Eloise received a giant stuffed panda bear for Christmas. ‘Po’ has now become more treasured than the cat, a bed companion, excellent lounge chair, and is constantly being dragged around the house. He even has a chair at the dining room table as he’s required to take meals with us. Eloise takes him to sleepovers(sorry sleepover-hosting people) and I’m required to kiss him goodnight as I tuck him into bed each night next to her.
Certain sisters use him as a napping stop when Eloise is not at home and must leave Po behind. I might also rest against his soft, fuzzy belly in the cold afternoons.
I was surprised when Eloise asked for a giant stuffed animal for Christmas. It was the only item on her list. Most tweens probably asked for new iThings and video games and cool clothing and things that sparkle or beep.
But she just wanted a soft spot to land each day.
Don’t we all. And I admit that I like Jed even a little more when he wear a soft fleece vest that feels nice when I rest my head on his chest as we snuggle on the couch.
Life can be very hard and sharp some days. This season the winter storms beat on our faces with ice pellets, words can be sharp against us, and love can be complicated. My dry skin cracks and hurts in the same way that the dark days of now can so easily determine bad moods of depression.
Sometimes it’s so hard to see the sun through the gray and to know that when you are home you can find that soft place to land. Soft in heart and love as you are surrounded by your closest trust circle, but also now by an overly large panda bear who has found just the perfect home.
I think Eloise has been feeling a bit ‘alone’ lately. Growing quickly out of little girl looks and wants and into a new chapter of her life. I think she needs me more than she cares to admit, and as a shy girl she’s unwilling to ask questions or inquire about important and even frivolous life things. She’s not a cuddler and will duck away if you try to steal a hug or kiss. She is sharp herself – bony and angular without a physical hint softness to help her land.
But her heart is pure and soft and kind. When you meet her and know her she kind of feels like it does when you watch one of those cute baby panda videos as they slide or play with a ball. You can’t help but smile and feel like the world is pretty much perfect because they are in it.
Maybe that’s why Eloise likes pandas so much.
And I hope that Po will give her the soft landing she needs for many years to come. We all need a friend like him.
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My friends Alison and Greta are hosting a year-long photography project “Through The Lens Thursday” – and I would love for you to click over the learn more about it. The theme this week is ‘soft.’ My goal in 2014 is to meet my camera again. “Hi Camera! I’ve missed you!” and perhaps their project is just the soft kick in the designer skirt I need to get started again.
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In other exciting news – A new site is launching soon called the Twin Cities Mom Blog and I am thrilled to be a contributor! More info coming soon when we launch later this month!
Oh, Tracy, this is so timely for me. My oldest is leaning into me more than ever. She seems almost confused by her need to be close. Last night I stayed in her room brushing her hair as she murmured over and over agin, “I just love you so much.” I think it’s what you reference here so beautifully, searching for a tether in the strange, new world of not-so-little-anymoreness. xo
Amanda recently posted..Resolve to Mean it
This was such a lovely post. Yes, I do think we all need a soft landing every now and then. My 13 year old has been begging for a huge stuffed animal. (However it WASN’T the only thing on her list.) Even though Christmas is over, perhaps I should reconsider when her birthday comes around.
Charlene Ross recently posted..What I Learned in 2013
At 40, I still need a soft place to land. Pass the giant panda.
Shannon recently posted..Soft
What a sweet picture of a girl that’s just a little mischievous, using her sister’s panda. I feel that way sometimes, too, like I would just like to cuddle with something huge and snuggly for a while. Especially in the harsh winter.
Oh Tracy, I love, love, love this.
The giant panda, Eloise’s heart, your heart, and soft landings.
Gorgeous. I love the first picture. Even though the panda is the soft one, Astrid is in focus. her eyes are so bright!
Thank you for playing along. xoxo
Alison recently posted..Through The Lens Thursday #1
I still love a good cozy stuffed animal Everything about that picture is soft and cozy, I love it.
Julia recently posted..Year in Review – Week 3/4
I love Po. I would want to snuggle him, too.
We all need those soft landing spaces, don’t we?
I’m so excited about the Through the Lens project. And I love the picture. My 12 year old isn’t into stuffed animals anymore – but she’s never been much of a stuffed animal kid. Books and music, constant books and music, make her happy. But my 9 year old ALWAYS wants to add lots of soft and cuddly stuffed animals to her life. And fuzzy blankets.
Katie E recently posted..Through the Lens Thursday: Soft
I love what you said about Eloise needing a soft spot for her angles, her boniness.
I know exactly how that feels – to need softness to balance the sharpness. Beautiful post. xoxo
Andrea recently posted..Feel The Burn
I need a soft place lately, I would love to know that my fall won’t be a hard one.
So can I borrow Po?
I love what you say about our children and even us needing that soft place, that safe arena where we can just be ourselves.
sending lots of FLEECE-like hugs