A Very Good Day

Tuesday, April 18, 2009
To stay up into the wee hours of a new day with loved ones and watch from our very own window the last bit of light fade from the sky is a rare and treasured occurrence. Lipe joined us after we put the kids to bed for a night of pondering the meaning of life while sipping aguardente and musing over the perfection of that exact moment in time.

And so the day began and further opened to even more incredible moments that I want to remember and savor.

Duarte and I escaped for a few hours on our mountain bikes. We explored the ancient landscape and looked out upon spring all around us. The hills were alive with birds singing and flowers blooming, water trickling and fresh green meadows as far as the eye could see. The fragrance of lavender filled the air as our pedals brushed the purple flowers along the old, gravel road.

Being true to our way of exploring, we found ourselves lost on an old path off a more well-traveled road. Instead of turning around, we pressed forward and carried our bikes to the top of the hill. From above we looked down upon a field of tall, green grass swaying with the breeze. Within the grass were pockets of white chamomile flowers. We rode down through the shoulder high grass. I laughed with the swimming feeling I was experiencing. The grass gently brushed my legs, my arms and my body and the air was filled with the calming scent of chamomile. I couldn’t tell where my tires were going and just held on with a bit of adrenaline pulsing through my body.

After a deliciously hearty lunch at Quinta da Mata, Geninha and I took Jenna shopping. Jenna likes clothes and she likes shoes and she liked just about everything in the store. Her adoring grandmother indulged her with whatever her little heart desired and we walked out of the store with an entirely new wardrobe for Jenna who is only three years old. She looked pretty good in her white sunglasses, soft cotton – “gypsy” dress and her pink Hello Kitty shoes.

Just before dinner we stood in the driveway in front of Quinta da Mata. The sheep had come in as they normally do towards the end of the day. Duarte and his father were talking and I was watching Marcos and Jenna wrestle in the grass. I looked up and noticed 6 young sheep frolicking up and down the hill. They looked like dogs as they chased each other with youthful vigor. It was incredible to watch the silly sheep play so carelessly while their boring elders scrambled to eat a few more bites of grass before going to bed.

After dinner, Filinto walked up the hill to put the sheep into the barn for the night. Marcos ran out after him and they walked hand in hand to the barn to accomplish their task. My heart filled with love for this incredible life our children get to live and experience.

Portugal reminds me to slow down and open my senses and enjoy a day and all of its gifts. Today I felt the love of my family, I smelled the fragrance of wildflowers, I was touched by long, soft grass swaying in the breeze, and the music of a thousand birds filled my ears. I lived this day well. And now I’ll descend our spiral staircase to our dark little bedroom and count the church bells until my eyes will no longer stay open. Ate mana.