It's been one of those weeks, with a long weekend and extra days off school upon which the sun shines. Those weeks when the quiet days draw away from you and everything is business and action.Something new and different every day. And everyone seems energised by it.
Galvanised is the word I think.
Galvanised is the word I think.
And some days it's so hard to rush them, because as we fill with light and vigor, it seems too as though we are slowing down, distracted by beauty and the cosmos that is coming alive around us.
Likewise, in school there is a sense of the beginning of winding down towards the end of the year, with little plays and songs for the parents.
So on Saturday we found a fire for Beltane.
In a place of sublime beauty.
A hilltop surrounded by a circle of gentle rolling hills, 360º view that changed from moment to moment.
A quiet gathering.
Then yesterday evening, at last they got to leave something out for The Tardy Fairies...
And oh! The excitement this morning...
If you look closely you will see they left behind a few items which we will treasure for them in case they ever need them again.
Red Dancing Shoes. A tiny scissors. A bottle of pink glitter gloop.
What on earth must THAT be for?
Now, today, The Eldest has turned 14.
And a sticky, tricky chrysalis it is proving to be, this business of teenagerism. Confusing and challenging, and so very hard sometimes.
But he soldiers through it all, believing absolutely in the impermanence of hardship.
And the permanence of Love.
Happy birthday to your eldest... I hope it was a wonderful day for him. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Your sky was very similar to our skies over the weekend. So far away, yet we can still enjoy such similar beauty. However, I wish I could see those rolling hills with my own eyes one day. They look most beautiful. :)
xx
The picture of the kids playing in the water with their toys is priceless. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely! And I will pass on a bit of advice that helped me out not only with my two when they were teenagers but also as a dinner lady in a middle school - ages 11-14 - with 1000 kids. "The best reaction is no reaction at all". Oh, how they love to test the limits, how they love to shock! But if you react mildly or not at all, it takes all the wind out of their sails and mellows them out pretty quickly, ha! It must've succeeded...my two are 31 and 33 now and still hardly ever get off the phone with me without telling me they love me. Birthday blessings to your boy! How fast they grow....
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written words woven with gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your son!
Honestly Ciara, your photos are just stunning. Absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing. Sincerely, Susan
ReplyDeleteyour life has this fairytale quality to it my friend~
ReplyDeletebig mwah!
xx
Nice that you can find some slowing down time. The gifts are so tiny but so precious. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteYour children will grow to be such rounded adults. People to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures and a sound philosophy.
Such beautiful photos and writing -- your children ARE love!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to The Eldest! I can't imagine what it must be like to be mother to a teenager, but I imagine you eased your way into the transition magnificently. The fairy lost and found office is a wonder.
ReplyDeleteOh Ciara, you paint your days so beautifully... what a treasure document of childhood this will be for your young'uns when they are older!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing Beltane fire on top of a hill too..
Love to you all x
I'm ever so happy to have happened upon your blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat an enchanting day that you had, from the look of things.
Nà
Wonderful post, Ciara, and gorgeous photos. I especially love the one of the four of them rolling on the grass together and the two little pixies peering over the fairy table. Pink glitter gloop and red dancing shoes?! There must be a disco in the fairy hall tonight!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos.
ReplyDeleteI love the one of the swings.
And of course, A BIG Happy Birthday to the eldest!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful setting for your Beltane fire—so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ru. Sounds like a gorgeous bank holiday weekend.
ReplyDeletewhat a diversity of great happenings....and hurray! for the fairies, someone sure looks enchanted by it all....
ReplyDeletefeeling the sticky tricky teenagerism love vibe too here .....only another 4 or 5 years left...
This post is just steeped in beauty, and I'm thrilled that the tardy fairies finally came. Your photos, as always, warm my heart and my soul. xoxo Gigi
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled across your glorious blog via Beck at Dandelion. Do lots of people celebrate Beltaine in Ireland or just a few like minded souls?
ReplyDeletePS I noticed in your profile that you like Fleet Foxes. I've just discovered them - such sublime music and lyrics.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are really stunning - such a treat. Thank you.
Happy birthday to you 14 year old! What magical memories you crat for you family. It gives me a warm glow like your fire when I read this post. :) xx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and blessings to celebrations of life. I so loved your posting on the TARDY Fairies, as I too felt that when my children were growing up that time passed too quickly, and my intentions were so high, but time and energy made me feel like I didn't always give them all that I should have. No doubt you are giving them wonderful memories and customs. These are precious and become more so, as they have families, make friends, and in so doing they share and pass your love on to them.
ReplyDeleteKatharina
'Galvanised' is a great word and really ought be used more often. Beautiful photos to tumble through. Here's to birthdays and sunshine and the warmth of family.
ReplyDeleteNice to read you. Photos are awesome, best wishes for the birthday!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the kids playing in the water with their toys is priceless.
ReplyDeletedata entry india
They look most beautiful.
ReplyDeletePPC Advertising India