Raindrops in the bird bath
I'm writing this from the kitchen table in the new house. Kitchen tables and writing: maybe it's the one bastion where conversations still happen organically and screen free. Little islands where face-to-face still happens. Big windows frame the front yard and the back one, letting in substantial light - in this case that particular mid-morning light which fills every corner of a little house.
I take a moment to look at the backyard - big rough patches of green grass that you both want to tame and work with - and appreciate its silence. Four years of living in a one bedroom apartment with a small child will do that for you. Raindrops disturb the surface of a bird bath - little ripples that signify we're firmly spring. We are "settled", whatever that means in the context of the last couple moves. Rugs, paintings and furniture have all appeared the last couple weeks. After a month of living out of suitcases we nabbed a dresser and spend evenings figuring out how to tetris our many clothes in there. We made a broken promise yesterday that we'll get rid of half of them.
It's wonderful to be in love.
Shelby's mom has been here for a month. She fills the gaps with generosity, whether it is helping us with Tommy while we work, making food appear or just adding levity and joy. Lots of laughing.
The boys are good. Gael is navigating social and school changes. He tested into a highly capable school (gifted?) and will be transferring yet again. He's drawing away a little bit which has been hard, but I'm hoping it is just the natural transition into growing up. There is no playbook here.
Tommy is bouncing off the walls and has that newborn curiosity where everything is both a toy and food. We've caught him a few times in the dog bowl.
Shelby handles it all with grace.
I do sometimes.
And other than that, I'm working, and I'm dreaming and I'm cycling and I'm trying to figure out how to live well and live earnestly and be a good dad and a good partner and good friend and perhaps when all the stars align I'm writing,
Drop a line, I always love it when you do,
Cowabunga dude,
DJ