there was water in the stream in the mountains today. children played in it, the sun set against it, and i remembered the years of play with my brother moving rocks and cold water on our feet while my parents camped nearby. there is no one like a brother. i love mine deeply, and find myself missing him today.

my body surprises me with resilience. though i've felt on the edge of sickness for weeks, and am managing more than i thought possible, i wake up feeling strong most days. i rested my voice from one rehearsal today, and made it through another with enough energy to rush up the mountain before sunset, finally reaching the two mile marker, sweating like my dad... and dreaming about my emerging summer plans.

stopped at the market for spinach and mushrooms to go with my pasta and feel content with this life that is more mine than ever before. i feel a sweet thanks for this place of rest and stabilty... and a new looking forward to years coming. i think they call this hope.