I know I am fairly alone on this – I don’t give a whoop about the Royals. Never have. Any lingering interest or marvel I may have had was sideswiped by Charles’ declaration to Camilla that he ‘desired to be her tampon’.
Truth is, my motto is not to spend too much time being interested in people who spend no time being interested in me. And I pretty much know for a fact that that Andrew*** and Kate have never discussed or thought about me. (***ok I was just informed that it’s William not Andrew. OOOPS but proves my point. Utterly uncaptivating)
Don’t get me wrong- I love love. I am happy they found each other and let’s face it, look so good together, but I can’t get too excited beyond that. Yes the world is a bit of a mess and we need to look to fantasy to relieve us from the misery. But I have fantasy and it is alive and well in my own backyard.
Yesterday, our very favourite babysitter (now grown) from when our children were young, came by – for 5 minutes to scream and cry and tell us the story of her engagement. She and her beautiful, smart mom (a mom I looked toward as an example of how to mom in this cuckoo parenting world of today) came in to show us the ring, tell us the story of how he popped the question, what she said, what he did, when it will be.
Our Kate came to first sit when she was 12 and my oldest was 2. She dropped my daughter her on her head. Lightly-ish. Kate cried hard telling me- feeling so very badly- and all of her caring and sweetness endeared me to her right away. As Kate became a teenager, she spent loads of time with us- laughing behind my back at how I was fixated on getting my children to sleep by 7 every night and eat veggies.
My friendship with her grew- I felt like she was an adult in the house during those many long afternoons with little people- but I also felt like she was a daughter to me- and I love her like one.
When I had to tell her that I had separated – she cried and I cried. She loved our family as she knew it and this was a loss for her.
Her wonderful mom – was always a full time working mom of three. She had a big job and a huge heart. Their house always had extra people in it – door always open, kitchen always full of life and bubbling food, overnight guests, piano lessons downstairs and love seeping through the nooks. This mom is a mom who believes in consequence, independence and trying everything no matter how you might do with it. You could always get a straight answer from her. And a hug. And love. And help.
So here is our Kate in our kitchen with a beautiful ring on her hand and hope and love in her heart. And beside her, smiling beautifully, is her angel of a mom, fighting cancer like the devil- about to have a bone marrow transplant, -thrilled to bits.
Our Kate is our hope, our excitement and our fantasy.
Ah, you’re making me all teary and I don’t even know them because gah! The love! The hope! The bittersweetness! I hope her wedding – and more, her marriage – is everything she hopes, and that her mother is there with her for years forward.
Sara! You keep me straight!!! That is TOO FUNNY!!! I think it shows age!
Yikes! clearly not interested – although I would like to start a rumour that Kate is actually katie holmes sick of the fake marriage with Tom.
You are totally proving you don’t follow the royals….cause it’s William…Andrew married that red headed Fergie…I spend too much time reading about the royals….
I love this post so much – it makes my heart for her mom and be so thrilled for her – and no matter what happens with her mom (thinking WAY positive thoughts) – she will always have this memory which is so wonderful!!!
You are so not alone! I love your comment ” not to spend too much time being interested in people who spend no time being interested in me” totally agree.
thanks Tracey! xoxo
Christine- I know I know- I am on my own with the disinterest. Thanks for the wishes for our kate and her mom. xn
I have been a royal fan for as long as I can remember. My parents are monarchists. We woke early for the wedding. And the funeral.
I was giddy and tweeted my excitement at the news of the most recent engagement.
But I am much more excited for your Kate. What a lovely post Nancy, really.
It’s clear how important she and her mother are to you and your girls and I wish her mother all the best for a successful transplant and recovery!
I love this post, Nancy. Lovely. *sniff* That full heart… love, hope, possibility… it’s a wonderful thing. I’m so happy for you all!! And sending good healing vibes to her mum – fingers crossed!!