United?

I sat down to make a shopping list of items I needed to buy at the store. But, I knew I'd forgotten one thing in particular, I just couldn't remember what it was...

Talking to myself, I said, "I can't remember what it is I forgot."

Norah overheard me, rolled her eyes and said through laughter,

"Well, Mom, that's what 'forgets' are."

Norah experienced two important rites of passage this week:

Cotton Candy at the Phillies game.

Cinnamon Twists at Taco Bell.

She'd never tasted either.
The whole world seems to be opening up to her right now and it's fun to watch.

Yesterday, we spent some time in the sunshine.
We visited Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.

A late breakfast + an early lunch = Smores for dinner.

The other day, Norah asked for more broccoli.
What?!

You've got to be thankful for the little victories along the way.

An old photo of Norah running ahead of me.


A more recent photo of her running ahead toward the same park.

Carefree, she ran into the park to play,
her face uplifted to the sun
that day...
While I
aware of brewing storms
that etched
the sky,
clutched at fear
and nursed it.
Then I
saw her hand
outstretched
like a small child;
and while I watched,
Another Hand
reached down and clasped it.

I heard the distant thunder
with a smile.

-Ruth Bell Graham