Day 1004 Joy

A day in historic Colonial Williamsburg without the crowds or summer heat was such a treat. It had been 36 years since I last visited the sites—back then, I had two small children in tow, the sun was relentless, and the crowds were overwhelming. It’s no wonder I hadn’t returned until now. Visiting this time was an entirely different and genuinely pleasant experience.

My son seems to think he needs to dazzle us with outings—and while they are fun—my favorite parts of the trip are much simpler. Sitting in his comfy chair, listening to him chat with his brother, or diving into our fiercely competitive rounds of board games brings me the most joy.

It was also a day of celebration: my youngest received some wonderful news, the kind that makes you believe the universe is conspiring in your favor. Rolling into Mother’s Day weekend, being able to spend time with my grown-up kids and be with them to celebrate their happiness feels as close to perfect as life can get.

Back on the home front, Tim hasn’t had it easy. Coyotes in the backyard during the early hours of the morning had the chickens in a panic. Once again, poor Tim was outside in nothing but his boxers, scaring off predators and protecting our flock. He was happy to report that all the hens—and Pep—were safe, even if it cost him a good night's sleep.

I’d love to have Tim join me on my next adventure, but it’s comforting to know he’s at home, holding down the fort with such devotion. For now, my heart is full, my spirit is light, and I’m already dreaming of our next family gathering—whether it’s a big outing or another game night filled with laughter.