A Prayer for the Beginning of Summer Break

I am tempted to color-code calendars

To set goals

To micro-manage chores and play

To structure the fun and the meals

To incentivize reading and exercise

To fight constantly about iPads and

The laundry that never quite makes the basket.

Stop me.

Remind me that the learning they’ll most remember this summer

Is in my body and presence.

May they see me on the yoga mat

Dancing and lifting weights

Working with passion but not obsession

Cooking a meal with love or grabbing a bowl of cereal and calling it good

Laughing with my friends

Losing track of time because the novel is so good

Sitting outside just to hear the birds

Delighting in their father

Putting my phone away

Adopting their slang just enough to signal that I pay attention

Taking breaks and digging in

Picking up the room because it feels good, leaving it for tomorrow after a long day.

Let me show them a good life well-lived

And trust that they will take what they need from me and leave the rest