Remember earlier this year when I wrote about enjoying a slower pace of life, but I knew I would eventually get bored? Hi, it’s me, I’m bored. No, that’s not true. I’m not so much bored as I am anxious. Anxious that I should be using this downtime more wisely. That I should be working toward some larger goal. And cue the 3am spiral where I question what in the world I am doing with my life.
I was speaking with another parent at camp drop-off yesterday morning about what other camps our kids were attending this summer. For the uninitiated, kids summer logistics can be almost as exhausting as navigating the school year.
This week I decided to hand my microphone to a dear friend of mine, Bakari Waziri Yusuph. Those of you who have read The Luckiest or followed me on socials for a while will remember that I got to know Bakari during my visits to Arusha, Tanzania. In fact, some of you may have even donated to support Bakari’s initiatives and businesses through various fundraisers I’ve posted for him. Well, now you get to hear from the man himself. It is my absolute honor to introduce you to one of the hardest working, deeply caring people I’ve gotten to know in my life.
The weather is warm and the kids are finally out of school – it must be summer! We kicked off the season by visiting my brother and his family in Omaha and taking in a College World Series baseball game. After three days, I left the Midwest with my heart full to bursting and already planning our return trip the following year.
It’s been an exciting week over here at Casa de Cervantes. Yesterday, the kids finally finished their 1st and 8th grade years. For Jackson, this included an 8th grade dinner/dance as well as a moving up ceremony. Which means I am officially the parent of a high schooler. Though I can’t fully process that because when I look at him, I still see the cherub-faced kindergartner and not the handsome young teen posing with his girlfriend in our front yard.
The attached photo is from a much happier time in the Cervantes household - back when books were read, discussed, and you know, generally existed. Excuse me for a moment as I vent about the American education system, specifically the complete and total use of online materials for teaching.
Amidst the chaos of baseball playoffs, end-of-year concerts, recitals, and field trips – I have been feeling the full weight of our family calendar. Juggling chauffeuring with who needs a bagged lunch while double-checking that the right uniform is clean and the costume pieces are all still where they should be is always a lot. When I get stressed like this, I also tend to notice all the inconsiderate and/or purposefully mean things people say and do.
One of the amazing perks of not working traditional work hours is that once a week Miguel and I try to have a casual lunch date. It’s a small break in the week where we can catch up and discuss things other than the logistics and schedules. Our usual spot is a diner located a short five-minute walk from our house – easy, convenient, and you really can’t beat the food at a good New Jersey diner.
Today marks the 121st day of the year, which, a little calculator math tells me, is also about one third into the year. So, I thought it might be useful to do a little self-check-in to see where I’m at physically, emotionally, and with my goals for the year. You know, instead of waiting until December and making excuses or feeling crappy about wasted opportunities. But also, to see if my goals still serve me.
Tis the season when my non-profit involvement and fundraising gears up. For those unaccustomed with non-profit meetings and fundraisers, the bulk of them tend to occur in the spring and fall. Cue all the committee and board meetings, concerts and speeches. I am writing this from the Undiagnosed Diseases Network Symposium in Boston where I am listening to researchers, clinicians, doctors, and patients share experiences, best practices, and latest technological advancements for the undiagnosed community.
While life has definitely slowed in the Cervantes household there is one member still keeping me rather busy: Anessa. I have hesitated to write much about her recently because she is too young to grant me permission to share about her life. However, I do feel compelled to write about my emotional response to recent news and you will have to forgive any vagueness or generalities.
