Something Good Every Day: This Evening…
If I’m being honest, today’s “something good” is not a big thing or an impressive thing. It’s this evening. Just… this.
My wife built a proper fire in the living room fireplace — the kind that crackles reassuringly and makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something just by sitting near it. She’s practicing the piano, and since she’s actually excellent, it’s pleasant rather than the “learning phase” where you wonder if your homeowners’ insurance covers emotional damage.
I’m having a martini. Pizza is on the way. Late,r we’ll watch the Blackhawks game and/or the new season of a Norwegian Christmas show that dropped today, because nothing says holiday cheer like Scandinavians and existential winter lighting.
The pets are nearby, which is their way of confirming that we are still their primary source of heat and food. The kids are all out in the world, on their own, and doing well — which is the parental equivalent of checking the weather radar and seeing no storms headed your way.
This will be the last Friday night like this for a little while, but that’s a good thing. Because next week, at this time, the two kids living in Boston will be home for a month. I’ll be off work for two weeks, as will the younger one. We’ll head to central Ohio for Christmas, play family games, watch movies, and sit around doing nothing in particular — which, at this stage of life, is a wildly underrated activity.
I was lucky enough to grow up in a close family that actually enjoyed spending time together. I didn’t realize how rare that was until later. In law school, I dated a woman who had a similarly close family and a small Chicago house. I remember loving how cozy it felt — crowded, warm, loud, and safe all at once.
Tonight, I feel that in my own house. And next week, it’ll be even better, when the cozy house gets louder and messier and filled with everyone again.
I’ve made peace with a lot of things this week. Some old worries have quieted down. Some long-running mental arguments have finally adjourned without issuing an opinion. I’m doing well.
I don’t take this for granted — not for a second. I’m a lucky and blessed man. I’m also at peace* (finally living up to the blog’s title)
It’s great to be alive.
*which I 100% just jinxed.