Oh lordy. I know I will cry today.
My sister Emily, Nathan and I were up until 1am last night writing the steps of the ritual we will perform for Bella this evening - welcoming her on her path to womanhood, surrounded my my mom, sister, Bella's sisters, and our strong women friends.
That's really enough to get the tears going, just imagining our loving circle and how lucky Bella is to receive this kind of embrace.
But then there is the sleep deprivation. The five-year old got her full eleven hours of sleep and was ready for action come 7, but not me!
Then there is summer, kissing us with her golden rays and inviting us to jump in the river. It's the kind of season that asks you to treasure and savor. To breathe it deep.
And then I heard news this morning of a childhood friend that has passed. So I'm thinking of her friends and her little boy and her mother. Stir that into the soup, into the context of this ritual and this rare week where I get to hold my special ones close and, well...
I know I will cry today.
