I’ve never been a morning person. My heart meets the day with a measured dose of reluctance. I've struggled even more in recent months, with two tiny tyrants frequently waking me to immediate chaos.

Exiting the bedroom early the other morning, I noticed the refrigerator door was open. The little feet poking out below suggested my three-year-old had escaped her room and was on the other side of that door, the contents of the refrigerator glowing before her like Pandora's box. Before I could react, in one quick motion she slammed the fridge door, revealed herself, and an egg was tossed with glee high up into the air above. “Humpty DUMP-ty!” she exclaimed in a sadistic singsong fashion, drawing out the vowels with the same cruel cadence morning people reserve for an all-too-cheery Rise and shiiine!

The egg on the floor cracked in such a way that only some clear fluid had seeped out. I carefully transferred what could be salvaged to the pan on the stove. The old cliché came to mind: you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. But feeling sorry for myself, I pushed the scramble around lazily, in silent protest ("but I don’t even want an omelette")

That earlier moment, the egg suspended in the air and Ellery scurrying off to the other room, seemed somehow emblematic of much of life this past year. Moments happening and passing so quickly, and yet some sleepy, slow-motion stupor prevailing. Trying to convince myself catastrophe could be avoided if I could think quickly, or somehow solve this in time. Other moments and other days, spending far too much time following some trail, trying to chase down an explanation, to have someone tell me they were sorry this has happened to everyone. Even if it would only give me all the comfort of an apology from a three-year-old.


While I have no control over how my days begin, I have more appreciation these days for how they end. The kids down and a brief and most welcome serenity. A day's work done. A call from an old friend, or a supportive parent. A favorite playlist. A warm meal prepared with love. And, most definitely, a glass or two of wine. Happily, it doesn’t take much to put oneself together again sometimes.
 

OAKLAND YARD is OPEN TODAY and all weekend for CURBSIDE PICK UP from NOON-7. New arrivals to crack open every week. Our ONLINE SHOP is up and offers free curation service - and, if you want to pick your own bottles, our Online Bottle Shop (with pictures) is up as well. 


Happy Thursday,

Daniel