The Weeks Between • HS

Week 2 • Nola

This morning we are heading to run around and play at the Heath. We've been able to take the car  few days now and having finally gotten the correct carseats. Let me tell you, being able to drive us places has been such a huge life upgrade. It might sound crazy, but in this current state of so much restriction, going for a drive everyday has been life changing. We have learned all of the stores or restaurants that offer curbside pick up, and our trunk has been doing overtime getting filled up with all sorts of goodies.

I step outside on our way down to the garage and notice the daily delivery of produce from Harry. In this mornings note, he said he would be gone starting tomorrow, for the next few days. He also said that we are welcome to use the gate between the hedges and pick vegetables from the garden while he is away.

After spending the entire morning at the park, all three girls fall asleep on the ride home. So, now, of course, I'm battling what to do now. Do I go home and try and move them, or just drive around and let them sleep? I decided on the second option, taking some time to learn more about the area we're living in, broadening my horizons past the grocery store and pharmacy in town.

Two full hours later, we arrive back at the house. I wake all three girls and take multiple trips with them, bringing everything into the house while Hattie sits in her carseat in the foyer. "Girls, why don't we go and put on a show for a little while, and I can start getting things together for dinner."

"OK, mama," Lottie says, bounding off with Mia close behind. Hattie stays with me in the kitchen in her high chair as I start to get everything together for homemade pizza night.

I decide to open the windows in the kitchen and dining room. The continued fresh air is glorious, and I am feeling happy for the first time in a long time. It could be the medication that my therapist finally talked me into trying, or the time away, but whatever the reason, I am grateful for the momentary feeling of contentment.

I chop veggies while dancing to an eclectic playlist. Turning the music up when the song Sledgehammer comes on. It was Luke's favorite, and this is the first time that listening to it since him leaving has made me happy. The girls hear the song and immediately join the kitchen dance party as I finish the pizzas, now belting the lyrics at the top of my lungs.

After dinner, I brought the girls outside to blow some bubbles on the back porch, but mother nature had an even better plan.

Fireflies.

An entire meadow is blinking with the tiny green lights. The girls are mesmerized by the fluttering lights and they are thrilled to learn that the twinkling lights are actually dozens, if not hundreds, of tiny bugs. With Hattie in her carrier, nestled against me, I run inside to grab two mason jars for Mia and Lottie to try and catch some of the magical insects.

They run through the yard, without a care in the world, giggling wildly and chasing the sporadic blinking lights. I pray that the neighbor isn't too annoyed, as I see that he is on his back patio with a few guests. The girls get a little too close to his property and before I know it Mia is running through the back of his yard to chase a particular firefly.

"Mia, sweetie, come back to our yard." I warn, chasing after her to pull her back to our side of the yard, feeling mortified for her intrusion.

""MAMA!!! I GOT IT!" Mia screams, jumping up and down, proudly holding the jar. "It has blinky butt," she screams as she remains unaware that she is no longer in our yard; focused entirely her prized possession flashing in the clear glass.