We moved to our quaint, historic town in August 2016, A tiny village surrounded by an almost perfect circle of preserved farm land, our Mayberry. Our kids were little, they would just be starting 2nd and 5rd grade. We thought the move would be less of an adjustment with them so young. They are now 11 and 14 years of age . The sad passing of my father in law and an electrical fire at my mother in law’s home happened and we added a favorite cousin , beloved mother in law and 2nd dog.

We started the Shelter In Place as a family of 6. I think one of the skills that I have acquired during this surreal time is observation . Bear is our 100 pound rescued dog . He has bleach, white long hair, brown spotted ears. He is an unusual mix , the body of golden retriever and face of a Pit ,goofy, and so very lovable . Every day I walk him around the same loop in the near by park. I observe the frost on the new blades of grass and magnolia tree budding.

The air seems cleaner , less cars and airplanes will do that. The world seems to be frozen on pause. That is except our kids.. They are coming of age under our noses. My son now sees me eye to eye . He flexes his bicep like he did when he was 5 years old proud of how strong he is but now he has a man’s biceps. Our 90 year old stairs shake when the boys stomp down them. The boys are men/children., sweet boys in men’s bodies . My daughter singing and dancing through life., they are discovering who they are in their brand new almost adult bodies… Adolesence here we come.