Just Write –Today and every Tuesday, I am joining Heather in her brilliant idea to freewrite.  I love this idea as it frees me up from having to ponder too long for a topic.  Click through to her blog for the details and her own Just Write.

I looked in the rear view mirror as I drove too fast to get the kids to school on time for their sibling pictures.  I don’t know why I can’t get my crap together to leave on time each day.  There is a reason my license plate in high school read Illbl8.  I am often late.  As I looked at my precious cargo, my heart swelled with pride, happiness, and the knowledge of just how blessed I am to parent these two amazing kids.  We pull into the parking lot and frantically search for where the before school sibling photos are being shot.  The kids school offer the option of having siblings get a photo taken together on picture day in addition to their individual photos.

They stood side by side as they waited for their turn and it just hit me, the love they have for each other–the bond that will stay with them through life.  The gift they are not only to us but to each other.  I watched as they sat on the stump and the photographer told them to “act like you like each other!”  Zoë immediately put her head on her brother’s shoulder and looked up at him with shear adoration in her beautiful brown eyes.  Noah smiled that smile that will melt hearts every day for the rest of his life.

I tell them it’s time to get their lunch boxes and get to class–they plead to stay and watch the pictures while I run the car.  They sit side by side on the seat and look on with interest.  They are both observers of life and action.  They love to watch, observe, take in, and figure out.  I rush to the car and back and they are still sitting side by side, talking and watching.  It still gets me when I see them like this.  It is so special.  We quickly walk into school and Noah asks for his lunch box and if he can go to his classroom.  Zoë asks as well.  I give them their lunch boxes and they bound onward in their own little world where everything is rainbows and bunnies.  I walk slowly behind soaking it all in and allowing them their independence.

Zoë carefully carries the pictures she painted last night for her teachers anxious to present them to each teacher.  Their tiny hearts are so full of love and trust and innocence.  I watch and hope that it lasts as long as possible.