the way forward

It's been quiet on our homefront for the last month.  We settled into a routine with morning walks, wonderful nannies in the morning while we work, naps and more work, then playing outside in the afternoons.  

As work got busy we had less time to work on projects at the house, even in our "free" time, and if I'm being honest we also had less creative energy to use in that way.  For the most part, all of our vision, adaptability, and creativity has gone into reimagining life at home (in the home), figuring out school for our kids, working and building a side business, and preparing to enter the new normal.  (I won't even call it reentry because nothing about this is the same for us!)

Our boys are going back to school next week-- sort of-- and it seemed right to celebrate the "end of summer" at home.  I feel nostalgia, sadness, fear, relief, and also excitement for the new adventures ahead.  We are beginning to cast a vision for what life will be for our family going forward.  So for the last month, we've prioritized summer fun:  a neighbor's pool for the short time it was available, slip & slide in the backyard undeterred by a bee sting (mine), getting muddy at the well, painting outdoors, popsicles on the deck, and making ice cream with our nanny.   It's been the summer of any kid's dreams.

To me the only way forward, and the only way to reinvigorate my enthusiasm for working on this property, is to celebrate how much it has served us all spring and summer.  My kids played happily for months, even though they barely set foot anywhere else.  We grew (and continue to grow) amazing vegetables in our garden with minimum attention.  Our house comfortably gave us space to work, play, and sleep in all kinds of weather. 

Today we paid tribute to our endless summer by drawing a map of our property, complete with messy and imperfect and well-loved landmarks you may not recognize.  We love it.   It may not show us the way forward, but it shows us right where we are. 

Be present, and I guess the rest will come. 

My dad taught me, this is how we build a self.  This is how we grow our bubble, our strength, our confidence, and our resiliency.  We start with what we know right where we are, at the core.  And then we go out a little further.  Return, rest, and explore again.  Make your own maps for what you find.  Be a map-maker, and I'll never lose your way.