They really are halcyon days.

If only we knew that when we were in them.

I have been going through a ridiculous amount of old e-mails in an attempt to clear out the vast clutter that is surely clogging my computer's memory not to mention my own. I am trying not to read them all, or even glance at most of them, because there are literally thousands. But sometimes I can't help but stop. They are banal: social engagements, movie dates, the next nerts game, who's coming to Thanksgiving, newspaper articles, the Sports guy, won't Jane look cute in this outfit, is Wyatt a colicky baby, my mother-in-law's successful surgery, baby showers, baby showers, baby showers, Dreyer's Longhorn Stampede ice cream, is this the one my sister in law is going to marry, sad news, someone's frustrating divorce, the next book club meeting, cousins coming to visit with their new baby boy, friends visiting from DC, photos of babies, photos of travels, office party invitations, wedding dates, partings, birth annoucement, moving dates . . . . but they make up a life. And it's a good life.

You just have to be present for it.