An ode to Mason
The Modlin Prout family on Chappaquiddick.
It would be too much for me to attempt summarize all of the joy and happiness (amid a still raging pandemic) I’ve experienced the last several weeks. But I still tried.
Between tears of happiness and longing I tried. Kristina, Robert and Mason left on Sunday and despite my obvious devastation I am so, so grateful we had such a special time together. Another COVID silver lining, when else what I get to enjoy them all to myself on Martha’s Vineyard for 5 weeks?
Here I’m sharing an email I sent to Mason so that someday he can be reminded of our trip and so that I can never forget how meaningful it was.
Dear Mason,
I wonder if you’ll know what a silver lining is by the time you can read this. Basically it’s something great that comes as the result of a bad situation. This year a pandemic struck upon the world and prevented people from being together, many of whom loved each other very much. (This was the bad part) But we were some of the lucky ones, the luckiest in fact, and we got to spend five whole weeks together.
Your parents are extremely brave and generous, so when it had been almost a year since you had seen your East Coast family they brought you on a cross country road trip so we could all be together. It might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me and I really and I can’t thank them enough for it. Make sure to give them extra hugs for me when you read this.
You travelled at the height of one of the heights of the Coronavirus crisis, alongside your mostly lovable but sometimes super annoying brothers Bentley and Bodhi in the car. Flying wasn’t really an option because of the virus and it was a much scarier prospect, plus you guys had a lot of stuff to pack, including your books and your favorite toys, and of course Monkey!
At two-years old you got to go on a coast to coast road trip that most people never get to cross off their bucket list (minus the dodging a pandemic part). Mommy and daddy drove you more than three thousand miles and five days each way. The journey out here was an exciting adventure, with nightly stops at new dog friendly hotels that your parents hoped had been disinfected properly. Then there was stops at Mexican Hat to visit where grandpa Bob grew up and a stop at the Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium for you to throw the ball with your big helmet and big gloves just like the big guys.
The first night you got to Massachusetts you stayed at Gram Gram's house on Cape Cod, but she couldn’t be there because of the virus. She had to stay away from you until she got a COVID test and that was really hard for her.
Then you took the ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard to come visit uncle Gavin and me. I didn’t think I was going to be able to see you until I got my negative test results for the virus too. The first few day’s you were here I had to stand away from you, wearing a mask, wanting so desperately to hug you, and trying really, really hard not to cry. I didn’t think I would be able to handle it emotionally (as I sob writing this, if mommy hasn’t told you yet I’m a big softie) but I decided that I shouldn’t deny myself any time with you no matter what it looked like, for any time spent with you was an absolute gift.
So after five days of wearing a silly mask and no hugs and kisses auntie finally got her negative test results and we were able to all spend time freely together. That first morning when auntie had the green light to give you a big hug was one of the happiest moments of my life. Mommy had tried to prepare you for it and I didn’t want to scare you with all of my crazy excitement so it took a whole lot of restraint from auntie to slowly approach you and make you feel comfortable. The last time I had hugged you we were leaving Las Vegas after another epic trip together and you were almost a full year younger so you can imagine how bad I wanted to hold you!
When I finally got to wrap my hands around you (you were wearing your adorable sleep sack and sleep sleeves after you had just woken up) it was like the world made sense again and in that moment nothing else mattered. Everything was going to be ok. It was like holding you for the first time in the NICU when you were just a wee baby and I finally knew you were going to be ok.
If you were OK, I was going to be ok and we were all going to be ok. The light you shine is a bright one Mason and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have it shine down on me. Mommy started calling you Miracle Mason when you were first born and your powers are just as strong these days too.
So then we got to enjoy five whole weeks together living in a beautiful house- make that two neighboring houses. We got to play and have fun together every day, while staying protected from the virus on a beautiful island. This was the great part and that’s why we’re the luckiest.
Your mom thinks I’m crazy about you. But she doesn’t think I’m crazy for it because she’s crazy about you too ;)
I'm not sure if you'll ever remember the trip but I know I never want to forget it, Here’s some of my favorite memories, and we have a whole lot of photos to show you one day.
That first hug and every single other one that followed
When you finally added Auntie and Uncle to your thankful turkey (I really thought Brandon the caretaker might make it on their first)
Every time you looked at a new pair of shoes that someone walked in wearing and you had to try them on. You usually put them on the wrong feet, which was adorable, and you shuffled around the house in your "big shoes." Surprisingly I only watched you fall once, and it was in your own boots.
The time I came over while Mommy and Daddy were out picking Gram Gram up at the boat and you told me you “had a big poop for me.” Then apparently I made your diaper change more complicated than it had to be and Mommy made fun of me for it, but I forgave here because that's what family does ;)
When we gave you you Uncle’s “big tractor” and watched your face light up for the first ride and every single one after. I especially loved watching Grampy pull you. We’d all like to thank you for the workouts we got along the way (and Grampy's back pain but it was well worth it)
How adorable you looked dressed up as a farmer for Halloween, complete with your new tractor!
The way you celebrated and danced around when mommy and I completed our 5K turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day. I'd run another 3 miles just to see your face!
Holding you while you looked up at the moon and the stars and how awestruck and fascinated you were by the sky. And how at one point you got up to stand in a different part of the yard so you could see the moon better.
When we made s’mores around the fire, even though you wanted your marshmallows cold
When I brought you in the front seat of mine and mommy’s cars so you could “drive” and adjust our seats 12 different times and discover features we didn’t even know we had.
Your love of candy bread (donuts), morning glory zucchini bread, Uncle's special bread. Your love for all breads period.
When I showed you some of my favorite hiking trails on Martha’s Vineyard and watching you “cut” all the trees along the way.
How much you love to cut and how everything is a cutter, including Auntie's curling iron, my umbrella and my ice scraper.
Holding you at Long Point in front of the giant waves as you cling on to me and we stared out to sea together. You told Mommy she should go in the water, you're funny ;)
Watching you blow out your "Mason" candle on my apple pie at Thanksgiving and then proceeding to chant “apple pie, apple pie.”I loved how much you loved my pie because Auntie stressed so hard about it. Also when you wore a lampshade on your head that night.
When you busted out all of your pots and pans in the
Your weed whacker of course! And how you find the utility in everything and are so motivated by tasks.
How good of a cleaner you are around the house and your love of the vacuum and wanting to empty the dustpan.
When we drove out on the sand on Chappy and you loved the bumps!
When we lit off sparklers on Thanksgiving night and your expression of wonder and excitement as you watched them burn.
How you were so afraid of the trampoline when we first introduced it to you and only a couple hours later you were a jumping machine!
I loved watching you master going up the stairs in just a couple of weeks, and watching your skill and confidence grow.
Watching you play with Grampy and Nona, and cuddle up next to Grampy when he was snoozing on the couch.
Your love of Grampy's "Big Hat" that he bought for his Halloween costume so he could be Woody (and he put your name on the bottom of his boot just like the movie!)
Discovering Minions together and watching you dance to all the Crystal Sounds videos
When you came to Auntie and Uncle's house and rode the "big tractor" and got to drive Uncle's "big boat"
Your love of Sister Act! I knew you were ours ;)
When you would run around naked in the hallway upstairs, before and after tubby time
Saying goodnight to us from your perch, and the night you said "good night" to everything but Auntie. You're funny kid.
When I brought you kayaking twice! First I pushed you around in the kayak "bug boat" and then I got in there with you.
Mommy and daddy doing crazy poses at the lighthouses (anything for the perfect holiday card) and Auntie running to be there to catch you in case you fell
Watching you sit at the kitchen island and “cook” and “cut” with uncle
How you say “yeah” after everything as an affirmative
How you call yourself “ME MEs”
How adorable you look in your sleep slack and sleeves, I still can’t believe you’re willing to wear them. You are such a good rule follower like Mommy ;)
Playing music with Uncles, including his big guitar and your ukulele. I just love how you look up at him and how patient and gentle you are with the big guitar!
I could keep going and going but I wanted to send those to you so you could look back on our trip together and so that Auntie could never forget some of those extra special moments.
Auntie loves you Mason, and remember, we're the luckiest xoxox