Today was quiet. I took Sophie on a long walk and then myself on a decent run. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself beyond that so I came home and packed a small beach bag. The week ahead looks like rain (Thank God) so I figured I might as well enjoy some Maine summer. Just as I was about to leave, Lily surprised me by coming home and she decided she would join.

We drove to Stover’s Cove which a little spit of land that juts out of Harpswell Neck. You can drive your car right onto the beach which is unusual in Maine but makes for an easy spot to get to quickly. We took out our chairs, spread a blanket and sunned ourselves as long as the rising tide would let us.

I relish these times with my kids. Sometimes these surprise opportunities to hang out are better than the ones we plan for and have high expectations for. Lily and I chatted easily about her preparation for college and discussed the heaviness of the difficult goodbyes she is facing in the upcoming week.

I am happy to be friends with my children. Now as grown adults, I feel I have a connection that is a bit more even and honest. James came for dinner after playing basketball. We ate burritos and we talked about his new apartment and the upcoming semester of college where he will be doing a pediatric rotation in the hospital. He is such an amazing man. He is thoughtful, empathetic, and smart as a whip. I could not be prouder. It will be hard to have such distance between us this fall and I aim to bridge it with as much Face Time as he will tolerate.

A woman walked by Lily and I at the beach and said, “one hour”, I believe to warn us about the tide rising closer to our blanket. I am very mindful of time right now. It passes at once quickly and with infuriating delay. I described myself to a friend as a horse kicking the gate prior the start of a big race. I am impatient and scared shitless. It’s time to open the gate, fire the gun and start running.