away but instead ran into her cheek - twice! When the ladybug was finally successful in its escape, Kathleen inspected the grass quite intently, hoping to find another. She makes me laugh!

Kathleen is such a joy to me. She's funny and inquisitive and sweet and stubborn and fiery and smart. Being her mother is more of a blessing and more of a challenge than I ever could have dreamed. And each morning when I pick up my smiling, giggling girl and each evening when I snuggle and sing with my tired toddler, I know that this is the best and hardest job in the world, the only one I've ever wanted, and the only one I'll ever really love.