Setting the Home Table: Lovely Day

"Then I look at you and the world's alright with me..." Bill Withers

And then there was a year and here we are. Days are long but the years are short- as "they"say...
It has been a year. While the words in my head are there, I am frustrated by my ability, or lack there of to capture the narrative, so once again I promise to do better and post more.

Like the waves on the beach, we are lucky to dip our toes into each year, the past year has brought troughs and crests, some smooth and some rocky. Celebrations and moments of pause. And you our sweet girl, continue on your journey of "life lessons."

All of our hearts were made a bit more full when last fall our family grew with the addition of two felines. Our holiday impulse adoption of the brothers Tigger and Piglet has brought much adventure and mischief. School also brought new adventures as well as lessons, third grade held moments of academic and social peaks and valleys. SCH raised the bar last year and we spent many hours around the table working on of math drills and spelling. While more than a few nights brought on frustrations and a few tears, our girl persevered. We celebrated a reading milestone when after two years of working with the amazing "Ms Pos," Lila graduated with honors and laudable progress from her weekly tutoring sessions. The girls at SCH continue to grow and challenge. It was this year that Lila experienced what it feels like to be left out, and the importance of inclusion and kind words. With the help of sage Mrs. O'Neill, we navigated some classmate bumps and seem to have emerged stronger. We are grateful for the gift of the committed educators SCH provides.

Our life lessons were heavy this year. In January after several weeks of hospitalization following a stroke, we said goodbye to Grams. Lila was very lucky to have been near her Grams since we moved to Philadelphia. We are thankful for this proximity and the gifts it brought as we know Lila will always treasure the time she had with Grams.

Our bumpy year continued with an unexpected surgery, which put me out of commission for several weeks, and caused us to need to cancel our spring break to South Carolina. Piglet soon joined me in healing after a not so smooth landing sent us to the cat ER, resulting in a little less tail. Piglet and I comforted one another through our shared stitches and recuperation... Never a dull moment.

We continued to find silver linings created by times with family and friends, which always made the gray melt away. Family weekend in Vermont filled with fun on the ice and Lila's first time on skis (may be her last). Impromptu family gathering with the Cooper and Barras families. A trip of a lifetime to celebrate Mom's 70th- across the pond to London and Paris. Another epic birthday party-- "It's Not my First Rodeo it's my 9th," complete with a mechanical bull, just what every 9 year old girl across America requests. A great long beach weekend down at Stone Harbor with our good friends and our shared sets of "one and done" girls made for a much needed soul-recharge. We put the cherry on top of summer with a very special family trip to the the place it all began in "Ginny." Lila spread her wings of independence spending her first time away from home with a week in Michigan at "Camp Grauntie."

This has indeed been a year of wings being spread, bent and opened. It has been a year of grounding and grace. It has also been a year when my daughter began to hold me up. The other day we sat in a parking lot so I could finish a work call, and then I felt two small hands rubbing my shoulders. Sensing my frustration, she continued to rub my neck as work melted away. I often find notes on my desk with hearts, telling me to "just forget about work." Yes, Lila you make that easy, and just one look at you and I know it's going to be a lovely day....

Dear Nine-Year Old Girl,

Continue to bring your best, whether it be on the soccer field, the playground or the backyard. Keep singing your heart out for the world to hear. Try new foods and learn new words. Master those state capitals because next we move to the world. Push yourself just a little past your comfort zone and then a little more. Don't quit. Remember whining hurts everyone's ears. More honey less vinegar. Look everyone in the eye, especially when you meet them for the first time. Have a solid hand shake. Make your bed.

Keep challenging us, we are no where near having it all figured out, and we need your thoughts and creativity. Let's run that first 5k together step for step. Floss every night. Tell us your stories and share your dreams.

Shape our hope and wishes for you and make them your own. Take the lead sweet girl, you are on your way, and we and so many others are right behind you. Thank you for the absolute purest love and laughter your luster brings to our lives, the light that starts our days and crescendos our nights.

You will always be our favorite "bean in the bag."

Love,
Your Mom and Dad