Good Company

Hanging out with the cool kids—mine

Dear Friends,

Earlier this week, the kids and I drove the hill up to their school. They usually take the bus, but Henry had an early AP exam. After dropping him off, Maira and I drove to a nearby coffee shop and set up our laptops. She was putting the finishing touches on a slideshow for class, and I was getting a head start on my work for the day. Every few minutes, we’d take a sip of our drinks and compare notes.

It wasn’t a vision of motherhood I’d ever imagined. It was better.

When Henry was able to sit up on his own, Rama and I placed him in a bumbo seat on the couch between us. We watched TV while Henry grinned and babbled and kicked his feet up. “He’s such good company!” we exclaimed. Sixteen years later, I can say that Henry still is, and so is Maira.

I am continuously surprised and delighted by the adults they are growing into. They’re kind and capable, smart and creative. We talk about politics and relationships, philosophy and art. And we have fun. We have so much fun.

As Henry and Maira change, so does motherhood. But one thing never does: I’m so grateful they’re mine.

xo Christine

---

Good Things

• Finding the kids’ baby footprints and realizing they’re the same basic shape

• All the graduating seniors in my life (I’m so proud of them!)

• The arts festival at Rama’s school was so inspiring

• Taking the city bus to the library with Maira

• Writing on the porch

• Surprise care package from dear friends

• Bucatini is my new favorite pasta shape

• Picking a sprig of Italian parsley off my kitchen windowsill

• A new bathroom faucet

• Adding sea salt to storebought rice krispy treats

  

Good Poem

Mothers Carrying Things
by Rachel Beachy

We begin by carrying the car seat,
the diaper bag, the pump parts
and pacifiers. Then they grow
and bring us collected rocks,
Lego blocks, remains of snacks,
dirty tissues. All of this, we take in
so they will know: whatever you
hand to me, I can handle -
no matter how heavy it gets.
I once carried my whole world
in the crook of my elbow.
There is nothing I cannot hold for
you.

Good Deed of the Day

Say thank you. Whether it’s to the person who serves you coffee or the one who teaches your kid… those two words can mean so much.