Getting Back to Normal

First, there are the back-to-school sales. Then friends in other counties begin posting first-day-of-school pictures. School buses are suddenly everywhere. All this despite my best incantations. It’s true, school is closing in on us. For my family school isn't back in session until just after Labor Day and for that I'm thankful. I realize this year has been a nightmare for so many, but for me it’s been a gift in many ways. We spent so much time together and it was great. Yes, my kids miss school and I want them to have that busy and productive life, but I’ll miss them.

As they’ve gotten older, they’ve developed into such interesting and fun people. This past year saw many of us stay inside and stay put due to quarantine and these restrictions helped me discover that I enjoy doing absolutely nothing with my girls. We stayed up late working on puzzles, baked treats and watched movies or listened to music. Took long walks. My oldest and I binged AVATAR and THE LEGEND OF KORRA. And JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE. Not only did I enjoy hanging with my girl, but I walked away stunned and impressed by the insane talent and creativity of Hirohiko Araki. We’re about to start a Ghibli marathon and I can’t wait. HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE is up first.

My youngest and I set on a mission to watch every Marvel movie or series available. She has decided to become Lady Marvel, the all-knowing Marvel expert. We had the serious discussion about comic vs. movie and how she needs to be able to debate timelines, meanings, and cannon for both. She set her sights on the Captain Marvel comics as her first series to conquer and now her shelves are running over. Plus, she introduced me to KPOP with Seventeen, Taemin, and Red Velvet. There’s a lot more to the music than some might think. And frankly some of the dancers in the field are better than anyone from the west. It’s been fun. In return, I introduced her to Stevie Nicks.

I’ve been needed more this past year than ever before. My kids had a lot to deal with and digest, like all kids. After all, it seems like Mother Nature turned on us and then we turned on each other. My mom and dad had a tough year. Both in their eighties, their health was one roller coaster ride after another. I’m so grateful that I’ve had this chance to take care of them and nurture them. My girls watch me and I know they see the kindness and consideration I try to shower on Nana and Popi. They know it’s important to love someone with all your heart while they’re still here. Fancy words and actions after the fact mean very little. A lot of lessons were learned these past months and we’ve all been so very lucky. So yes, I think I’m going to have a very hard time sending my kids back to school.