Tuesday November 20th, 2007
My oldest little girl seems to be growing up even more on this trip. I can almost see her gains, and leaps, and strides as they are happening.
She is having trouble sleeping in the middle of the night because of the time difference still. She doesn’t get upset, she doesn’t whine…she just quietly walks over to my room, knocks on my door and whispers: I can’t sleep, Mama.
I go into tuck her in, to make sure she’s warm and safe in an unfamiliar house, and she asks me to sing. I tell her it will have to be a whisper-song, and I sing to her. When I leave, she is still wide awake, but I don’t hear from her again the rest of the night. She is making some adult-sized choices.
Today we went to Ely to see the cathedral. It is beautiful and big and it is the first time Hope has seen anything like it at all. She calls them Castle-Churches. They have a childrens‘ map and the older girls took off looking in the corners and among the statues and stained glass for the clues. They found the shrine of St. Ethelreda from 674 AD and they also found the tomb of a beheaded bishop from 991 AD.
For a minute I couldn’t find Hope, and then I saw her, by herself, staring at the art at the altar in a small chapel. She was alone and quiet and studying what she saw. I walked up behind her and asked her about what she saw. She said, “This is AMAZING, Mama”.
She reminded me of myself. Not at that age, but of me now: 
searching for art in the mundane, seeing beauty for beauty, being awed by the ancient.
searching for art in the mundane, seeing beauty for beauty, being awed by the ancient.
It is truly beautiful to witness her grow up in this way.
Oh how they grow up so fast! What a beautiful, beautiful post. I sit here with tears in my eyes as I read of your wonderful adventures and of how your little Hope is maturing and chaging right before your eyes – it is so bittersweet. I know that feeling all too well.
so sweet.
it is so fun to peak at your vacation/visit.
do the English have a ‘yeah their gone’ party on thanksgiving?
my sister in law also lives there. tells me the cost of everything is ridiculous.
keep sharing.
Isn’t is neat to see your child gorwing up? (although a little bittersweet) The pictures are gorgeous!
You are so far away–makes me miss you even more! So glad you are having a good trip. great pics. xoxo
Look at me – not thinking you’d blog while away! I have to catch up now!
I loved this post. Making adult sized choices…such great words. She is a little treasure.