First, I must say Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom. You are the best, Mom.
I walk to rehearsals every day. My walk takes me through Balboa Park, where the theater is located and where the famous San Diego Zoo is also located. In fact, I walk by the Zoo on my way to the rehearsal halls. Yesterday, as I was passing the Zoo, I took the opportunity to call my nephew who was turning 13. He is the youngest of my sister’s two boys. He has always had the most wonderful speaking voice, very childlike and full of wonder, with a natural musicality that is delightful. If I could I would do an imitation of it for you.
Meredith put him on the phone. I said “Happy Birthday!” A stranger answered. A stranger who has a deep voice with about a 3 note range. What????? I felt like someone had kicked me. Of course, I said nothing to him – I know all about boys and changing voices and self-consciousness. I have several nephews. I get it. But this voice, this sweet little boy voice – I loved that voice.
Gone. When my sister got back on the line, I went on and on about it. She said “Welcome to my world.” Boys grow up, the youngest becomes a young man. I think all Moms want to stop time for a while – have their kids stay at a certain age. I guess Aunts do, too. I’m hoping I can keep that voice alive in my memory, in the little tape recorder in my brain.
Later that day, I was walking back home – again by the zoo. I walk along a high fence that hides the exhibits. For some reason I took my camera along with me yesterday. Alerted by some school children who were pointing and aiming cameras, look what I saw:
Apparently, the back of the Koala exhibit faces the fence. You can see the fence I walked along, and then the interior enclosure. You must know something about me: koala bears are my favorite animals in the zoo. I love them. So I stood there, entranced by this little creature and trying to get a good photo. Here are some more:
He woke up for a minute.
And…back to sleep.
I didn’t even have to pay the entrance fee! Now that I know they are there, I will be watching for a glimpse of one every day. I know that Koalas don’t like to be held and are not ‘cuddly’ but in my world, I prefer to think they are. Isn’t this the cutest little guy? I want him. Do you think they would let me take him home?
Have a wonderful day.
Claudia,
How fun that I am the first to comment. My boy is getting so old. I too hope I can remember his beautiful sing-song voice that was so full of wonder. It was like magic. He is still wonderful, just taller, voice deeper and he has a few pimples.
Love to Koala pictures. So cute.
Happy Mother’s Day to the most wonderful sister/aunt/mother of two furry dogs in the whole world.
XO, Mere
I love Koala bears too, Claudia!
Way back in the day when CB radios were the thing (my stepdad was a radio ham) my handle was Koala Bear, LOL
Have a beautiful day!!!!
xxoo
How cute Claudia! Yes, wouldn’t it be so sweet to freeze time for just a little bit so we can enjoy their youthful innocence just a little longer…sigh. Hope your having a wonderful day & happy mothers day to your sweet mom!
paula
Claudia:
I love koalas, too. The ultimate teddy bear! Have a great day and thanks for sharing your fuzzy friend today.
xoxo
Donna
Claudia, I loved this post! My grandson is 13 and going through the voice deepening thing-my little man! I love your description with all the love in it! Have a wonderful day, Kerrie ♥
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, CLAUDIA…..HOW NICE YOU GET TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE BEAR EVERYDAY. MY OLDEST DAUGHTER LOVES KOALAS TOO, THEY ARE ADORABLE. YOU TAKE CARE, RIZZI
Hey Claudia, come visit me in Sydney and I’ll take you to pat koalas! They’ve have been raised around humans and are safe to handle so long as you don’t touch them on the head. They’ll happily stay in your arms for a bit and you can stroke them on the back – they don’t even feel that because their fur is so thick! He might even just fall back to sleep! They sleep almost all the time because the eucalyptus they live on has almost zero calories – now there’s a great diet idea ;)
In the meantime if you email me your snail mail address I’ll send you a ‘softie’ koala to keep you company in San Diego – my email addy is on my profile.
Claudia,
My kids and I enjoyed the Koala pictures. He is a cutie. Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
Bethany ♥
I can tell you all about a little boys voice changing. My oldest son is the cutest and all of the sudden he has a big voice, weird how that happens overnight. The Koala is so darn cute. I cant believe you walk by the zoo everyday, lucky duck! I love the zoo. We slept at the wild animal park 2 years ago. It was amazing. We awoke to the lions’ roaring.
My 17 year old is a late bloomer and his voice goes high and low! I love it! When he answers the phone sometime I think I dialed wrong! What a sweet Mother’s Day post!
Hard to believe something that looks so cuddly doesn’t like to be held! I’m so glad you now know this is the pleasure you will see during your walk to and fro. I think I’d take my camera along often!
Brenda
What a lovely day! I was looking at my niece the other day and thinking she is growing out of her baby look! They do grow too fast. I am shocked if you got a 13yr old to talk to you at all! around here it is 11-15 and you only hear complaints! And even then they are mumbles! Enjoy the kolas! I loved the story after the fire in Australia that one clung to the rescuer. I am glad they know when we want to help :)
Hugs, Lisa
Claudia ~ I don’t have a boy but I am sure it hurts to see them grow up so fast as it does with a daughter. If they could only stay little a while longer!
What a great walk you have to work : )
What a treat for you to have that cute koala all to yourself! He’s adorable. I agree, I like to think they’re cuddly and sweet. Since I’ll probably never have the opportunity to find out otherwise, I’ll just keep thinking it’s so.
I like to think that koalas are sweet and cuddly too. How fun to have a peek at him on your way to work each day!
I’ve been to Balboa Park, and now I can picture where you are!
Hugs,
Jill
How fun that you may get to see him every day for free! I’m sure the two of you will build a long and meaningful relationship as you pass by his cage each day which will of course mean that you will be allowed to take him home with you… LOL
He’s so stinkin’ cute!
DI
Dear Claudia, I was too very sad when my son changed his beautiful and singing voice. He used to sing all the time without feeling ashame but today, he turned 23 on May 8, he just sings at home all the time.
Hope they let you to hold that beautiful Koala.
Cariños,
Maria Cecilia
Claudia, I do understand about aunts (and even godmothers) wanting to put a bell jar over the moment and capture it, to make time stand still in moments of love like that. I think of that often as I watch Cecelia dancing around the house like a pixie.
And I think that Koala bear would love to go home with you! I can see him riding on Scout’s back and playing tag with Riley. I can also see him cuddling with you and Don. “They say” a lot of things, but “They” don’t always know everything. ;-)
XO,
Sheila
Oh so pretty! Even if it makes me sad seeing them at the zoo… I know, maybe I wouldn’t have the opportunity to see those amazing animals in person, if not at the zoo, but I’d prefer them to be free anyway…
Hope you are having a great day.
Monicax.
What a lovely walk to work Claudia.
I remember my son losing his baby voice :-(