last night

Lately, the evenings have been beautiful. Bright... with a cool breeze flowing by. Too nice to be inside... and yet, most nights I still sit. Being a social kind of girl, I'd rather not walk without a buddy... and once seven o'clock hits, most everyone has settled into their own evening routine. Last night, I could hardly stand to be inside... and I thought to ask my kids to go for a walk with me. I had talked myself out of it before long... but headed out to the car in search of a nametag I need... and then I heard it. The tinny song of the ice cream truck. We haven't heard it in quite a while... two summers ago it would swing down our street every night... but there it was. In the rush to corral the kids... and find a few dollars, they missed it going by the end of the street. But the air... it was so nice. Too nice to be inside. Soon our evenings will be sticky and the air thick... but right now... we chose to seize the moment. Laura and Cam hopped on their bikes and off they went... in search of the ice cream truck. And that was enough to get me out and walking. I didn't have to keep up with their mad pace... it was enough to just be out there with them... even in the distance... even out of my sight. And I was glad. I was glad to have the push. Along the way I stopped to talk to a woman from our church, who just happened to be outside... I learned that a friend had moved into our neighborhood... and I saw the kids find the ice cream truck. What joy as they raced towards me balancing their treats- Cam's in his hand, Laura's between her teeth! In these moments I feel like I am doing my job well... Cooked a healthy dinner? Check. Played outside with my kids? Check. Allowed Laura & Cam to chase the ice cream truck? Check. Tonight my kids will likely deem me the best Mom ever... and once in a while... I need that. Even if it ends up that a certain young man now has blue teeth...