Lovely little things, 11

This week’s lovely little things.

park time
Maybe sometime in the middle of summer, park time will stop being so notable that it tops this list when it happens.

But probably not.

Saturday’s temperature reached into the 70s and we spent two luxurious hours at the park, running into friends, running from swing to slide and back again, running for the sake of running. So much running and filling our lungs with warm, fresh air.

Park time is good for the soul.

date night

We very nearly cancelled. I wasn’t feeling well. We were both tired. We hadn’t made plans, didn’t know where to go.

By mid-day it was looking iffy.

But we went.

We went to the wine bar that we went to on our last date night. We just may end up there next time too. And I did a mini champagne tasting and it was so pretty and lovely and we talked and relaxed. And yes, we were home by 9:30 and I was in bed by 10 but that’s not the point at all.

her voice
I still miss the days when I could stop in and visit her. Pop in during lunch for a hug or a cuddle. Check in throughout the day via texts exchanged between me and Miss N in one day-long conversation. It’s been a year and a half and somedays I still feel unsettled at the thought that our morning hug goodbye must last hours and hours.

On Tuesday, I volunteered in her class. Helping her friends make collages for the big spring art project. She wasn’t on the list to make a collage that day. I didn’t actually get to spend any time with her at all while I was there. But as I worked, making dots of glue and sifting through Pom poms and yarn, I’d hear her voice. And I’d glance over and see her, with friends, doing her work, in her place.

When it was time for me to leave, she cried a bit and clung a bit but eventually moved happily back to the circle of her friends. And I felt a bit more settled.

happy meals
No, not that kind of happy meal. I’m talking about four people, two big, two small, sitting at a table, eating and smiling and chatting. And did I mention eating? Seriously, all four people eating. Happily.

We’re in that phase of life right now in which meal time is less dignified, less about the joy of eating and more about survival and negotiation. But on more than one occasion this week I was moved to remark on how lovely our dinner time had been. The happy and the eating. And I’m not naive enough anymore to believe we’ve crossed over. But once must celebrate the high points along the journey.

Favorite words

Blasting this one on the morning commute really does make a difference. Try it.

“Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah,
Well, give me all you got, and don’t hold back, yeah,
Well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine, yeah,
No offense to you, don’t waste your time
Here’s why

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do”

Pharrell, “Happy”

Happy weekend!