Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Phinnaeus and Marigold

In my day-to-day posts here on my boring-little-blog, I don't write much about my family, and I never post pictures of them. All over the internet people post pictures of their children doing wonderfully cute things -- wrangling cattle and branding horses, or is it the other way around, I never know -- and doing all sorts of other amazing things kids do. So I thought today I would tell you about Phinnaeus and Marigold. No, those are not their real names -- obviously -- and this is not a picture of them.

Phinnaeus and Marigold are three years apart in age, and for the most part they are great friends. They have their moments of course, as all siblings do, but they seem to genuinely like each other -- in spite of Phinnaeus's 14 year-old boy cooties, and Marigold's tweeny obsession with Justin Bieber. Over the years as I have observed Phinnaeus and Marigold, the one thing that has always impressed me the most is what nice people they are. I believe everyone is born with a certain "centre" or "essence" and both Phinnaeus and Marigold have a lovely centre. I can see a lot of my father in Phinnaeus. He's an old soul, and very complex. He has a wonderful sense of humor, and he can be the world's biggest goof at times, but he doesn't tolerate fools glady. He's very bright, and he has his own ideas about how the world works. He's like his Mom in that everything he tries to do, he does well.

Marigold is blessed with great beauty. She has the fine, exquisite features of a future Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn. She has straight dark hair and reminds me of my own mother. When I look at Marigold, I can imagine what my mother must have been like as a girl. She is extremely bright and very feisty -- also like my mother -- and she has a quiet, knife-edged wit that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. When Marigold was a toddler, she was always racing to catch up to her big brother. She couldn't say his name, so she called him "Buddy". "Buddy! Buddy!"

I love seeing Phinnaeus and Marigold together. I took a wonderful photograph of them on Sunday, but my family prefers that I not post pictures of them on the internet, so I can't share it with you. The picture captured their essence, and it's one that I will always treasure.

Phinnaeus and Marigold are very nice people, and I have a feeling they will be nice people for their whole lives. I think their Mom and Dad have every reason to be extremely proud of them.

25 comments:

Whitney Lee said...

They are lovely, and you are as talented at painting a verbal image as a literal one.

It is my hope that my children (with a similar age difference) will also be nice people as well as friends. I think that there are ways around a lot of things but mean is damn hard to overcome.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

What a lovely post! You are so very blessed to have them and their mother, and they are all incredibly blessed to have you.

I agree about the centre, the core personality. I think we are born fully inhabiting our souls and only become more ourselves as we grow older.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I loved hearing about P & M!! And your words paint a picture more beautiful than any photograph! You write from the heart! And that is extraordinary! Have a beautiful day, dear Jo! ~Janine XO

Brenda's Arizona said...

Your words/comments say more than a photo ever could. I can picture them!

Marcos Vinicius Gomes said...

Jo, the most amazing thing when we observe our descendants is that they get something of our parents, and this is one of the mysteries of life, isn't it?

Paul C said...

Your description of the children juxtaposes nicely with the 50's era kids.

DUTA said...

Everyone, indeed, is born with an inner "essence', essence which cannot be altered by education. Education can add to it, but not change it.
Luckily, your grandchildren seem to have a good, positive essence that will turn them into fine grown-ups.

Sam Liu said...

A wonderful and heart-warming post, Jo. Phinnaeus and Marigold (great pseudonyms by the way) sound like the most delightful pair, it is clear that you love them very much. Thank you for brightening my day with your uplifting tales :D

Paula Slade said...

You have every reason to be proud of them too Jo! They sound like absolutely delightful young people who will definitely make a difference in this world. :)

DJan said...

I go back and forth about real identities here on the internet. I think with children it's important to be careful, although I love getting to know the ones who are both hidden and those who are not. And I love your description; even though I could not pick them out in a room full of people, I can see their reflection through your eyes, and it is enough. They are lovely.

myletterstoemily said...

what a lovely tribute to two very nice
people. there are fewer of those than
there used to be.

Carl said...

You brought me to a time when my brother (who is 18 months my junior0 followed me and called me Brudda... "Hey Brudda wait for me!" fond memory... Thanks!
and thanks for the lovely post.

Katy said...

Centre what a wonderful way to discribe that indiscrbale essense that people possess.

I have a nephew who IS my father. Those two are so much a like its scarry sometimes.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sounds like some of the good ones.

babbler said...

Jo,
So lovely of you to visit Slug's Rest! I just had to slide on over to say hello and enjoy a cup of sleepytime tea with you before I slide under the luscious covers of my bed. I loved the story, and it is not at all boring! Photos are not necessary to see your two cuties, I can picture them now, and your description gave me a nice warm fuzzy, which is a nice way to start my dreaming this fine evening. I leave you with a long trail of silvery loving slug slime, may your day be wonderful, I look forward to hearing more!
Love from Mrs. Slug xxxooooxxox

KathyB. said...

You said every bit as much and then more a photograph might have.Your grandchildren sound like your true treasures Jo,and rightly so.

PinkPanthress said...

From what I read about them on your blog, the things you tell us of them, there is no need for a real life picture! ;)

Nancy said...

Your grandchildren sound wonderful, Jo. You are so lucky to have such a wonderful relationship with them. I cherish my grandson, and believe him to be a very old soul, as well. Maybe this new generation will be focused on what's important in life and less on things.

Pauline said...

Lucky things - they also have a wonderful grandmama!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Your love is showing! I can tell that those two tug at your heart. I know exactly what you are feeling as you describe them.

fiftyodd said...

I do so agree about the quandary of posting real picture. I've tried to keep my family protected and anonymous for the last three years, but lately I've posted one or two real photos. I still do both. Lovely evocative post. My two grandchildren are still babies but I hope they grow up to be as nice people as yours.

Wolynski said...

Lovely thoughts. The "center" comes from family and upbringing and the examples they see around them.

@ly said...

Always remember the fruit never falls far from the tree. Your children are a product of you and yes you should be very proud. Hold your head high and enjoy them because they grow all too fast.

Cloudia said...

Lovely post, Jo






Aloha from Hawaii, Friend

Comfort Spiral

Jo said...

Thank you, everyone, for your lovely comments. I have been away from the blogs -- reluctantly -- for the past couple of days, so I have not had a chance to respond to each of you personally. I'll be back soon. :-)

Cheers,

Jo