Thanks for the proximity.

Having everyone home all day every day is challenging and chaotic, even and especially when Matt and I are working and the kids are all doing virtual school, but at the same time it is also such a silver lining to pandemic life for us. 

I have been feeling this lately. A swell of gratitude when I poke my head in to ask Matt a quick question and he greets me smiling. A physical feeling of peace when Polly sidles up to me during her break and asks to learn how to use the iron. A suppressed giggle when I overhear Ida playing the trumpet for her band teacher on Google Meet. A wave of affection when Lars comes running in smelling like fresh air and dirt, chattering nonstop about whatever he saw at the playground during lunch. A sense of pride when Theo starts to tease or get angry and then visibly changes his mind, making a good and cooperative choice. A snug satisfaction when I go to turn out the last light and I see that everyone is asleep for the night (finally... at 11 pm...) after they’ve all spent the evening together in one of their bedrooms joking and quoting movie lines to each other. Yes I’ll take all the silver linings.