An August Hello

Join me in Grand Rapids this Sunday!

Aug 21, 2024

I cannot believe we are moving into the last weeks of August, a feeling I am certain many of you feel. We have a few more summer goals to cross off the list before succumbing fully to fall, and even with the return of school in less than two weeks, I aim to stay in summer mode until the fall equinox. One more month.

I have been humbled during this season of chaos by the people keeping me afloat. My husband, while in the midst of his own busy season with work, has ensured that the house stays clean and the kids cared for during my long weekends of photographing weddings, and somehow in the midst of it also managed to build us a beautiful, new front deck. Our childcare for much of this summer was more balanced than care has been since the birth of our son, which has enabled me to work more while also freeing up the time I am with our children for fun activities. We’ve had a summer of bike rides, library visits, sunset swims, and picnics, and for that I am grateful.

Before having kids, I wanted to position my work-life so that I could be home with them most of the time, and for the first three years of my son’s life, I did. But I discovered that it was a struggle to balance full-time work and full-time care, and it didn’t leave any extra space for creative expression or career growth. This summer, I have watched my business grow and felt inspired in new ways, and I know it is because of the support surrounding me.

There are days, even now, where I feel guilty for being apart from my children, but I fully believe that bringing other caregivers in offers enrichment not only to me, but my children as well. My kids are building bonds and trust with other individuals, which teaches them to look outside of just our immediate family for connection. It is so important for me to instill a sense of community in my children, and I think that accepting help with this most important thing–care for my children–is a great exercise in community building.

I joked earlier this summer that if I ever have a podcast, my introductory question for every person I interview would be “tell me your childcare situation.” I have this habit lately of asking this of every parent I encounter, especially here in northern Michigan where options are limited. We really struggled to piece together care over the last few years, and I feel like we’ve hit the jackpot this summer with an amazing teenager who has fit in perfectly with our family. It feels a little wild to me that now I am the mom employing a teen babysitter. My first and most consistent jobs during middle and high school were babysitting gigs, and I can remember those summer days like it was yesterday.

Lake Letters Reading this Sunday in Grand Rapids!

This Sunday, I am doing a reading at “Pleasant Peninsula,” an art and activism fair in Grand Rapids put on by a great organization offering environmental education through public art. I will read some poems and an essay on Sunday, August 25, at 4pm, and will talk a bit about the bridge between art and environmental action. The full line-up for the weekend looks so phenomenal; if you’re in the area, please plan to attend!