What Matters Today

Monday morning.

Coffee is doing what it can.

Friday ended clean.

Kids wrapped early, house reset, yard handled, everything ready for the weekend.

And for the first time in a bit, I got back to something I’ve missed.

Games with friends.

Stayed up later than I should have.

Worth it.

Saturday started early.

Before the alarms.

Tired, but moving.

I got the boys up and we went out.

Donuts first.

Then we picked up what we needed to fill the food pantry in town.

Stopping by church for supplies.

Not just a drop-off, but making sure it was stocked and ready for the week.

Or at least the day.

That part matters.

Coffee. Smoothies. Back home.

The rest of the day was the usual balancing act.

Keeping the house in order while keeping the kids engaged.

Trying to make both feel like they’re working.

My brother-in-law flew in just after 5.

Working toward his commercial pilot’s license, logging hours where he can.

Small airport to small airport.

Quick stop.

We gave him the full tour.

Property. Lake. Town. Ballfield.

Dinner.

Back home.

Before we knew it, it was pushing 9.

Everyone was done. Everyone headed to bed.

Or at least… I thought they did.

Somewhere along the way, David made the decision to stay up, quiet, on his Chromebook. No noise, no disruption, just enough to go unnoticed.

I didn’t catch it.

That one was on me.

Sunday came early.

My wife left for choir, and the kids and I loaded up to take my brother-in-law back to the airport. Coffee in hand, moving a little slower than we should have been.

David didn’t say much.

He didn’t have to.

He was out before we even left the driveway.

We could’ve just dropped my brother-in-law off and headed back.

Quick stop. Easy.

Would make it with all the kids just in time for church.

But there was time.

He had preflight checks to run.

Fuel to get.

A process to work through.

One that I vaguely remember.

So instead of rushing, we stayed.

I grabbed breakfast with the kids and we came back.

Rolled onto the tarmac.

Parked.

Windows down.

And we watched.

Quiet.

Focused.

Then the engine came alive.

Taxi.

Pause.

And lift.

The kind of moment you don’t plan.

But you don’t forget.

We missed church.

But we didn’t miss something that mattered.

The rest of Sunday was recovery.

David slowly coming back to life.

We watched The Sandlot.

Everyone went to bed on time.

I didn’t.

Again.

And then…

4:30 this morning.

Laughter.

Jacob and Asher.

Wide awake.

First warning.

Five minutes.

More laughter.

That was it.

Feet on the floor.

Day started.

And this is where it shifted.

Instead of dragging into the day…

They stepped into it.

Front of the house cleaned.

Rooms done.

My office handled.

Even got a workout in.

Not perfect.

But intentional.

Today will be long.

Work.

School.

Errands.

Then the field.

Team pictures.

A Parks and Rec meeting.

Jacob’s game.

7 PM start.

We may split cars.

Let the tired ones rest.

I’ll be there either way.

The rest of the week?

Unknown.

Boss is out.

Things in motion.

Things unresolved.

Things I don’t even know about yet.

School starts for real this week.

The laughter of my calendar being heard all last week in my mind.

Reading already underway.

Papers coming.

New diet.

Workouts.

Change on top of change.

Not everything deserves your energy. That’s the part that gets lost when everything feels urgent. The schedule fills up, the noise gets louder, and it all starts to feel equally important. It’s not. Some things matter more. Showing up for your people. Doing the work in front of you. Letting the rest wait. You don’t have to carry everything. Just what’s yours.

This is a grounded moment where the work is full, but the focus is clear.

Much love. Stay safe. Wash your damn hands. I’ll see you Wednesday.