Thursday - 279th

So many lovely moments! Perhaps not in the predictable places. Morning walk was okay, but I held a can of rotted cat food in my hand so I missed my moment of meditation. Less like ahhhhhh and more like yuk. 

A message then from my friend who was in the hospital, undergoing surgery. It went well! Yes!

And breakfast is sweet, though we have a visitor who grabs Ed's attention.

Then the kids come. Their arrival is always so terrific that I make sure I can be outside to greet them.

Inside, we are preparing for something that I cannot mention because it's a wee surprise for parental types. Suffice it to say that Snowdrop excitedly brought from home bits an pieces of an outfit she wants to use as a costume. Good for her! Making do with what's available. (Checking it out in the mirror upstairs.)

We practice.

Well, just Snowdrop. Sparrow balks. He only wants to practice something that would have him "dress up" in the only way he knows how: with a dress. I try to coax him out of it, but he dug in his little heels.

Snowdrop then begs for a reread of one of her favorite books. I agree, so long as Sparrow is engaged in independent play. And the little guy more than cooperates and we are able to finish the whole book. We do, of course, pause for remote kindergarten.

What a difference a day makes: Snowdrop has an interesting combo of kids in her "playgroup" and I could see she is, for once, engaged and happy.

(Sparrow tries out the school desk, at other times used as our wee coffee table...)

I have the kids back home by 2, because the teacher is doing something sweet this afternoon -- visiting each child in her or his home. To wave from behind a window or a door. To exchange greetings. Real contact. A real treat.

 I hurry home to Ed and propose skiing. Sixth day in a row, on a modest base of snow -- not bad. 

Sunset...

This is when I get the message that there has been an unexpected death in the family. A father to my son in law, a grandpa to the kids. Covid did not kill him, but dying at the time of Covid is especially tough on those who are left behind. I know Grandma T is a loyal Ocean reader. Let me just end with a warm hug.

Do know that we are all with you tonight.

With love.