Little things

Lying on the still-warm driveway with Mom, Dad, and Bro looking for shooting stars.

Unpacking messy boxes and packing back up very neatly.

Organizing my bookshelf by alphabetical order.

Cleaning out my closet and finding old postcards and pictures.

A freshly rosined bow.

Comfortably cuddling with Bookish Friend and Beautiful Music Friend after not seeing them for two months.

Thinking up crazy costumes for a birthday party.

Bro affectionately calling me "booger brains" and knowing it really means "I love you"

The stash of French candy Sis brought back in her suitcase for us to share when Mom isn't looking.

Uncles who call me "ma puce".

Freshly roasted chicken.

The very flat toad in front of Very Smart Neighbor's mailbox.

New school supplies.

The excited ramblings of Childish Booksmart Friend and the triumphant laughter of Fiendishly Intelligent Friend.

Secondhand books.

Planning to pick up Girl In The Snow at the airport in three days.

Walking barefoot outside in the street.

Sitting on the back porch swatting mosquitoes and looking for shapes in the green tree leaves.

The last days of summer and the tenuous promise of visiting my mother in France this winter.