Busy Normal

Back from Halifax we slid into sick
Coughs and sniffles
Honey lemon ginger tea and tissues.

And unfortunately wheezy gasps as well

Dad besieged with cold and asthma

And even now belabored breathing.

Mom joining the family in study
Reading, thinking, writing
Assignments and deadlines for everyone

Surprise, surprise!

Driver's Ed called Jasmin for driving practice

She's doing really well

But why her and not Grace yet?

Aiden thoroughly enjoying co-op
Mostly for a day with friends
But also learning through hands-on experiments.

Mom up and out 2 mornings a week

Swimming with a new friend

Coming home thoroughly tired and satisfied.

Morning walks in the dark
Fall carpet of bright leaves illuminating the woods
In the faint light of dawn.

Weather confused, warm and cold

Snow has already arrived and left

And spring seeds confused have begun to sprout

A week of hosting and being hosted
Old friends and new
Sharing food and sharing lives.

Travel planning, ticket searching
Spurred on by Halloween sales
Edmonton at Christmas, Thailand in February

Yet quite content and relieved
November and December to be at home
Room for a busy normal:

Driving practice, schoolwork, hosting and being hosted,
 Enjoying the different weather,
Swimming, co-op, dog walks,
Consulting, counseling, loving others,
Dreaming about what extra event might be coming next.