Reconnecting Marbles

Rhi Bowman

Student/ Writer

Rhi (pronounced Ree) B. is short for Rhiannon Bowman. Rhi B. is me. I’m a young woman– a newly wed, mother of two spoiled rotten cats and student– working hard to get out of college and on with the business of freelance writing. Trading money for words is a lifelong dream. After allowing...

Rhi B., rhibowman.wordpress.com

Sunday, July, 6, 2008

What a lovely weekend.

Mr. Wonderful and I spent a little more than 24 hours with a family full of friends-- mom, dad, grandma and two toddlers. We fished a little (and caught a few to throw back), weathered a sudden storm like a team full of champs, ate some yummy North Carolina barbecue, read, rested and-- for those of us between the ages of four and retirement-- chatted the night away. And, we ate cake to celebrate a wee one’s Happy Family Day, which is the anniversary of the day she came home (i.e. was officially adopted).

When Mr. Wonderful trekked to the shore to blow up some cheap explosives for our amusement, the other wee one turned to us and asked, “Won’t you clap with me?” So, after each rocket was launched, we clapped our approval.

Mom and I found some girl-talk-time, which we used most efficiently. We wondered why we care about what other people think, especially when we know we're doing our best. We read through several papers and magazines and, after reading one of this month's skirt! essays, Nourish Me by Stacy Appel, discussed our own body image issues-- and the fact that we don't know a single woman who is totally and truly and forever satisfied with her body.

We also discussed marriage and husbands and children and how life simply isn’t simple for anyone, but we all manage and we all, or most of us, give every day our best effort.

Yes. Great weekend.

I feel like a few of my marbles are back in the bag, or at least within arms reach-- which is a wonderful relief.