Soundtracks
April 6, 2025 — 8:43pm
Dear Reese,
We dance around the living room to the Billy Elliot soundtrack. You are not as amused as I am — teething, hunger, and tiredness keep me on my toes with you all evening and the brilliance of “Solidarity” is a temporary distraction. Now, of course, all I want to do is rewatch the musical, but I’ve had the same thought about Wicked today. And Mulan.
Some day, we can cuddle up together for a movie before your bedtime.
We have a lovely afternoon decluttering our condo with MorMor’s help, though. You amuse yourself in the chaos, and MorMor and I take turns pulling you back from the tempting utility room (entered via cat door). Mid-afternoon, we walk down to Troup Park to see the water levels as low as we’ve ever seen them. The beach will be incredible this summer.
I push your stroller through the sand while you sleep. Maybe by this summer you can walk alongside me instead.
Love,
Mama
Interlude.
The forest is not usually a place for a duck. At least, not in this forest as you and your duck companion travel further away from the pond and surrounding wetlands. But on the first day you walk, it rains, and the duck flaps his feathers, feeling quite comfortable as he takes in all the new sights. He even starts to sing a happy song.
You don’t mind the singing or the rain; it makes you think of home and playing out in the rain with your friends. They were cursed too. All the bloodlines of your corner of the forest carried the curse — a side effect of which is not being able to leave the boundaries of their home.
Everyone cursed . . . except you. At least, not so far. You arrived in the forest as a gift: wrapped in a dark green leaf floating down from the sky and born into your Mama’s arms. Family, but not of her blood.
You sought out The Great Bullfrog to find the power to help your family land break the curse, but instead you found something different. Badum. Badum. You know so little about the green light thrumming inside of you. You have no idea if it will help your family.
Eventually, the duck is hungry and in the absence of fish or aquatic plants, you find some berries for him to try. They’re a huge hit, and he sings a little song about them as well. It’s great to see him so happy, and for now, you focus on him by your side as you walk deeper into the forest towards home.
To be continued.