How We Do It: Part VI in a series

For some reason, blessed and welcome, the darker the edge and closer the chaos, the more we draw in, together. Last night, I lay on my bed with Sophie next to me, her legs stretched out under the blanket, her head on my shoulder. The boys were wilding up and down the hall and while I was tempted to do my usual yelling at them to stop and chill out, take it down a level, please STOP!, I refrained and they eventually made their way into the room, tumbling and falling (why doesn't it hurt?). Henry put on my black clogs, looked ridiculous in his boxer shorts and braces, a giant goofball, the dog ambled in and around, taking it in stride, and Oliver rolled on the floor and laughed when his brother kicked up the clogs and danced. I grabbed my phone and filmed the spectacle and we all collapsed laughing. Sophie smiled her secret smile, tendrils on her cheeks, wisps of recognition, the center of life as we know it.