Morning at the Wrights.

Smells like the salty air of the ocean a few blocks down. Tastes of red wheat berry pancakes with rapadura cinnamon swirls. Sounds like quiet voices from the bedroom and neighbors walking dogs. Feels peaceful and serene. Just like I knew it would.

Glimpses of a morning at my sister's home. One of the highlights of being home for me was seeing the nest she and her husband have built.

Watch this: Run Boy Run

(I got a new camera to play with. We're still getting to know each other.)

Terrain at Westport

A few glimpses of the beautiful event, a few weekends ago, celebrating the opening of Terrain's new location in Westport, CT. Amazing finger foods, fun people, and oh so many lovely things to look at. One of my favorites being the work of this man. Definitely worth a visit to those in NYC or surrounding areas! It's lovely. 

Digging for Sand Crabs

Spent the last week in San Diego with family and the perfect mix of sun and breeze... There is something so grounding about being where you were raised- in the house filled with memories, the views that remind you of the thoughts you gave them, the early morning sounds that have changed so little with time, the voices and embraces of lifelong dearlings. I leave feeling a sense of liberation and gratitude for what was, and what is. It makes us ponder how to create an equally foundational home for our daughter. 

walk to the bay

The walk from Grandma's to the bay is worth the whole drive. We stretch, breathe fresh air, and see the way the landscape has changed from last time.  

Rinah has recently discovered the joy of blowing a dying dandelion. 

being a mother...

Right now I'm sitting in the room I spent all my life in- the room that was mine as I grew up. The structure is still similar- the desk, the bed, the shelves all in the same places. I remember waking up every morning and seeing this face, on a photo, that hung on the side of my desk, that was in front of my eyes when they opened. It was of a four year old girl with all her baby teeth still in tact. A profile below told her name, her age, where she lived, what she liked doing, etc. It ended with 'I'm scared of getting malaria'. Of course she was scared of that. Death dressed itself in malaria. 

I was so young then. As she was there, being such an adult. Going through things I am still wrapping my head around. 

Soon that same face will be before my waking eyes. This time it moves, has life I never dreamed of. Her teeth are a mixture of permanent, missing, and soon to be gone. They live inside a house that's smile is one of the dearest mysteries I'll ever know. A house that forms the words 'I love you so much, mommy' more times a day than I can keep track of. And I'm overcome.

. . .

Hope all of you who nurture and care and mother know that you are doing something beautiful and nothing short of incredible. And all of you who have nurtured and helped our family this last year, days like this, we think of you and feel ever so thankful.

Photos by Beth Murphy