Dashing off to New York today to meet with a few interesting people, including my publisher at St. Martin's Press. It's an exciting moment in time as my life dream of publishing a book with a major New York publishing house comes true. The kids are excited to be, as they say, released from the Mother Thumb. If only they knew their father has two of them...but they'll find out in time (crescendoing laughter orignating deep in the throat...).
In a kind of strange, almost sickish way, I enjoy watching my family squirm with slight discomfort at my departure. It tells me how much they really rely on me. In those moments of heigtened awareness, my children tend to be a bit more loving.
"Here's a picture for you, Mama," my daughter offered. "I'll give it to you for a bargain price. Two euros."
Capitalism enters the Romper Room.
I could tell something was eating at my husband last night as I packed my cosmetic bag. Standing in the bathroom at 10 pm, he finally blurted out, "I'm gonna miss you."
The cost of a hand-painted Sophia original? Two euros. The mountain-size love they give me as I leave for six days? Priceless.
