Weekend Shenanigans… and Thank You

Andrew was out of the country for the past six days, so it was just a mama and her boys! We had plenty of fun interspersed with the craziness of trying to prepare paperwork and other details for the upcoming filming. Then my Ingrid ended up in the ER and I felt truly helpless not being able to be with her, not having family or childcare nearby to come stay with the boys. Being part of a wonderful community here means so much to me, and I always feel that I want to give more than I do. So I did what I could — I watched her girls and took five kids to the pool for the day, ordered pizzas, and gave hugs. You do what you can, even if it doesn’t feel like enough.

I was struck by our community again when, on Friday night, I walked with the boys under these blue skies to Winslow’s Home (our local general store and restaurant) for an after-dinner cookie when we found ourselves stranded there while torrents of rain poured down. The chef came out with a glass of wine and played Pokemon cards with Milo, sat at our table, bounced Emil on his knee and laughed with us for nearly an hour while we waited for the rain to pass. Milo asked the next day if we could go back and see Chef Will (he knew the real rules of the game after all). It’s the kind gestures of people we meet, the strangers who smile and giggle (instead of frown and judge) at three extremely rambunctious boys who have trouble standing still or keeping the noise level below a dull roar in the copy center as we print and scan and wait and wait! People are forgiving. People are good. 

And then on Sunday, shortly after Andrew arrived home, we were so lucky to hang out with our friends Brian and Jamie and their two absolutely adorable babes. It was a burgers-and-beer kind of night, humid and a little sticky and full of Emil changing underwear a million times because he wanted to show off his new superhero pack-of-five all in one night. And I was reminded again of how easy they are to be with, how natural and nice and just down-to-earth. It is truly great to have these people in our lives.

There is so much I am grateful for — but most of all I am grateful for people. For the relationships we have built and the joy that they bring. Life is nothing without them: Andrew, my boys, all of our family far and near, the friends we miss and love who live all over this country, all over this world. The people who live close by and care for us and our boys and make themselves available to us. They all make life rich and meaningful. They all humble me and teach me so much.Thank you, also, for your kind words and support on this blog. I never expected it to be anything more than a place to share and store memories, but it has become so much more than that. I honestly enjoy each and every time someone reaches out to us through this platform. I constantly find myself touched and inspired by you, left thinking more deeply about things I thought I knew. Thank you for it all. I am so grateful for you!