Slow and so beautiful.
Do not mess with this woman.
'This woman' is Mrs. Clara M. of Deerfield Beach, Florida. She is my mother-in-law. I love her, even though she's totally kicking my ass and because she's totally kicking my ass.
See that sweet face? That grin? Those no-nonsense sunglasses? The farmers' market posies? Do not be fooled, this is the crafty disguise of a woman so kickass powerful that she has me doing something I have not done in years:
Clara got me to slow down.
In the past two weeks Clara has been staying with us, I find myself walking with her slowly and deliberately. For those of you who have practiced Zen Buddhism, Clara's pace is not unlike kinhin, conscious and complete movement in the moment, step by step, breath by breath.
Talking with Clara works in the same careful cadence, ('slow conversation', as Edward Vielmetti wisely promotes). Now and again, she will punctuate her sentences with exultations of pure joy:
"NATURE! So BEAUTIFUL!"
"THE DOG! His face is so BEAUTIFUL!"
"THE SUN! So warm and so BEAUTIFUL!"
You can't help but get up from the laptop to check out the source of Clara's inspiration. You'll find her sitting on the deck, waving the stem of a fat Autumn tinged leaf, the dog placidly sitting on her lap, her ivory, lined face uplifted to the sky. So beautiful, indeed.
Tomorrow is Clara's 88th birthday. We will shower her with presents, cards, dinner and cake. Then, I'll be taking her on a slow road trip to Yosemite Valley where we will stay at the elegant Ahwahnee Hotel. I have lived and worked in Yosemite Valley and I've visited countless times, but this will be my first time staying at the Hotel. This will be Clara's first time in the Yosemite, so we're both thrilled.
But, I think Clara would be just as thrilled by sitting with the dog, surrounded by our everyday beauty.
And that, my friends, kicks ass.
Happy, blessed birthday to dear Clara.
She IS magical, then, if she got YOU to slow down :-)
Happy Birthday Miss Clara!
Posted by: Janet | November 17, 2005 at 06:06 AM
We can all learn a lesson from Miss Clara.
Hope she has a wonderful birthday, and you both have a great time on your trip!
Posted by: Laurie | November 17, 2005 at 06:11 AM
Ah, Miss Grace...I would love to see you in action with the slowing down. I remember how you used to move at lightening pace through the mazed of cubicles in our past life together. The might Miss Davis, slowing down? AMAZING! She really MUST be kicking your ass.
Kudos to Miss Clara. She obviously knows something that we don't know. What a great opportunity for you to learn from a master.
Happy birthday, Clara!
Posted by: Kris | November 17, 2005 at 10:19 AM
Beautifully written, Grace. Makes me miss my own sweet mama, who'd have been 89 in August. But, I know exactly what you mean.
Posted by: MaryB | November 17, 2005 at 10:35 AM
Clara sounds like a wonderful MIL - Happy Birthday! (And what a terrific reason to stay at the Ahwahnee! Enjoy!)
Posted by: Donna | November 17, 2005 at 01:40 PM
God Bless her. Sounds like my favorite 88 year-old. She called tonight and I started thinking how nice it would be to spend a day with her.
Soon.
Thanks for this!
Posted by: susanna | November 17, 2005 at 09:01 PM
Everyone needs a Mrs. Clara to help them stop and smell the roses of life. She sounds wonderful--relax and enjoy!
Posted by: Margaret | November 17, 2005 at 09:34 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday Clara.
Posted by: Lin | November 17, 2005 at 10:23 PM
The Ahwahnee kicks ass. Have fun Happy Birthday to Mrs. Clara.
Posted by: Shaunna | November 18, 2005 at 06:17 PM
Happy Birthday, Miss Clara!
We held my great grandmother's 90th birthday party at the Ahwahnee Hotel. Of course, Yosemite was the most beautiful spot on God's green earth, in her humble opinion. I hope you and Clara have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Cori | November 18, 2005 at 09:08 PM
That'a a lovely post, Grace. Clara sounds like a great person to know.
Happy Birthday indeed!
Posted by: Sour Duck | November 19, 2005 at 10:18 AM
It sounds like the two of you together would be firecrackers :)
Happy Birthday Miss Clara :)
Posted by: meeta | November 19, 2005 at 09:21 PM
What a truly lovely lady! And so is Clara!
Posted by: Mamacita | November 20, 2005 at 12:12 PM
Ah, Clara sounds wonderful -- and wise. "Slow down". We need to listen.
Posted by: Tonya | November 20, 2005 at 10:47 PM
What a neat lady she is. I had a fine relationship with my late mother-in-law. I also love people who make me slow down. It makes me imagine what life must have been like before it got so mediated.
Posted by: ComfortAddict | November 23, 2005 at 08:37 AM