Summer

It's so weird to have summer without the kids and their energy. Don't get me wrong - their energy sometimes makes me a little nuts, but having them around for a few weeks seems to mark the season. I'm very much at loose ends, and I don't get anything done.

The kids are off doing cool things and learning a lot, so I really can't complain. Patrick seems to be thriving; Anna is struggling a bit. It's not the first time that I felt like I wasn't able to help her - she's never been as open as Patrick, and she keeps her own counsel. But it is the first time she's been so far away with such limited access to phones, computers, etc. She talks to us when she can, and she texts a lot, but the issues belong to her, the solutions have to be found by her, and she will be stronger by the end of her South American adventure. The thing about "character-building" experiences, however, is that you ALWAYS feel like your character was just fine before, thank you very much. When it's happening, it just feels like pain and hassle. And the mommy in me is NOT happy about her pain. I want to fix it, and I can't. I seem to spend my day repeating prayers for her - for safety, for confidence, for street smarts, and for joy. I want her to be happy. And I want her to come home. Sigh.