June 16, 2020

Since January, I've been writing in year two of my five-year journal - a gift from Halina a couple Christmases ago. A June weekend last year included Luke's playoff game, a silks & symphony show at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, a family trip to try indoor rock climbing, working a table for our school at the village faire in Scoville park, and attending a meeting of our mom/daughter book club.

We sometimes did that much in a weekend? A lot has changed in a year. 

And today's entry, one year ago: we bought Halina a bike and she rode it home from the shop in the rain while I drove pretty much next to her. I remember being nervous about that and coaching her thoroughly before we left. And it was only a couple blocks. 

Now she rides all over town to meet up with friends. I'm not there to supervise. There's not a lot of/no coaching before she heads out. Lately they like to bring their hammocks and string them up to trees in various parks. Each sticks to her own hammock. Distanced, of course.

I recently joined a local book share group. Today Halina and I rode bikes to pick up a couple books. It was fun to ride with her. But a little dangerous feeling, too. It made me think more about the risk she's taking sharing the road with all those cars. (And very glad she went to bike camp for a week last summer.) At the same time, it's thrilling to know she's free like that. To be expected somewhere. To get herself there. 

Halina about to head out on her bike last week