The husband is at work. The lunches are made. The kids are at Camp. The dog has been to the dog park and is now sleeping on the floor. No one is scheduled to come to the house. It is the first time since Summer began that I can sit down and just relax and be alone. My first thought is to reflect and write.

My daughter is growing up. I adore looking at her with her long gazelle legs and her skinny girl body. She just got a beautiful short haircut – her own idea – and shed the long baby hair. She is having play dates and going swimming and has a beautiful tan with a smattering of freckles across her nose. She sleeps late and seems happy. I know this is the calm before the storm as she threatens to become a full blown adolescent.

My son is going to camp and has friends. He is bruised and scabbed and much darker then the rest of us. He has “tiger feet” from the uneven tan his Keens make. He falls asleep instantly at night telling me he is playing hard.

Everyone seems to be in a good groove. We have settled into our summer routine, a slower and less rushed pace. This moment is so fragile. I will try to appreciate it until the spell is broken.

Elisabeth