I sometimes think of Jack as my heart and Cora as my spirit. This anecdote perfectly captures why.
On our vacation to Jackson Hole, the full family (minus Claire who couldn't quite handle the kitsch of a touristy attraction in her hometown) went to the Bar-T Ranch for a covered wagon ride into the mountains for dinner and a show. Chris, Jackson resident for 10 years now, gamely came along. It was a super friendly affair with the chance to get to know your wagon-mates on the picturesque trek up the mountain trail.
Jack and Cora were both into it. Jack because he's read Laura Ingalls Wilder books with me and it was a little dip into history for him. Cora because we were riding behind "horseys."
At the dinner, my little musical baby was clapping in beat to every song and enjoying being with her adoring male fans: her daddy, her Big Papa, and her Uncle "Tis".
For the "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" number, there was audience participation and all kids were called up. Jack went up right away and after a few minutes, Cora decided to join. As soon as she walked up, the youngest by several years, Jack protectively put his hands on her shoulders. As the emcee gave directions and talked to each volunteer, Jack would lean down and whisper things to Cora. And he'd periodically kiss her cheek and hug her. SIGH!!
Cora was paying rapt attention to everything going on as each volunteer got their instructions for the song. When it came to the childrens' part (rub your tummy), the emcee walked over to the kids and Cora stared wide eyed at him without making any other motion. He stopped the song to say "This one is just precious!!" And then he put the mike up to her mouth and what did my little just-turned-two spirited child say?
"Yeehaw!"
Heart and spirit. The best gifts.
On our vacation to Jackson Hole, the full family (minus Claire who couldn't quite handle the kitsch of a touristy attraction in her hometown) went to the Bar-T Ranch for a covered wagon ride into the mountains for dinner and a show. Chris, Jackson resident for 10 years now, gamely came along. It was a super friendly affair with the chance to get to know your wagon-mates on the picturesque trek up the mountain trail.
Jack and Cora were both into it. Jack because he's read Laura Ingalls Wilder books with me and it was a little dip into history for him. Cora because we were riding behind "horseys."
At the dinner, my little musical baby was clapping in beat to every song and enjoying being with her adoring male fans: her daddy, her Big Papa, and her Uncle "Tis".
For the "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" number, there was audience participation and all kids were called up. Jack went up right away and after a few minutes, Cora decided to join. As soon as she walked up, the youngest by several years, Jack protectively put his hands on her shoulders. As the emcee gave directions and talked to each volunteer, Jack would lean down and whisper things to Cora. And he'd periodically kiss her cheek and hug her. SIGH!!
Cora was paying rapt attention to everything going on as each volunteer got their instructions for the song. When it came to the childrens' part (rub your tummy), the emcee walked over to the kids and Cora stared wide eyed at him without making any other motion. He stopped the song to say "This one is just precious!!" And then he put the mike up to her mouth and what did my little just-turned-two spirited child say?
"Yeehaw!"
Heart and spirit. The best gifts.
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