Making Magical Moments

Nothing a spot of tea can't fix...

Tea for Two ....
​in our Private Alcove

​Much of life is mundane, punctuated by mayhem.  
 
This week, in addition to trying to deal with Mom’s failing health from across the country, we received the surprising news that Tyler’s instructors do not deem him sufficiently prepared for kindergarten, so they have rejected his plans to advance from their preschool into their kindergarten.
 
Mayhem indeed….like who was supposed to prepare him for your kindergarten if not you? And what about all those kids who – gasp – don’t attend preschool before your kindergarten??? (Will stop reflecting on this madness here and now as I need to start researching kindergartens. Clearly this school is not a fit). 
 
That is why it is so refreshing – and necessary – to plan for the magical amidst the mundane and mayhem.
 
When I was in 12th grade, my Godmother Christine Whelahan came to visit us in Paris after the tragic death of her husband. One day, my mom invited me to skip school and go to Giverney with her and Aunt Chris to see Monet’s enchanting gardens and charming house. I remember every thing about this day.  It was the only time I had a hooky day with my mom, and having my Godmother there was an added bonus. It made a huge impression on me.
 
So much so, that every year, since they were in kindergarten, I have taken the girls out of school one day a year for a hooky day: Ali in the Fall, Lillie in the Spring.  (I will do the same for Ty, should he ever make it to kindergarten…).
 
It is a day that we just focus on each other and splurge.  When we lived in LA and had Disneyland passes, that was our Day.  Then, we had Universal passes for two years. 
 
So I had to do some serious research for Hooky Day 2021.  I heard fantastic things about a Victorian Tea House in Albuquerque that has thematic seatings that last for two hours. April’s Theme? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Perfect. I booked it in February, as the Tea House is operating at 25% capacity.
 
So on Wednesday, after the school counted Lillie Grace as present, I biked to school and released her for our Day of Fun. 
 
It was as Magical as we had hoped. Time did stand still in this private corner nook they gave us, with flowers brightly blooming outside the  windows in both walls and a curtain hiding us from the rest of the establishment. I was reminded of how much I love to spend time with this dear 10-year old girl. How funny, interesting and unique she is.  How much social drama there can be in fourth grade. How important it is to have a bigger goal for yourself, so the pettiness does not become all-consuming.  How fast time is flying. How delicious the scones and dainty Bucket family empanadas and Oompa Loompa Salad are. 
 
A chance to exhale and breathe in the moment, here, now with my precious daughter. To forget about dementia and school applications, and tests and bills and my impending second vaccination and the book project.
 
It was a golden ticket day in every way; one that I will well remember in my golden years.