They say you never forget how to ride a bike, but we still want to make sure Sarah remembers the skills she has acquired. Carl took the girls on a bike ride on a beautiful path in the woods. As of now our bike rack only holds three bikes, and I love walking, so they rode and I walked. I realized that our girls might not know how to ride bikes if I was the only parent. I can ride a bike, but the process of teaching someone was best done by someone who wasn’t anxious about them falling and getting hurt. On this particular ride, Sarah did fall once but she loves saying she fell into the weeds, and she loves the bruise she got for her trouble. Amy cruised on ahead by herself and went quite far, enjoying the trail and the cows she saw in a field when she decided to turn around. I had a nice walk, but also got myself worried that Amy was so far ahead and hadn’t turned around to pass me when I thought I would have seen her, and I imagined all sorts of scenarios that were fear-filled. And then Amy came happily pedaling by, a good reminder that I got myself worried for no reason. I’m good at that. You know what they say, you never forget how to worry for no reason.
We are in Ohio for the weekend seeing several members of Carl’s family. There are 19 of us and enough food to feed thrice that number. The weather is beautiful, the pool warm, the food delicious, and the company heart-filling. Last night around the warmth of a fire pit, Carl described baby koalas to Amy and one of her cousins. They were identically beside themselves with big eyes and “awwww”s as the desperately wanted baby koalas of their own. Earlier in the day, Sarah and I took a walk through the wildflowers and she said she was “going on a leaf walk with Bank Card.” I don’t know if she was Bank Card or if I was, but it was a pretty walk either way.
Earlier in the week I was interviewed by Jennifer Szweda Jordan for We Hopeful Pilgrims, a Substack publication. She also interviewed the owner of the Fig Tree Coffeehouse, where we were for the interview, and Sarah’s main teacher from 5th-8th grade. I got all teary talking about how supportive Mrs. Begley was, especially for the school plays. The interview was recorded, and I’ll let you know when it is available.
Speaking of interviews, Carl was featured in the Pittsburgh Business Times! It’s probably hard to read his answers in this picture of the paper, but I will share my favorite. When asked about his dream car, he said it would be a really nice bike.
I’m honored to share that Watching Sarah Rise received two silver EVVY awards from the Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors (CIPA). EVVY isn’t an acronym. It is a reference to the person who started CIPA. My awards are in motivational/inspirational and in parenting & family.
Sarah was thrilled to start her jobs at school this week. She helps at a seminary and at an elementary school. I think those days are her favorite unless there is something special like a pep rally. Fridays are especially great because she goes to a job and gets to wear a spirit shirt. I got her a new spirit wear shirt because I wanted some insurance in case her one white shirt got dirty at breakfast. Without a backup the disappointment would have been epic. Now that we have two shirts we don’t have to worry (unless for no reason) and that will probably mean that neither gets dirty.
Amy enjoyed her school internship at a bakery. Last week she was just learning how things worked, but this week she made pizza and cookies! I like this internship very much. They say you never forget how to enjoy a cookie.
May you all remember how to feel joy for no reason.
Love it for a reason 😂