Magic Marker Best shot Monday
Hosted by “Tracy” at “Mother May I,” but the photo-picture below will whizz you right there with one click.
It's just another ordinary day. The sort of day that is really no different from any other day, except that it isn't.
“Mum!”
“Yes dear?”
“I am need.”
“What do you need dear?”
“I am need……….make a few invention that is never been made before.”
“Oh……that could be a bit tricky. What did you have in mind?”
“Ingredients.”
“Ingredients?”
“Yes for my new drink or maybe soup?”
I look at my son who does not drink soup and to date only drinks water and chocolate milk, if it is exactly the right temperature.
“Ah. How can I help?”
“I am get a bowl for my new invention.” I glance at the clock, two minutes home from school, three minutes until we leave for therapy.
“Maybe we should do this later, after therapy?”
“No. Get me.”
“Get you what dear?”
“No I am be get myself.” He flies to the fridge, a domestic appliance that is not on his radar. He heaves open the door to peer and mutter, “now let me see…..ah yes! Dat is what I am be needing.” I watch as he grabs the gallon container of milk. I do not believe he has ever held a container of milk before. He removes the cap, demonstrating superb fine motor skills and a heretofore unknown enthusiasm as he sloshes a cupful or two into a very large soup bowl. The fridge remains open as he selects orange juice and does likewise. He does not drink orange juice nor has he ever held a carton before. I watch mesmerized as he flies back and forth from fridge to counter adding mustard, ketchup, chocolate sauce and mayonnaise. He uses no protection. He uses no tools to avoid physical contact with any of the substances.
“What it is?”
“Er……?”
“Dis fing dat I am using for my cook.”
“Mayonnaise dear.”
“Ooo dat is right, gotta love dah mayo.” Be still my beating heart. These are condiments that have been un-nameable and untouchable. He does not wear gloves. “I fink it is be needing dah one more fing.”
“Indeed,” I sputter blanched.
“Ah! I am be having dah whipped cream.” With the dexterity of the finest chef de patisserie he flicks off the top, inverts the can and sprays six inches of piped cream, a floating island of wonderfulness. “Carry!”
“Pardon?”
“Um…..you be carry it to dah table for dah decorations.” I lift the soup bowl and bear it towards the dining room table, in the centre for all to admire his creation. “I am be get dah latest fing.” He skitters across the room brandishing a jar of Maraschino cherries. I watch as his digits dive into the red syrup to retrieve a single stalk with a plump fruit to plop into the pillow of cream. He grins hugely at his feat, “an dat my fine friends, is dah perfick!” I feel a prick in the corner of my eye, because I know that eyes lie and my vision is untrustworthy. My brain is too wormy to manage coherent speech as his dad arrives to whisk them away to therapy. “Quick mom!”
“Er…….”
“I am need.”
“What do you need dear?”
“A container.”
“Why love?”
“I am be take my ingredient soup drink to therapy, for Janis, so she can be dah lucky taster.” I pour and slop the soup, snap on the lid and pass it over. As the garage door slams shut I pause, lean against the counter and consider. I may be the middle of the day but it is definitely the middle of the night, a dream, unreal and surreal. My daughter appears, “aren't yah gonna clear up that disgustin muck Mom?” I look at the counter, covered in disgusting muck. It is definitely mucky and there is a void in the middle where the container once was. I touch the muck, just to check that it is really wet, that it is real and it is.
Lucky Janis.
p.s. If anyone doubts the dedication of therapists, I am happy to report that since Janis is such a jolly good egg, she did indeed sip the concoction. Her assessment was whilst it was not exactly to her taste it was a thoroughly powerful brew. Yeah Janis!
November 17th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I am speechless.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:45 am
There must be something in my eye. My vision has suddenly gone all blurry and my cheeks feel wet.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:42 am
That is truly amazing stuff. Yay Janis for tasting the amazing invention.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Wow, that’s fantastic! Talk about coming along in leaps and bounds!
November 17th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Eek! no! not Mayo!
And the therapist? Truly one-of-a-kind. Wow!
November 17th, 2008 at 3:04 am
How exciting! Especially the cherry on top, that’s my favourite part
November 17th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Amazing. Truly. And that Janis deserves a bonus!
November 17th, 2008 at 4:25 am
oh my, just oh my…
*wipes tear*
November 17th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Wow! What a weekend to remember for you!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Damn you, Maddy! I came her for a rollicking dose of laughter and now I’m all goosebumps and watery eyes. And wondering if Janet is interested in doing a bi-coastal commute?
This is soooo fantastic. But, of course, you already know that. Tell the truth…how much did you cry after they left?
November 17th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I don’t doubt the dedication of therapists. Or of mothers.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I am sitting here completely blown away! Will wonders never cease? Let’s hope not.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Definitely not jinxed – I think you have turned a corner indeed – Hooray!
November 17th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Wow! Removes jaw from floor!
And good for Janis
November 17th, 2008 at 10:36 am
mmmmm…YUMMY!
Just wait until he starts bring you “breakfast” in bed and YOU get to be the lucky taster.
Bravo indeed!
November 17th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hugs.
Sheri
November 17th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
fabulous! absoutely, utterly, delightfully, heart warmingly, lump in the throatingly delicious!
and janis .. oh, janis!
November 17th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
janis is a treasure. maybe for christmas you can convince this brilliant young man of yours to help make some more delicious concoction (since he seems to be moving past some of his textural objections) to reward her.
and bravo to you, mum, for not squelching this creativity. i know i’d have been tempted because i hate to see things go to waste. but in this case it was such a marvelous breakthrough in so many ways. and just look at him beaming so proudly.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
*sniff* There must be something in my eye, er, both my eyes.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Wow. Wow!! Oh, I wish you could see me hopping up and down, Maddy because this is just fabulous! I just love that you had the presence of mind to snap a photo and his expression is just priceless — so pleased with himself, and well he should be! I’m going to be grinning all evening now
~Michelle @ 5MFSN
November 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Wow! YAY for Janis and all great therapists and YAY for your little guy for doing all of that!! I just glanced at Michelle’s comment…and have to say that I’m sitting here grinning too…ok, and blinking fast if I have to admit that, as well!
November 17th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Wonderful! I remember the first time Nigel wanted to make “soup” for me, I was so shocked I about keeled over. That is indeed a milestone. Thanks for sharing – it took me back!
November 17th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
That is such an awesome story. And Janice is the best!
November 18th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I read this just after reading your Tackle It Tuesday post about the ex-mother-in-law. I imagine this scene would have killed her.
Bravo to all of you for this exciting exercise in creativity, bravery, and love! Can’t wait to see what he concocts next.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I confess a bit of a prickle in my own eye.
Also, god bless Janis.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Wow, that’s awesome.
I’m honestly not sure I could have taken a sip of that…kudos to Janis.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Oh, Janis rocks. And so do you for seeing all the magnificent accomplishments within the creation.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Yummy post!