October is the month of my birth. Tonight,  I want to spend it outside, molesting the night. The moon begs to be appreciated. I give her what’s due as Lucy runs circles around me, full of the same stuff that’s within my animal heart. The moon will wane, I know, and one day summer will beat us down again, but that’s not this moment. As I enter my 36^th year, I am ready for what is, right now. I won’t take this time to reflect on all that has passed. I’ve had a lifetime of reflecting. I leave it for another day. For now, I refuse to look back. It is my month and I will use it to look ahead and run under the moon and love my children. To find new things to appreciate. To wonder.

A bit on the sappy side, I know. But it isn’t often that I get to feel such unfettered happiness. I plan to enjoy it while it’s here.