So dark.

I peek outside the door to see if anything has been disturbed. It’s still very quiet. I start the coffee and stick the coffeecake in the oven to warm.

The sound of thick rain drops falling from the gutters. I light the candles, curl up on the sofa and begin to write.

We remark on their continued sleep. It’s after 6:30 and still no sign.

Child 1. Child 2. Finally Child 3.

It always seems like so much work for such a tiny moment. But there’s gratitude and that’s good.

I lay under the covers and she sits beside me working on her first little sewing project. We learn a running stitch and a back stitch and a whip stitch. The tiny donut is taking shape. “I’ve learned so much in one day from just working on one thing.”

Completion is the goal.

Prime rib with horseradish cream and brussel sprouts and cabbage gratin. I circle back for a yeast roll with butter.

“Because women always have got something, haven’t they, to keep them going? That men haven’t got.” - from “Passion” by Alice Munro