Slice of Joy

Last night Torin was here. He worked close by and drove over on his motorcycle to stay with us and be able to go to work this morning from here. For those of you who don't know, Torin is Jordan's boyfriend. He lives in Winter Park, so being here is not a daily occurrence.

Torin is a teenage boy, and Torin can eat. So...no wimpy dinners when he's here. This can be a good thing because sometimes when it's just the girls and I wimpy dinners happen, maybe more than they should. Last night it was Alaskan Wild Salmon, grilled asparagus and a great tossed salad. Bread and butter got added spontaneously at the end because, well, Torin was here, why not?

The slice of joy part for me was on a few levels. I had gone to the market while Makenna was doing karate so by the time we got home everyone was hungry. I knew that it was going to take multiple hands to make this quicker so we could all eat. I set Jordan to work on cutting carrots and apples for the salad, and Torin was given the job of culling out the good grapes from the sad, tired throwaway grapes. I did the fish with fresh lemon, lemon zest, fresh parsley, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. I did the asparagus pretty much the same way. And then cooked it all on the grill, as a thunderstorm approached. Life in FL, take heat, add thunderstorm, lather, rinse, repeat. Emphasis on the repeat.

While we were all working together, there was Pandora on the computer, so music....and talking, goofing around, teasing Jordan, Torin catching grapes in his mouth, and cooking together. My home was filled with joy, friends, love, life, laughter and it was what my heart has been craving. Really craving. Life has been challenging lately, sometimes wonderful, sometimes dark. Through it there's been a sense of finding myself, what makes my heart sing, who I am, and where I'm going, and not just getting lost in the pain.

My children, and their friends, my friends - new and old - and my own self, this is what my heart needs, this is what my home needs. In deep gratitude for a night of simple pleasure.