Homecomings and goings…

It’s a boarder’s long weekend at Dash’s school – so it was with much anticipation that Violet and I went to pick him up yesterday, after he got a lift home from school with a neighbour.

I remember coming home for weekends from boarding school – it was so exciting and I recall trying to make those couple of days streeeeeeetch out!

It’s strange being on the ‘other’ side of that scenario now…

Dash was quietly pleased to be with us. The sun was just setting as we crossed the Big Bridge before our place…

Sunset in rear view mirror, dusk to the east…

We paused here for a few moments… it’s pretty spectacular at this time of day.

The river is like a mirror…

And little bits of peaceful magic shimmy wherever you look. Silhouette reflections and ripples for the win… As the light changed and I zoomed a little…

Dash needed to stretch his legs.  So did Violet.  It turned into a race…

Because that’s how we roll, in our family! I think Dash won but Violet was hot on his heels!

Then, just as the last light was dimming…

Two of our neighbours’ gorgeous Brahman calves decided to pose – they are only a couple of days old and really know no fear.

Mamas were nearby, just out of shot, waiting for them to quit posing and come and settle at their night camp. I know how those Mamas feel… watching and waiting for their young ones to gather themselves and arrive.

We get phone calls most mornings and nights from Dash – that eases this Mama’s fretting.  Second semester is going a bit better as he settles in more – making good mates has helped the process from Year 7 at a 2-teacher school to Year 8 at a BIIIIIIIIG boarding school situation. But I am not gonna lie to you… it ain’t easy.  The times between when he is home a less angst-ridden than those first few months, but still … strange.  Not quite right.

MY Mama sent these out to me – the most glorious roses from her garden.  The scent is heavenly…

That little bud nestled under a full bloom reminds me of the parent-child scenario too. It’s like Violet – still nestled firmly in here.

I’d like to continue this metaphor further, but am pretty sure Dash would NOT like being likened to a flower.

And he doesn’t really like spiders too much either… So even though that little critter, venturing forth from the petals he has been hiding in, facing the bit wide world, is a very tempting analogy… I won’t go there.

See how restrained I am? Heh.

Our weekend will be filled with riding and fishing and driving and eating… with a bit of movie-watching thrown in for good measure.  Actually that’s what’s happening right now as I type this. (‘Madagascar 92’ or something I believe!) All too soon it will be Monday, and I will drive him those three hours back to school.  And while we will celebrate with a nice meal and a few hugs (but not in front of the other boys) I know that within an hour or so of me leaving, he’ll be back having fun and catching up with his mates, comparing notes on their long weekend and generally talking rubbish.

And I will do my jobs, get my treatment and sing very loudly, and very badly, on the way home … passing the time til Dash rings that night to let me know all is well.

🙂

* A big part of me wanted to attend the Pro Blogger Event (#PBevent) at the Gold Coast this weekend. But I didn’t/couldn’t. My boy was coming home, and I wasn’t missing it. I stalked everyone on Twitter instead.  It looked incredible and inspiring and fabulous and fun, but I just had to be here. ‘Cause my boy was here.  And I am a complete sook…