Monday 28 February 2011

Greatitudes 331 - 345

If I was Angela I would be able to tell you everything you want to know about Belfast's Giant's Ring. I could tell you tales of Celtic settlements and ritual burials that would thrill you as much as the startling blue skies and the vast expanses of the enclosure thrilled us on Saturday. Their first sight of it stopped the boys in their tracks before they went hurtling and whooping down and through and round and over.

And if I was Pom Pom I would have had my camera to capture the magical door in the base of the ancient tree where the faeries went to tell the leprachauns that St Patrick's Day is nearly upon us again and plans must be made!

If I was Theresa I would be able to take a decent photograph of beauty, one worthy of her beauty and talent and generosity, and I would be able to express even close to adequately how very much I love this precious tile that crossed the Atlantic last week, alone and whole.

And if his was any other teacher I wouldn't have at all allowed us to be starting homework so late tonight. I wouldn't have kept the music on and let us lounge around on the floor. I wouldn't have left Mattman doing writing exercises from three years ago. But because she is his teacher I knew that a year of weeping and testing and worry has passed and that the suspected special one is really quite, quite ordinary. And I rejoiced instead of failing when I heard myself tell him that yes, he could do more Maths after supper.

So I'll rejoice instead of failing despite the fact that I haven't greatified since November, despite the fact that I am no Ann, and if you'd like to rejoice with these less tearful strawberries leave a word and we'll giveaway to a lucky chosen one a copy of Mattman's favourite book. Which is also a celebration of my being one third of the way through my target thousand!

10 comments:

Elizabethd said...

There is always something, however small , to put in a 'gratitudes' list!

Gabe said...

but you are you. . .amazing and wonderful all in yourself!

And it sounds like you are a wonderful mother, relaxed, calm and enjoying every moment of it!

Pom Pom said...

Hooray! You've reminded me to pull out my list again. I had stashed it in my school bag. I do love the sound of your weekend. You are a fun family!

Pamela said...

I've enjoyed looking through your blog and reading your thoughts. I like links that take me to other friends. Thank you for following my blog. I've signed up to follow you, too.

Floss said...

I adore the kist burials. They are so evocative of 'something' (and this is a former archaeology student talking).

I am another teacher whose sons do homework on the floor. Perhaps it is more widespread than teachers would like to admit?

Thank you for your grateful news.

And the word verification is 'grace'. That has NEVER happened to me before

Catherine said...

Isn't that what floors were made for?!!!

Thankfulness....is it possible to be thankful for fractions and percentages and the continuous blank look they produce?!!!

Cx

Angela said...

Floss is the expert on 'henges' not me! I do know that this one was probably built by the Beaker People - whose name fascinated me as a child, I imagined them all sitting round with their handle-less cups!
And MY word verification is "Revered" - your blog is obviously working in 'holiness mode' today!!
Blessings on you and yours

magsmcc said...

Well now, so much to learn from comments! Not so sure about the calm bit though! Will be googling kist and beaker tres bientot!

Gumbo Lily said...

But you are YOU, and how wonderful that is!!

As soon as I saw the rock picture, I though "Stone Henge" and wondered about it. Please tell more.

Jody

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I'd like to know more about the rocks, too. Maybe just grandiose yard art? Tell us, tell us!

xofrances

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