This morning began in limbo. Should I get up and start getting ready for work or would I need to call in sick? Last week, masks became optional and 24 hours after Wren finally decided to take her mask off, she got the stomach bug.

Monday morning, I thought she’d be good to go. Sunday had gone well and she seemed to be on the mend. So, when she woke up moping around and complaining about her stomach again, I chalked it up to her nine year old drama. As I went back upstairs to talk to Arnauld about our options, I heard her moaning from the bathroom downstairs, “I threw up!”

Well that narrowed down our options. Arnauld recently transitioned back to the office a few days a week, but he was home that day. That meant that Wren could stay home with him. I haven’t had to use any sick time for the kids in the last two years, because he’s been home…and they’ve been mostly healthy!

So this morning, a Tuesday, I straddled the line between work and sick day. “If you stay home, does that mean you can bring me to school?” Adi asked, her face full of hope. That would be a silver lining. I’ve learned how much being there at drop off or pick up means to my kids…and it’s a rare occurrence.

Wren ended up rallying, so plans shifted quickly. A quick text to my dad and he arrived right on time to grab the big girls to go back to his house before school. Rose and I, ready to begin our commute to work and preschool.

Rose attends the preschool at the high school in the district where I work. While the commute is sometimes a lot for her, I cherish these moments. For this year, I get to do all the pickups and drop offs. It adds a lot to our morning and afternoon routines, but the “one more hug” before she heads in in the morning and the way her face lights up when she notices me at the door at pickup, is worth it.

Adi did the commute with me when she was in preschool. She was very chatty and required a lot of entertainment. Rose, on the other hand is quite quiet. This morning, as we listened to the Encanto Soundtrack…again, my mind wandered to the day. I was so lost in thought that when I came back to, I forgot that Rose was even in the car. I looked up and caught here eye, as I often do on these drives together and her mouth turned into the sweetest grin.

All of this to say, in between all of the chaos and decision making, these moments matter to me.