Making those sweetheart pins reminded me of the days when little ones were playing on the floor nearby. Tea with other mothers in the neighborhood, knitting, crafting, sharing all those issues about mothering, wifing. I think Valentine's Day in general makes me very nostalgic for my girls when they were little. I happened upon this magnet on our fridge. Dede made it of Mo when she was a year old. I remember that day- now 18 years ago. We were at her house-- baby Zoe and baby Mo playing, running to Dede waiting with her camera. I remember the pink sweater, the dress I made for her, the baggy tights, the drooling chin, the feel of that wiggly babe in my arms.
I remember the day that we took this picture of Maggie too, 23 years ago. Out in the country, she was watching that big bold goose, Tom, through Grampa's cabin screen. Not going out there, he's hissing at me. We shooed him away, got wet in the shore of the lake chasing frogs, happy with Erin outside in the weather. I remember that sweater too, the way the sleeves were too tight for her chubby baby arms. The hand-me-down corduroy overalls, her wispy hair. I remember the way she made us laugh even then, funny baby Mags laughed as if she were at a cocktail party. Such a charmer.
My girls, my valentines.