Walking home through the cemetery fields, I noticed how brown the grass is — pretty much withered.
That’s a particularly beautiful walk, high enough up above the village that I can see how Hardwick lies in a narrow valley along the river, cradled between forested mountains.
So much of my life often seems defined by absence — the children’s missing father, not enough money, shy of parenting patience, lacking skills to fence in my daughter’s chickens. And yet, here we live, nestled between these mountains, with two sweet cats and three laying hens.
Reminder to self: define by what is, not what isn’t.
Montpelier, Vermont
Stony Soil Vermont 
So true! Well said….
Yes! Such good advice!
That is particularly good advice. Slippery, though.
Good point, Brett, and a fine reminder for me. Thanks for your wisdom!
I love this photo – your daughter’s so closely resemble one another, it’s like some sort of magic mirror, showing a reflection of what was and what is.
Also, as a parent, it was really nice to read that sometimes we all get caught up defining by what is lacking – thanks for the reminder to turn it around.
Thanks to all you parents! Parenting really is a unique club, isn’t it?
Thanks for this. While the struggle may be real, the joy far outweighs it.
Completely true. Thanks!