our (could have been) favorite things

Dear Teresa,

I’m sorry you died.

(My niece, age 5)

The vehemence of a summer storm, and the ozone-scented sigh the earth gives in appreciation and relief when it passes.

The way our yard alternates between cheery green and yellow polka-dots, and fuzzy white-grey puffs, like low-lying fog, all summer long.

The pure joy of releasing a cloud of tiny fairy parachutes from each dandelion after it blooms.

Long walks on crisp fall days and hand-warming mugs of tea after.

The thrill and urgency of leaves that scatter even as you rake them up, and clarion call of geese overhead.

Perfectly touchable early spring grass, like a carpet unrolled just for bare feet to dance upon.

Finding each first flower of spring.

Perky, earthy-sweet violets to pick, munch, and brew into tea or syrup for pancakes.

Good dirt to dig, bless, and place hopeful young plants into with a prayer and all the love reserved for tiny, growing things.

The freedom of swinging as high as you can, and singing as loudly as possible, at the same time.

The easy rhythm of play, fight, make up, repeat, that sisters dance to each day.

Egg hunts and chocolate in April, flower crowns and tree blessings in May, pumpkin carving and hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream and scary stories in November, and Christmas the whole rest of the year.

Watching baby bunnies learn to hop.

Sunflowers in Summer, and the birds that feast on their seeds in Fall.

Perfectly crispy orchard apples, tart cider, and pie with caramel ice cream.

Stringing popcorn and suet balls on bushes for the birds during hard freezes.

The feather-soft sting of falling snow.

Roasted ham, homemade applesauce, and latkahs—our “heathen” yule-tide feast.

The diamond glory of a clear, winter night sky, and an ice-crusted tree in the sun.

A single sunbeam breaking through a day of clouds and cold.

The waiting, watching, watering after placing impossibly tiny seeds in pots, and the delight of tiny, emerging, harbingers of spring.

Tickle/pillow fights on the bed and after dinner dance parties in the kitchen.

Hiking our favorite trails and picnics with lemonade afterwards.

Bread fresh out of the oven, dripping with butter.

Homemade Jeni’s ice cream for birthdays, holidays, special occasions, or just for fun.

Movie nights with popcorn and cozy couch blankets.

Chilly mornings when everyone ends up in bed with me and Daddy.

Pancakes on Saturday mornings, when Daddy plays music while griddling and I make milk tea, and the leftover pancakes stay out for snacking while we play board games all afternoon.