A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

The boys woke up early on the weekend and quietly snuck a game from the closet. They took turns and laughed about the characters, a reminder of what fun my sister and I had as children.Their friendship is a gift and I pray it grows stronger with time.

Tonight was the first time she picked up a toy guitar.

So it now seems official that we should have band with all this talent.

This is a jam session in jammies with singing and dancing.

I am in awe of how quickly they grow.

of lettuce from a friend’s garden:

Each Sunday we have been meeting up for conversation and prayer. Thanks to her garden I can skip buying it at the store when it is fresh from (almost) next door.

My relationship with my Ji’chan was often like a father and daughter. He offered advice, expressed concerns (like asking how long I could live in a two bedroom apartment as a family of five), gave practical gifts (bike cart for Joe, label machine for me, new winter coats for the boys), cooked enough food so that there we always left overs, and would openly cry when talking about my Ba’chan.

So when people in my family say things like “I miss your father” or “tell your dad I say hello” it reminds me that others saw me in the same way. This doesn’t happen a lot, but when it does, it warms my heart.

Today my Uncle Yo (Ba’chan’s older brother from Chicago) started talking to me about “my father.” He had hoped to see Jich on this visit and shared kind words.
Even at 90 years old, he knew I was not my mother. He knew I was Kamisha and referred to me as my Jich’s daughter.

birthday for cousin Makayla!
party at the Santa Ana Zoo.
time wearing these sandals this spring.family celebration after a week of sadness (and I look forward to more).
mango cake.
warm weather recently where I forgot sunscreen but remembered a sun hat. party favors that we instantly unwrapped and put to use (animal themed water bottles- so cool!).
snack table that I loved.
party without Joe (he is approaching finals week at school) but Grammy was there to help.
She took the boys on the carousel and the train ride.

one of many life lessons modeled for me by Ji’chan. In fact, the last meal with both of my grandparents was home cooked, served by them, in their home. A simple gesture of invaluable worth and this is how they spent so much of their lives. They served others.

So when I missed the art auction of my children last week, but had an opportunity to participate in a teacher’s appreciation dinner this week (either in helping in person or contributing money), I signed up.

My heart didn’t feel completely up to going but I signed up anyway, early in the week. I half heartedly dressed myself last night meditating on the excuses I could give to back out.

But by the time I got there, the dinner shift was wrapping up and I easily slipped into an anonymous role: wiping tables, emptying trash cans, serving drinks, cutting cake. The seventy plus teachers were lively and grateful. Multiple times over last night I met eyes with folks saying thank you, my response back was “no, thank you.” They serve all three of my kids, and many others tirelessly. 

But beyond that, they had given me a few hours to suspend my own worries and troubles to focus on others.

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

I looked over this afternoon, while talking with a friend, and caught this little munchkin.

She is going to be like her brothers: brave and adventurous.
(It’s as if I can feel my hair already turning grey).

on the dawn of a new month, that as my heart searches for meaning and peace, I take comfort in the small beginnings like the sprouting of this plant.
Just like this plant has required very little, it has been your cards, phone calls, emails, hugs, and love nourishing my broken heart.