Last Thursday Fable started walking. She stood up and walked down the hall. Walked down the street. Around the block. Walked and hasn't stopped since. I'd been reluctant to say anything until I was absolutely sure. Last time she walked, I got all excited, shouted the news to the rooftops and then, the next day, back to knee-walking was she.
Not this time.
This time Fable stood cautiously at first, reaching for my hand every few steps in the house and then outside, on the pavement squares. She was careful and watchful and concentrated. She was unsure, yet steady:
...and then, the next day, walked confidently on. And on. And on. Down the street and around the next block, into the grass where she gathered and blew her first dandelion, its seeds getting caught in her lips and my fingers when I tried to fish them out.
By day three, she was pushing my hand away. I've got this one, mom. Thanks, anyway. Walking so fast she practically ran, and me chasing after her, herding her away from the streets, toward the sidewalk, howling, "danger! danger! the street is danger!"
On day four, Archer joined us and for the first time it was Fable who lead her big brother down the street. Little guide. A moment I was able to capture with my camera. A moment I have marveled at ever since:
...For there she was leading him. Leading me and Hal and all of us. Just like that.
No need for a stroller on
our daily jaunts around the neighborhood anymore.
Today we spent the day in the sun, climbing neighbor's stoops and falling on our knees in the lawn, skipping Fable's morning nap so we could chase birds. So SHE could chase birds.
Hal came home, hours later, to find us, halfway down the block, scraped-kneed and dirty-faced, dresses askew ...
"What are you two crazies doing?" Hal asked.
And for the very first time I got to say, "taking a walk. Just us girls."
Because, we were.
Simple as that.
Two girls on a walk. Ahhhh!!! She's walking! So fun omg ahhhh!!!! No big deal.
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