Wombles' Sixth Birthday

We celebrated William turning six just the way he had hoped to ever since he heard that we were planning to do Europe Semester.

[Just typing that sentence makes my fingers tingle and my pulse pick up a bit. After 13 months of planning, sweat tears and late nights, we are (a Meg says) "doing this." I think I am at the point now where I am able to lift my eyes--just a bit--from the very next thing that must be done.]

Anyway, one of William's first questions about Europe Semester was where he would be on his birthday. He was disappointed that there would be no birthday party with his other first-grade friends. After explaining that we would be in Rome, his birthday wish was that we would go to the Colosseum on his birthday.

He was only slightly deflated upon learning that there were no longer gladiator fights going on.

We told him we bet he could get his picture taken with one, though.

As the schedule played out, we actually went to the Colosseum with the whole group the week before his birthday. We had the most amazing tour guide who taught us how to "read" the walls and the different stories represented by different bricks or sorts of holes and framed the story of Rome with a frame wide and tall enough to include us.

And then the next week, Jesse's film class voted to move their class to Thursday so that Jesse could spend the afternoon and evening with William (both of us taught all morning). And we went back to the Colosseum again.

This time, we could wander around and see whatever William wanted to see at our own pace. And he led the way, as we all enjoyed the delight of recognition after getting through the discovery phase the week before.

On the way out of the Colosseum, I confess we avoided the dressed-up gladiators who charged 5 Euro per photo-op.

After we walked home, Jesse walked to seven different pizzerias looking for the sausage pizza William wanted. It just didn't happen. But the other kinds of pizza were delicious. And William didn't mind the pink candle on his chocolate cake!

The dear students all signed a birthday card for him and gave him a chocolate cupcake and miniature Colosseum souvenir for a birthday present. I think he had a great day, and now he is six.

In all, one of the delightful things about William's birthday is that it was a "longing fulfilled," which is a tree of life. (Prov. 13:12) He had long been looking forward to something that did not diappoint, and getting to participate in that with him was a real blessing.

Something else we have been looking forward to for about the same amount of time is taking the kids to the Blue Grotto on Capri. I had no. idea. that this was a touristy island when we first proposed it to them; we had just finished reading Red Sails to Capri and thought it would be lovely to actually see what it was like.

We have now come to the art course portion of Europe Semester, so while Jesse and I are still the directors we don't have any teaching responsibilities and have been planning to take a single-overnight away (there are still 3 other leaders onsite). However, we have been feeling worn out and somewhat ambivalent about the logistics involved in getting us all down there (train, bus, ferry, hotel, rowboat, and reverse). When asked about it this morning, even Charlie basically said it would be fun but he kinda just felt like staying home and not being busy going somewhere. In addition, Saturday is forecast for rain and thunderstorms; with rough seas the Grotto is inaccessible, meaning there's no guarantee that we'd actually get in. After all that. And yet, and yet. We have been planning it with the kids for a YEAR.

And then today, while in a museum with the students, Jesse and I got the text from Maddie that Carmen had succumbed to the stomach bug that had William down and out two days ago. That's when we called the trip off.

And you know what? It's OK. With everyone. None of the "big three" are complaining about it, in spite of the fact that we've been looking forward to it for so long. I feel grateful that other "goods" have been raised up such that our heart is not sick at hope deferred--and that the children are fine with the change of plans, as well.

I bought this book of poetry in Georgia last February and then brought it over to Europe for his birthday present.

He loves it and keeps it in/near his bed. The poem on the last page is a keeper:

"Now We Are Six"

When I was one I had just begun
When I was two I was nearly new

When I was three I was hardly me
When I was four I was not much more

When I was five I was just alive
But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever;

So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.


Happy Birthday, William!