A Quiet Evening

 It has been a long, peaceful Sunday.  The dogs were up early, and the daylight savings had all of us a little jilted ad unsure of what time it really was all day!  Lots of cleaning including laundry and dishes has me feeling prepared for the week ahead.  Haircuts, a drop-off to Goodwill, and a grocery run added to the feelings of accomplishment!  The highlight of the day for me was a long 8 mile walk with the dogs before the house was awake, but I had already had coffee and the dogs were ready for some exercise!  There is something about walking with them that, after a short while, they call into a rhythm and we all just have a good runaround and an excellent rest on the couch after we return.  

The entire day was filled with warm sunshine once the morning winds died down.  There is something about the sunshine and increase in temperature that lifts the spirit, especially after such a bitter winter.  The day was filled with warm breezes and often I felt a little too warm when standing in the direct sunlight once the light winds die down.  The days give promises of spring (...and summer) break just a few short weeks away.  

It is a bitter-sweet time in that we are starting to talk more and more with Audrey about plans after high school, which are often difficult for me to even comprehend.  I see a few close friends who have already sent their children off to college and beyond...but there really isn't anything that can prepare ultimately for her first true steps away from her first home.  Sigh.  I am just so proud of her...of Violet, and Sam, too.  

Watching them find success in their own lives is just so special to observe.  Getting to watch Sam swim each week and get a little faster and a little stronger when he had a broken leg just a few years ago...

Seeing Violet perform amazing solo and duet pieces, earn high honors, and continue to be just such a unique person outside of school....

Sitting as I watch Kim direct meetings of significance for her company, and knowing that she loves what she is doing, and is superbly qualified at it...

I am just so proud of my family.  They will do so many things in their lives that will add value and beauty and kindness to the world.  I love them so much.  What a lucky man I am.

-a

Early Morning March

 This past February seemed to take much longer than the calendar would suggest.  I don't know if it's the darkness of the winter, the extended plateau of bitter cold days, the waves of flu and colds that worked their way through our family....but February was a long month for us.  There is something about reaching the month of March that is refreshing and invigorating in terms of planning and looking ahead towards warmer days, more sunlight, and appreciating the little things like birds chirping in the morning and Spring Break is officially later "this month"!

Speaking of adventures...some possible rough outlines of plans to return to Juneau this summer are beginning to emerge, so that is something to truly savor and begin to look forward to!  There are many possibilities and dreams, and we are fortunate to be able to choose our own adventures for the most part.  I hope that dreaming of adventures and looking forward to events and experiences is something my children continue to do all of their own lives.  It is important to seek the next experience and find the fun.  It gives hope and provides purpose.  

The sun has now fully risen into the morning sky and there is a crisp bite to the morning air as some of the overnight frost retreats from the moving line of sun on the back lawn.  A fire is going in the fireplace and pushes a comforting blanket of warmth into the room.  The dogs are enjoying their full access to the couch, curled-up on blankets and pillows, dozing in their after-breakfast glory.  

The day lies before us...as does the new month...as does the rest of the year....and so on and so forth.  How lucky we are.  

-a