Small World, Full Heart

Three months ago, our backyard was just the place where Theo dug holes and I yelled at Marcus to fix the sprinkler timer. Now? It’s our entire universe.

Small World, Full Heart

I keep thinking about how much life is happening in this little fenced rectangle. Theo has discovered approximately forty-seven new bug species (his count, not mine). Sophie has claimed the shade under the oak tree as her personal library branch. Marcus takes his video calls at the kitchen table with the window open so he can supervise the chaos. And Biscuit? Well, Biscuit thinks the sprinkler was invented specifically for his entertainment.

Biscuit discovers sprinklers

Some days I miss our old normal - the freedom to go anywhere, see anyone, do anything. But then Sophie looks up from her book and actually wants to tell me about the chapter she just read, or Theo runs over with a beetle to show me, or I catch Marcus smiling at us through the kitchen window during his meetings.

Sophie’s reading spot

Our world got very small this year. But somehow it’s still full.

And yes, I made Marcus set up the sprinkler just so Biscuit could run through it. Some joys are worth the water bill.