We have a marmot in the side yard. I haven’t seen the creature, but the tunnels cannot be ignored. Latte walks a path beside them because you never know: it might surface anywhere. Keeping track of the marmot and all the quail is a serious job. It has cut into her napping.
Yesterday we had the hedgehog in the raised beds and he was the happiest guy you have ever seen. It’s just like this, isn’t it?
An umbrella on the outdoor table, the kid creating mega bubbles to be judo chopped and kicked. Mary’s shirt has paired red owls on it and they look like screws. When did her hair get so long?
I’ve been thinking about magic. About the ways we take it for granted. As though we’ll always be this young and laughing. The day perfect parts sunlight and shade and enthusiastic mammals. We’re doing chores, is all. Outdoors in sandals and every word kind, unhurried. Not languid. Not sleepy. Just magic.
“What do you think happens to us when we die?” I ask the kid.
“We become our atoms. Like everything else. That’s just Science and also you told me.”
“Is that comforting?” I say. “It comforts me, but does it comfort you?”
“Yes,” he says. “I’ll be the whole universe. I’ll be everything.”
Stardust, I think, and start laughing.
<3
What a blessing you are!