Smiles

 Yesterday I hosted a sushi dinner for my daughter and three of her friends. It felt stressful ahead of the event. Will the house be clean in time, can I shop and get the rice ready? Really just anxiety for no good reason. 

It's uncomfortable in my body but I am doing it for her. For connection. I want our dining table to hold memories for us and our kids. 

The anxiety came down to size. There was plenty of time. I even read on the couch. The girls came over. 

Four sweet sixth grade girls full of sass and innocence. They ran into the backyard straight for the zipline.

There was laughter and shrieks. 

This is all I want. 

They talked about a new book in a series they are all reading. 

They giggled and laughed some more. 

I had the fixings spread across our island and one after the other they made rolls stuffed with veggies, smoked salmon, imitation crab, and avocado. 

They played a word game at the table and drank too much strawberry lemonade.

Later, it was a movie and bowls of popcorn that I felt for them on our sheet covered couch. 

Screw anxiety. 

Work well done. In my bones, this is all I want.