We just finished a game of moon, which has been a family favorite for half a decade or more. I won. The boys now each owe me five dollars, until we play again tonight, and I lose my money back to them. Moon is a domino game that my family has been playing for generations.
Little Chirp and Brainy Bird are now in the kitchen making dinner. Brainy Bird wanted tuna steaks for his last meal cooked at home before he leaves for his first semester of college. Tuna steaks may be Brainy Bird’s favorite food at this point.
I am reclining in what Little Chirp considers to be his chair in the living room with the boys cooking in the kitchen behind me. I love the way our home is set up with the living room and kitchen being a single, unobstructed room.
Potatoe is on the couch with his head resting on the arm of the couch. He is watching me with his sleepy eyes. He will be asleep before the boys serve dinner. Trooper, who is sporting a new collar, is asleep on the couch, next to Potatoe. Trooper’s new collar has a tracking device on it. I cannot keep him cooped up inside forever. He misses Pumpkine and Storme, and he misses going outside.
Little Chirp is in charge of the tuna steaks, and big brother is looking on. They are discussing the recipe in contrast with what they think they should do. Little Chirp just turned Brainy Bird into his sous chef telling him to oil and salt and pepper the tuna steaks. Brainy Bird gave this command a half smile.
Wheel of Fortune starts in eleven minutes. We started turning the TV on each evening while we cooked to watch the news and then Wheel of Fortune many years ago. My family also watched Wheel of Fortune together when I was a child.
Dinner smells amazing!
This is an ordinary weekday evening in our little home. This is the last night of this ordinary. The idea of that makes me extremely excited for Brainy Bird and teary eyed at the same time.
This time next week, Brainy Bird will be on his own, deciding what he will have for dinner on his second night in Columbia, South Carolina. He will undoubtedly be enjoying his freedom. This time next week, Little Chirp will be at his dad’s house, hopefully getting a good night of sleep before his first day of school. This time next week, I will be alone in a hotel, half way back from the drive of dropping Brainy Bird off in Columbia.
This time next week, our lives will be completely different than they have been for nearly a decade. That is this time next week. Right now, it is family night, and I am logging out to join the boys in the kitchen for an incredible dinner, solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles, and playing games.
It is the little things in life…