September 24

Around the 24th of the month, I go into a bit of a melancholy mood. Today is no different. I wasn't picking up on it right away, and then it came to me a few months ago. It was March 24 that we lost our precious Margot June. Six months ago now.

One of the things I was looking forward to was to add Margot's picture to the photo display of grandchildren on my kitchen windows. Three are in Pier One frames that I got around the Christmas season several years ago. At the time, I only had three grands - Evee, Stella and Miles. The frame was meant to be a tree ornament, but my intent was to use it year around for this very purpose. The window pulls in our Budapest flat serve as a perfect place to hang the pictures. Now that I can no longer get the small frames, I purchased small round frames with a suction cup on the back to mount new additions - Iris and Margot - to the window display.

Even after Margot's death, I still wanted to add her picture. It's the only thing I have to remember her by. I purposely suctioned the frame near Stella's picture. Sisters.

Before we moved to Budapest, I bought a beaded tropical bird napkin ring (Pier One again :) that reminded me of a hummingbird. I only purchased one, not planning to use it as a napkin holder, but thinking I would find a place for it somewhere. I just liked it. I'm fascinated by hummingbirds. Love to watch them flit in and out of flowers, drinking in the sweet nectar.

Well, I've had it stored in my desk drawer all this time, because I hadn't found that special place. As soon as I put Margot's picture up, I thought of the hummingbird. The ring fit perfectly around the suction cup, and there the little bird stayed.

It seemed so fitting for Margot. The smallest of birds, feathers shimmering like that of a prism. Each little twist and turn producing iridescent colors in the sunlight. Flirting with flowers, they're here and gone, only to return again with the flutter of their wings humming in mid-air. Did you know they are the only group of birds that can fly backwards?

Tiny. Beautiful. Fascinating. It just seemed to be the perfect place... next to Margot's picture. I like to think of Margot flitting in and out of our lives. She flits in when I see a six-month old baby. She flutters about when I'm skyping with Stella. She dashes about when I think of our family spread across the world. The humming of her wings will always be a reminder of our sweet little Margot. I miss her.

Wings... see Josh's recent post on Stella's wings.