Monday, September 1, 2008

Seagull talk

I looked around the function room where we hosted the rehearsal dinner for our son's wedding a few weeks ago. The bridal party seemed to be enjoying each others' company and laughter and conversational chatter filled the room. It was then that I noticed the flower girl staring out the large window which overlooked the harbor below. She seemed deep in thought. Not wanting to interrupt her, I just stood quietly next to her for a few moments.

After a bit she looked up at me and gave me a heartwarming smile. She is seven years old and her two front 'adult' teeth were just starting to grow in. Freckles were lightly sprinkled across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. I asked Flowergirl if she was watching the big ships in the harbor.
"Nope."
"Well then, I bet you are looking at the lights of the city as they twinkle in the night."
"Nope, I am watching the seagulls. Did you know that seagulls are my favorite bird?"
"I did not know that. How come you like seagulls so much?"
" Because I can talk seagull talk."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Can they understand you?"
"Yep."
"Can you understand them?"
"Kind of."
We then stood together quietly watching the seagulls as they swooped around looking for food.
"Do you want to hear me talk seagull?"
"YES!"
"Well, we have to go outside because seagull talk is loud."
So we headed outside. Flowergirl stood in the parking lot, lifted her head back just a bit and let out the perfect seagull call. Loudly. She smiled at me with those two front adult teeth showing.
I smiled back and I prayed that the cynicism and disenchantment of adulthood do not accompany those two adult teeth. I hope that Flowergirl can always be comfortable and confident talking to the seagulls. Loudly.
And now, please excuse me, I have to go work on perfecting my seagull call.



17 comments:

Marg said...

You captured that well.
My little grandson starts school tomorrow. I have this perfect poem sitting in my heart as he goes for his first day.
Keep the innocence there..Curve balls come there way to fast.

Elaine Denning said...

Awww, that was so heartwarming.

pink dogwood said...

I loved reading this post

Anonymous said...

I love this. What a wonderful moment in time.

I confess that I don't know how to speak seagull, but I am willing to learn.

Kahshe Cottager said...

How wonderful to be at that time in life when one can cherish such an aacomplishment - no matter the age! A really lovely post!

Akelamalu said...

It never ceases to amaze me what a child can do! :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post! That "flower girl" started 2nd grade today! We wish we could bottle her and keep her innocence. Thanks for posting about this "special moment." Off to tuck her in for her sweet dreams with the seagulls.

tam said...

Beautiful! I love it. Even if she loses that perfect innocence, she has passed a little of it on to you, and you to us. Well done for paying attention, and thanks..

Anonymous said...

Lovely story. I know that feeling of wanting to bottle up the essence of the child and keep it forever.

Deb said...

Marg ~ So nice to hear from you. Best wishes to your little grandson.

Miss Understood ~ It truly was.

Pink Dogwood ~ Thank you.

Beverly ~ :)

Kahshe ~ I will cherish the moment.

Akelamalu~ I agree!

Anonymous ~ You are so lucky! Give her a hug and kiss from me!

Tam ~ I am glad that I was paying attention.

Tilly ~ I like the way you worded that - 'the essence of the child' :)
Thanks for dropping by.

Celebration of Life said...

Hi Deb!
What a sweet and heartwarming story. My very first encounter with seagulls was when I visited San Francisco this spring. I was sitting on the dock eating a shrimp salad and three seagulls stood in front of me squawking for food. I would toss each one a peice of shrimp in random order just to hear their different tones; it was like I was conducting a choir. The shrimp was gone before I knew it and so were the seagulls. I had a delightful time with them and it didn't matter that I went back to my meeting hungry. :o)
Jo

Ron said...

Hi Deb!

Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for dropping by my blog earlier today.

It was so nice meeting you!

What a lovely blog you have here. And you live where I have never been, but have always wanted to visit. How beautiful it must be - especially in the FALL!

I also read your profile and saw that we enjoy several of the same movies and music.

Thanks again for introducing yourself to me. I'll be back to read more!

Enjoy your day.

Andrea with the Flipflops said...

I hear you. So beautiful.

Louise said...

That is just THE best story! What a treasured moment of childhood. I hope she remembers and keeps that part of childhood with her always.

Willow said...

Yes, I hope she keeps her innocent love of life.

I'm going to listen to the seagulls carefully this week so I can learn seagull speak too!

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. This post is just priceless. You truly have a way with words.

When I saw that one of your favorite books is A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, as well as reading this post, I knew I had found someone who feels like I feel!

Deb said...

Jo ~ I am glad that you had a positive experience with the seagulls. They can be obnoxious if you are trying to eat. It was nice of you to share. :)

Ron ~ Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Andrea ~ :)

Louise ~ I couldn't agree more!

Willow ~ Good luck with learning seagull. It is not as easy as it looks! ;)

Carol ~ Thanks for stopping in and for your kind words! :)

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