they're back!

one year and one month after he last left in-person school, james went back! it's a new school now that he's a 3rd grader, but from what i could tell he felt nothing but eager joy.

the next week, the older kids at the same school went back which means this week, ramona and her fellow 5th graders went to school again. hallelujah! i asked if she was nervous, and she told me she most definitely was not. just happy. 

there was even a dress up marquette mustang greeting kids at the front door. never seen that before....

signs of spring bring a feeling of hope, of new life, of an awakening, and the slow return to some usual activities, events, gatherings, and real life feels so appropriately time to coincide with the arrival of spring. see this little fritillaria, given to me by a friend last fall when things felt bleak? look at her now! so alive and reaching toward the fresh air and the sun, just like me! 

but maybe the most promising sign? sports are back, and my volleyball team named ourselves johann sebastien block and even though we aren't ever gonna be able to put up an actual block, i'm really proud of our name.