Hi.
It sure has been a while.
So much and not so much has happened since the last post. We have unmasked and finished school. We have ordered groceries, started taking spring walks, fought boredom, and planned “reasonable” vacations.
I feel like we are all in a bit of reentry. I am slowly coming back to the world around me, the main street shops, the laughs with friends, the hugs. Are you? I am embracing a new summer season, which I hope will bring rejuvenation and positive mental space. I am allowing my children to reenter a life without me being so near. It is oddly freeing and terrifying, too.
It is strange that time has warped itself the way it has. It feels like there is so much to say but nothing terribly important at the same time. I cannot tell if this year has flown or if it has lasted an eternity. I wonder, when there is enough distance to look back, if it will feel lost? Will we just pick up where we left off? Have I offered enough gratitude to those who kept us afloat? I am not sure.
But, in the spirit of renewal and reentry, I though I would look a month ahead and share what I am looking forward to:
Watching
-The land green up. Today, a steady rain has soaked the landscape. I can’t wait to see its gifts afterward.
-My kids play in the backyard. This simple joy is one of my favorites of the season.
Celebrating
-Jameson’s 7th birthday. I can’t believe it.
-Harper’s 9th birthday. This one is less shocking. She’s such a young lady.
Traveling
-To Mount Rushmore. Okay, not really. I am not a car trip person. Plus, after you get there, what do you do after you spend twenty minutes looking at the heads?
But, I am excited to get away. And the kids are psyched.
Eating
-Summer veggies from the local CSA. This is one of my favorite places to visit. I know I could not live the life myself, but farming has some type of daydreamy quality in my mind. I know – the poop, the exhaustion, the weather, but still … aren’t farms pretty?
Learning
-How to better take care of myself. The last three months have been doozies. Now, it is time to accept, sleep, eat well, get back outside, and be with my people.
-How to grown corn. I planted some this year! First time for everything.
Reading
-Everything. Let me repeat, the last three months have been doozies. If you are in the education world, you may relate to the feeling that the only thing you have read lately were 504 plans, emails from counselors and parents, and student work on (insert virtual learning platform). Please, give me all the books and magazines.
Seeing
-A movie in a movie theater! We are going to see Peter Rabbit 2 on Harp’s birthday, and I am giddy with excitement. This seems like big time reentry. I have not seen the inside of a theater in … ? … time warp.
-My mom and dad sitting out on their porch when we take our evening walks or bike rides. Such a sweet comfort.
Having
-More time. For slow walks, for cooking, for teaching, for imagining.
-Birthday cake from here.
-Looser shoulders.
Ditching
-Lunchbox packing!
-Some pounds. Unfortunately, bathing suit season is here. Unfortunately, my children love to swim. 🙂
Planning
-Family book days. My kiddos love these, and I love that they love them.
-A trip to Vermont and New York in July.
-Summer day trips. We repeat some every year, like this, and this, and this, and this. But, we are looking forward to some new, too!
-A “Yes Day?” Harper and Jameson have convinced us that this is a must. Jason and I live in fear of the impending event. I will keep you posted.
What are you looking forward to?
I am hopeful my reentry will also include this space. It feels nice to be back. Give me all the rainy summer days to write a little.
