Photography by Graydon Tate
Life never stops surprising me. Take the month of May for example. Any mom of school-aged kids knows that this is the busiest month of the year. There are tests, end-of-year parties, recitals, playoffs, spring musicals, banquets, teacher gifts, graduations and more. Then there’s this year. Who would have thought?
Instead of scurrying around town while cursing Sign Up Genius, I’m walking up and down the stairs of my house delivering laundry, making sure the bird feeders are full and trying to find a good recipe for strawberries. It’s not all bad — just different.
As our state prepares to reopen slowly, I’m going to focus on those differences and try to build a new schedule that fulfills my expectations and my family’s, not everyone else’s. There goodness in intention, and I intend to find it. There’s the Wink!
That said, it’s time for Weekly Winks. Every Friday I share the Winks of Goodness I experienced throughout the week because I’ve found that writing down and formally acknowledging these suckers gives them more power. I encourage you to share your own Weekly Winks on my site or on social media. Look around and write it down — share the goodness.
Saturday — Today my darling husband, John, turned 50! Friends drove by and honked, and The Tots and I simply enjoyed celebrating what a wonderful person he is. It was the best day!
Sunday— I saw the old lady booking it down Catawba Avenue (read Take a Good Look Around — June 29, 2019). I hadn’t seen her in forever, so it was wonderful to know that’s she’s okay, crossbody and all, and still making her way around town. COVID-19 has nothing on this chick.
Monday — I ran past Mr. Green Jeans’ house during my run. No, that’s not his real name, and I have no idea what his real name is, but I do know that he can grow absolutely anything. Today a waft of honeysuckle greeted me as I ran by. Heaven!
Tuesday— I walked with my soul sister in Jetton Park. (Yes, we followed the social distance rules.) It was so nice to talk under the trees and just breathe.
Wednesday— The Tots and I took a “science field trip” to Carrigan Farms to pick strawberries. (Again, we followed the social distance rules.) Being out in the strawberry field was pure magic.
Thursday — Margot discovered a new honeysuckle bush in her grandparents’ yard down the street. She’s starting a honeysuckle scent business, so she was super excited.
Friday— Hamilton, one of our tabby cats, snuggled with me before I got up this morning. This was especially sweet since he was in the hospital exactly a year ago today, and we weren’t sure he was going to make it.
Remember that we are all in this together. Think about how you want your life to be different (in a good way) when the world reopens and make it so. Stay well!