Kate, my 3rd sister (of my 5 younger sisters) has been with me since Eliot was a baby. I typically avoid saying “she works for me” because even though she’s paid, she just feels like a sister, helping out. I mean— that’s literally what she is. She has helped carry the household load, one day a week, then two days a week, and, this last year, three days a week.
She’s in our home, helping change diapers, or wash dishes, rocks sleepy boys, make lunches, read books, whatever it is, Kate’s here for it. I couldn’t have imagined how wonderful it’d be having a sister love my boys like I do: going on adventures with them through our forest, snuggling them for naps, playing games, doing regular life together. It’s magical and bonding.
And now she’s leaving.
It’s good, it’s the next step for her thriving wedding & elopement photography business, but… I’m going to miss her.
I know most mothers get by without ever having help in their home. And I know that I’ll figure out how manage my time differently now that I won’t have extra hands on board, but I’m sad. Sad to be moving on from this special season with one of my closest friends.
From the time Kate started, I always knew we were living in the good old days. Her even having the availability to be here, the intimacy of our friendship since we are in the same home, caring for the same little people 3 days a week. It won’t ever be like this again. I will constantly miss her peaceful presence.
Kate‘s quiet spirit is an example to me. She exudes a gentle kindness that I want to cultivate in myself.
I know things will be different, so I cry a bit. But I’m also really happy, for her, and this next season in her career.
Change
Said the sun to the moon,
You cannot stay.
Change
Says the moon to the waters,
All is flowing.
Change
Says the fields to the grass,
Seed-time and harvest,
Chaff and grain.
You must change said,
Said the worm to the bud,
Though not to a rose,
Petals fade
That wings may rise
Borne on the wind.
You are changing
said death to the maiden, your wan face
To memory, to beauty.
Are you ready to change?
Says the thought to the heart, to let her pass
All your life long
For the unknown, the unborn
In the alchemy
Of the world’s dream?
You will change,
says the stars to the sun,
Says the night to the stars.
Poem by Kathleen Jessie Raine
