Ten.One Thousand, One Hundred & Ninety-Two

1. Sigh.

2. They are already gone. Bowls with dribbles of milk and soggy shredded wheat left as evidence.

3. Blue skies. Cool breeze. Something about the singing of the palm leaves as they blow in the wind.

4. Coffee outside. Catching up on the backlog of Marco Polo messages.

5. We stand against the railing and watch a boat cruise down the Mississippi. I realize that I can’t leave here without making my usual stops.

6. I should rebraid her hair.

7. I listen to him describe to her what she needs and I am looking at this you middle eastern man who clearly knows not only his product, but how to use his product. This is why they have 5-star reviews.

8. Untangle.

9. I try not to let the guilt consume me in the moment. That it’s not about being the most perfect parent. I can just try harder or try differently or figure out how to get the right support.

10. Where is my phone charger?

11. Eating these was a bad idea.