after the rain

day after drenching day of it

and after the front yard flooding

which made my girl ask, Are we safe? because right now the world seems kind of wobbly…

and after days spent indoors,

story writing and art making and reading and playing games of mancala

(the whole family around the table playing a gorgeous wood-carved version

 and the version made by my boy)

and after days where dishes of hot, fresh apple crumble 

were just what we needed…

the sun came out,

and did this to the clothes.

And then…?

Our after-dinner,

twilight walks 

came back…

perhaps the last ones of the summer.

Ah. They have been the most precious part of summer for me.

So many nights we have walked

through the park

or by the sea

in light that seemed to float, 

and hold us suspended there.

These walks have been a time of reflection

and observance

and inspiration

where we've said…

look at the light!

those clouds!

and,

c'mon, dog!

where the kids have talked and played and imagined non-stop

and my husband and I have walked arm in arm, or hand in hand, deep in conversation about life, the universe, and education… :)

and where 

the light 

has slid down off the mountain, rolled around for one last play,

swept us up in its arms

for a long, delicious hug,

then, 

left us there,

until tomorrow. 

I am so thankful for it.

For the floating, 

shifting, 

dancing light,

And for

the clear, clean feeling that comes

every time I let the light inside.