Namaste, Old Lady

My bestie, FloJo, is a rockstar teacher.  One of the greatest things she ever taught Daughter 2 in first grade was yoga.  FloJo would take time each afternoon with her very difficult class and lead them in yoga as a stress reliever for these little monsters, I mean learners.  When their yoga was completed, they'd sit in the dimmed room and talk about their goals for the rest of the school day.  It was powerful!  It was amazing!  It meant so much to Daughter 2 that it turned her into a little yoga master herself!


This week was our first week back from Winter break.  We were all tired and cranky and contemplating dropping out of elementary school to live in the van off the beach.  Daughter 2, channelled FloJo and said, "Let's do some yoga."

Don't let this peaceful look deceive you!

The flexible little yoga master led all four of us in a yoga session.  We had dim lights and candles.  She spoke in a hushed whisper.  She would demonstrate the pose and then move to each of us to tell us how we were doing and encourage us.

"Momma," she whispered, "I want you to try and not be a wobbly tree.  Close your eyes and concentrate," she prodded.

And when she flat out farted, she announced to the rest of us in what I imagine was her her best FloJo imitation, "Gas is perfectly natural.  There's no need for giggling..."  then she added, "Momma, I'm talking to you..."

It was exactly what we needed.  I'll be honest.  I let a few tears fall knowing how Daughter 2 cared for each of us, and I silently thanked FloJo for giving Daughter 2 such a fabulous example to follow.

We ended in rock position, and Daughter 2 came around to each of us, rubbed our backs, and whispered sweet things to us like, "Sissy, I love that you are so strong and that you are learning to try new things."  Beautiful.

This evening was certainly an apex of our family times.

After our session was over, Daughter 2 had us all sit in our circle and tell what our goals were for the coming year.

Daughter 1 shared that she would like to be confident enough and in shape enough to wear a bikini over the summer.  The Dad had an aneurysm.

Daughter 2 nodded and affirmed that Daughter 1 could do anything she set her mind to.

The Dad shared that he'd like to play more golf with his daughters.  Or without his daughters - just play golf... who cares!??!

Daughter 2 nodded and affirmed that this golfing business wouldn't cut into her swimming time during the summer.

I shared that I wanted to get one of my books published.  Daughter 2 clapped her hands with joy and shrieked, "OH MOMMA!!  You could write a book about yoga for fat people!"

Then she clamped her hands over her mouth, realizing that FloJo would never approve of anyone being called fat.  She began to shake her head and started her apology.  "No, Momma, no.  Not for fat people.  I didn't mean to say you could write a yoga book for fat people!"

Then she crawled across the floor and hugged me.  She sat back on her heels, her knees leaning against my legs, and her little hands on my shoulders.  She smiled at me, and I knew that she really wanted to make that statement right for me.  "Momma," she said with a big grin, "I meant you could write a yoga book for OLD people."

I closed my eyes in meditation before she suggested I write a yoga book for FAT and OLD people...