a bit of gratitude // day 3

If I had to choose one indispensable treasure in my life, it would be books. As I write, my boys are shoulder to shoulder, immersed in a story. Luca's voice softly navigates the word "when," guided by his brother's gentle patience. I pause from writing my heart brimming with pride.

My desire is to form a meaningful relationship with my boys. Of all the things, I long to get this right. Knowing that I could get this all wrong terrifies me. That maybe I’ll look back and regret some of our choices, some of my responses.

Miles from home, our hotel room becomes a sanctuary as bedtime stories anchor us. Though tired, I read aloud from "Charlotte's Web," a ritual that soothes and connects us. Luca, not ready to end the night after I close the book pleads, “I wanna fall asleep to your reading voice mommy. One more chapter please?”

His words mirror my own yearning to prolong this moment, this connection, this nightly ritual that has become our haven.

And so, I continue reading, my voice a lullaby of words that cradles us in its rhythm. A place, I'm realizing, where I find solace for my fears and gratitude for every page turned together.