September 27, 2022

McKenzie Taylor

I woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. A few days into fall, the weather has been nothing short of ideal. A little chilly, but not enough to sting your ears just yet. Sunny, but with a light breeze to tickle the sheen of sweat on your forehead that only appears when exerting just enough energy to climb up the hill on the way home from school.

I woke up on time this morning. I had toast with my favorite jam and the milk for my coffee was just enough so that the tension held right at the rim of the cup, forcing me to balance it with extra care as not to spill a drop, allowing me to move slowly for at least one moment of the day. It tasted a little bit better than usual, and I swallowed it deeply.

I woke up to a text from my dad this morning. He said he was proud of me and that he misses me every day. It made me think about how every time I watch our favorite show, the hero always reminds me of him. A good father, a good husband, and a good man. Which made me think how touched he would be to know that I see him this way. We have always preferred our fantasy worlds to the one we inhabit together, but not today.

I walked to school deliberately this morning. The weather was perfect. My coffee was perfect. My father is not perfect, but he tries. I am wearing my favorite sweatshirt and listening to my favorite music, and I have someone who likes holding my hand and I have friends who laugh with me and even though I have an uncomfortable amount of mosquito bites - on my hands of all places! - I am happy.