we four

We left our oldest daughter in Michigan a couple weeks back.  There were some tears (Oh, they were happy ones!) and tight embraces.  She's in good hands; she's found her people; she's thriving.

We arrived home a little off-balance as a family, though, with the scales heavily tilted now toward the males and extroverts.  G and I, delighted to be left at home for endless hours, will have to fight for our quiet moments.  M and I will work hard to keep our delicate feminine sensibilities from being overshadowed.  It's a transition.

And, in a way, we're back to just the three youngest children and me, like the beginning of the summer when Fr. G, Z, and M were in Greece.  Big M is away at school and sports, out with friends, and finishing up his summer job.  Fr. G often works late, attending meetings, and arriving home after most of us are sleeping deeply.  The house is very quiet now.

The trio and I do our school work, with varying levels of enthusiasm and willingness.  We jaunt out to collect creek water for our new elodea plant, the sun bearing down on us and turning their hair into blinding halos of white.  We soak up the last few drops of chlorinated pool water before the pool closes this weekend, and I contemplate the wisdom of joining a local YMCA for indoor swimming this winter.  (Leaning toward a yes.)

I'm struggling to adjust to all of the beginnings and returns to routine.  I prepared all summer for school and getting Z off to college, but didn't think much past the date of her orientation.  Maybe that's why September's approach doesn't feel as gentle as it has in years past.  It's way too abrupt.  Ah, well.  To everything there is a season and all that.  xo