a family in church

[asakiyume]

There is nothing to this entry but a description of this family that I like to see in church, whom I saw today. And it's a long description! But for some reason I wanted to write it down here.

They tend to sit a few rows in front of where we tend to sit:

A beautiful mom who never ages (maybe ten years younger than me, though?), with long black hair and always a brilliant smile. She is curvaceous: narrow waist and big hips and big bosom. Today she was wearing a tight-fitting charcoal-gray pullover. Next to her, her youngest son, maybe five years old. He has long black eyelashes and hair the color of fallen beech leaves. Next to him, the second-oldest daughter, about ten years old, and sitting in her lap, the youngest daughter, about three. Second-oldest has long brown hair that's my-color brown: brown as dark as it can get without being black. She was wearing a blue-and-purple plaid shirt. Youngest-daughter (alone of all the kids in this family) has blond hair, with one tiny side-braid (tied with a purple hair tie). She was wearing a purple velour dress and lilac cowboy boots. She and youngest-son are both tiny; the sister whose lap she's sitting in is also small, but slightly more sturdy seeming.

Next to second-oldest sister was oldest sister, maybe fifteen? She has long hair too, mostly brown like her sister's but with tips that are a paler highlighted-streaked-bleached color of pale-brown to blond. She was wearing a mini jeans jacket and a floral shirt. Next to her, the oldest brother, with black hair like his mother. He's maybe fourteen. He has those same long eyelashes his younger brother has, and a quiet face. He's plump rather than skinny, but not dramatically so. ... And I notice I pay attention to what the girls are wearing but not the boys, as I can't recall now what he was wearing.

Last was dad, the most mysterious to me, because unlike the rest of the family, who are have sunny faces that it's a pleasure to see, he always has a slightly irritated, or at least closed-off, look. He's somewhat plump too, and balding, but I can see how he's got the same good looks that his kids have--just with years added on.

Littlest sister had her arms around the younger of her older sisters, and her head resting on her sister's shoulder, nestled against her sister's neck, and her older sister seemed happy to hold her, and even when their mom offered to take littlest sister, both girls shook their heads.

I've watched this family since before the littlest one was born; I've said hi in passing to the mom. I don't know--seeing them just always makes me happy. They can't possibly guess--would have no reason to guess--at the pleasure they give me. So that's something. Sometimes just appearing in a place, you may be making people happy, without even knowing it.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

I relish watching happy people, too. I don't want to stalk them, but it gives me such pleasure to see happy interactions, unthinking ones, and I enjoy catching sight of them when I walk the dog, or whatever.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

It's nourishing; it makes me feel happier, more buoyant.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a lovely family. Maybe grumpy dad just have that kind of resting face?

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

You're probably right; that's probably what it is.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'd like to think so because I have that kind of resting face, too! :P I used to get so mad at people for insisting that *I* was mad because, apparently, I had a huffy look on my face, when indeed I was just relaxed (mostly got this when reading).

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I can't believe this about you! But maybe it's true--Wakanomori has a pretty fierce resting face, even when he's feeling quite tranquil and happy.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

This is a beautiful description. :)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I thought about trying to sketch them from memory, but it just didn't look anywhere near good enough.

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

I love this, esp the links that showed what you meant.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thanks; I had fun finding exactly what I was looking for.

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

I often see male parents with seemingly habitual peevish looks. I think that often they picked it up from their own parents, and think it's The Responsible Attitude.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah; maybe their dads modeled for them that Being Responsible required that kind of expression.

[snakypoet]

I read your description and understand why seeing them always makes you feel happy. Reading about them made me feel happy too.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

And now I feel *doubly happy*

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

There is a Chinese lady who goes to my church who has the same effect on me. She radiates joy; she sings and dances and claps, out of tune, out of sync, but she does it with such pure happiness that I can't help but smile whenever I look at or hear her. One day, I told her what a joy it was to see her joy. I think I embarrassed her, but I wanted her to know.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I hope maybe it made her happy too <3