First sip of coffee in the morning; going to bed knowing I can drink another cup of coffee tomorrow.
Saying, “Look at the sunset” to my son and watching him turn his head.
Popeye’s fried chicken for dinner (from a busy location, of course, with particularly crispy chicken).
Planning a trip to a new place and reading about the streets, sites and restaurants.
Seeing my husband’s wet footprints on the bathmat.
Remembering my son’s eyes when he first started to focus on mine.
Hearing the memory of great Aunt Dora’s voice shouting, “Is it really you, kid?”
Wearing a T-shirt on the first day of cool, fall weather to feel the changing air.
Stepping on a layer of ice over snow and cracking through it with my boot.
Finding a board book or CD insert that smells like 1980s cassette notes.
My son reaching his hand up and knowing I’ll there to hold it.
The phone ringing and loving the person on the other end.
Punching down pizza dough and the resulting, oily fist.
My husband responding, “Of course.”
***
Chloe Yelena Miller lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and son. She is the author of Unrest (Finishing Line Press). She blogs about intersecting roles at Woman Mother Writer (http://womanmotherwriter.blogspot.com) and writing at Chloe Yelena Miller (http://chloeyelenamiller.blogspot.com).
