Locusts and bumblebees and katydids whirring in the background, clear blue skies, and sunshine floating down on top of us… and my husband and I reading. Side by side. Both of us, for fun. Just because.
This moment, I assure you, has not happened, since… I cannot tell you when. Certainly one of us has read for work or out of obligation, plenty, while the other maybe indulged in a fun book. Parenthood has not loaned itself to much in the way of gratuitous self care, and rewinding back, before parenthood began for us, nearly 13 years ago, we were residents and clinical fellows, and before that, keeping our respective heads above water in medical and graduate schools. We certainly have read books, for learning and advancing academic achievement, for fun here and there, but pulling out a book in the daytime, under the sunshine, at our *house* (not on a trip away from the kids) never felt possible, and, it never felt so light. So simultaneously luxurious.
Our kids are getting a bit older now. More independent. Our interests, more varied.
Quarantine and the pandemic have caused a massive slowdown in our family’s world. My husband’s recent eye injury caused another one. Both situations are rough, no doubt… but they both crack the door open for a narrow sliver of light to pour in. This moment today was one such slice of light.
There’s a boatload of weirdness and struggle and strife… and this moment didn’t last long… but this one little segment of this one little day was pretty solid.
Care to share your thoughts?