And indeed, if we were having coffee, I would decline the cup of joe and go for something cool, crisp and white. The humidity is dense in SC tonight and even for this devoted coffee-drinker, the hot drink (and only acceptable way for me to drink coffee) is a no-go tonight.

If we were having coffee, I would say I can’t believe the summer (break) ends tomorrow. That I have a first-grader. That I survived with three boys at home and only occasional help.

That I lost the woman I considered my rock, my confidante and friend, who has been a gracious, kind and loving mother to me and grandmother to my children, and who was a devoted partner and soulmate to my dad.

If we were having coffee, I would say my dad turns 71 tomorrow. That I’m not sure what to say, other than happy birthday. What do you say one someone’s birthday when they are reeling from a devastating loss?

If we were having coffee, I would say a friend remarked to me not long ago: “Wow! This year has really sucked for you!” That I was taken aback by the comment.

Has it been a tough year? Absolutely. Tougher than most? Yes, but that’s life, right?

If we were having coffee, I would say I think this year has (overall) been pretty good. That I started a new business and it’s going well. That I had an emergency c-section for a prolapsed cord and my son’s heart rate was in the 80s prior to delivery. He was born with a 1-minute APGAR of 4 (out of 10…not the worst, but not good). Today he is a sweet, cuddly, 18-pound 5 month-old who blesses our lives every day. Thanks to the many little things that happened in the 16 hours before he was born, we were in the right place, at the right time, with my OB of 20 years taking care of us. That I achieved my goal of running in the Dayton Muddler and my time was less than 3 minutes off last year. And that it ain’t over yet.

If we were having coffee, I would say: I’m back. I’ve been haphazardly posting through the summer, but that routine is on the horizon. That, and the dawn of a new day.

See you soon. Happy trails 🙂