He's six now, this sun bathed baby. My first born. My breath of air right from the blue sky above. I look at this photo and remember that his brother wasn't born yet. I was five months pregnant and yes, in a bikini at the beach. That's my butterfly tattooed ankle there in the background. I can taste those fish and chips, no they were not fries... chips people, chips. And feel the baby squirming beneath the already taunt skin across my belly. There in that moment I felt like the mother I always imagined, my hopes immense like the sea beneath the warmth of that sun. Happy and settled. The new year just begun and summer in full swirl of sand and beach picnics...September in Queensland (which is a state in Australia if you aren't too sure) is the beginning of the season of seagulls and sun, water babies and bare feet. How I love bare feet. We live but 35 minutes from the Gold Coast and 5 minutes from local beaches.
Today my youngest, the one I am pregnant with in this photo who is now two, was watching kids programs when a song came on that made me think of finding this picture. The song talks about the sun coming out after a long winter and the edges of ice melting...
That's how I feel today. Like the sun is coming... in many ways, the sun is coming. I feel like I have waited a life time. Maybe I have. And in many ways those rays are already touching my life. "Here comes the sun, little darling..." You know the song? I can't think of the name..
Just wanted to share the happy thought. I love summer in Australia. Wood burning BBQs and seafood and the promise of lots of drippy ice-blocks. Happiness. I am glad seasons turn. Especially those of the heart.
What about you? Does your season have sunshine, even if you are heading into winter?
In Texas, summer is starting to wind down from its 100+ days, for which I am extremely glad! We have had 4 straight days of rain, which is rare for Texas. It has been relaxing to my soul...I love it! Fall is short here, but it is my favorite time of year. After such hot summers, the cool touch of wind brings restoration to me. Invigorating and motivating. :) Loved you picture...what a cutie!
ReplyDeleteTexas summers... wow. I imagine they'd be a bit like ours with that kind of heat. And I love the rain too. :)
ReplyDeleteWe've only been to Australia in winter... we're famous for our off-season traveling! And I love the fall we're having here. September has always been the start of the "real" New Year for us...
ReplyDeleteI live in the NW U.S. in a place where we have all of the seasons. It can get up to 100+ in the summertime and down to 10 below in the winter. I love every season, but my favorite is the fall-- when the leaves on the trees turn red and yellow and the temperature is crisp in the morning and gorgeous by afternoon. I do wish we lived closer to the beach though! My oldest is 5 and when she was a baby we visited the coast, and we had to keep her from eating sand all day :)
ReplyDeleteIt's unseasonably hot here in B.C. Dipping below zero at night but up to 39C during the day. We'll be pulling out the woolies soon though. Lucky you heading into your summer! Enjoy the warmth!
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer, Tabitha! Ours is starting to end and I'm sad. Somehow I missed it this year! I really felt like I wasn't able to enjoy it as much or something. I really love fall, but I am sad to see summer go.
ReplyDeleteAwww!!! Is it almost summer there? Your baby is sooo sweet! Six huh? They grow so fast. I love your poetic posts!
ReplyDeleteSummer is ending here, but I suppose I still have sunshine. I'll keep that in mind. And let me just say, good for you wearing a bikini when you were pregnant. I'm impressed. :)
ReplyDeleteHi! "Here comes the sun." That is the tile ;)
ReplyDeleteAND I live close to OUR beaches. Hmmmm.
Fall in the air here. Time for me to hibernate and begin making soup. BUT, I am a winter baby, so I feel liberated by the early nightfall and cold mornings. Call me crazy. ALSO I love the end of a year. I love the idea of the possibilities of 2010. Yeah, Call me crazy.
Your post is lovely. Your writing is strong. I hope the revisions are going well, because that book needs to be published!
What a great picture. It's interesting that you're just getting sun as we're enjoying the last days of summer sun here. The air has changed, the days grow shorter way too fast, and so every minute of warmth and brightness feels like such a gift. Enjoy your beach days.
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida so yes, our winters are still sunny. :-) Even if it's not warm, I'll look outside and forget that it's winter because the sky is so blue and the sun so bright!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet pic. :-) I wore bikinis when I was pregnant too. LOL
It's notoriously sunny here in Alberta even when it's -40 (celsius) below. I actually like it better that way.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that song. Always reminds me of Parent Trap.
Like sherrinda, I'm in Texas, so I'm happy to have fall coming. The blazing heat has been around long enough. Give me the cozy fall and winter.
ReplyDeleteI say bring on the new season. I'm starting to see the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI live in Iowa - the heart of the Midwest in the U.S. and we experience every season with great intensity. Freezing cold winters. Humid, hot summers. I just wish spring and fall lasted longer!
ReplyDeleteHappy summertime! And your boy is SO cute!
I'm with you on summer Tab, bring it on. Drippy iceblocks, that evokes some memories right there. Raspberry popsicles are my faves. Mmm.
ReplyDeletePS thankyou for your comment on my blog and yes, if you would like to use the story I'd be totally honored :D
Hi Tabitha,
ReplyDeleteGreat site! Thank you for offering to read my new book, Gateway To DreamWorld. I mailed your RC a few days ago and you should be receiving it soon.