Wrangler Dani

Well, maybe not everybody. But Katie is, and she also remembered Valerie‘s love of lists, which is what comes to my mind too, when I think of listy things. I also think about Adam’s cramped hand-writing insisting on “GOOD string cheese” on the magnetic grocery list on the fridge, a request that caught our friends’ eyes and made for quite of bit of good-natured ribbing for my poor cheese-craving Hubs.  I think of the list of to-dos that always comes to mind right before bed-time, and of the longer list of to-dos that I always manage to forget when the sun is shining and more exciting activities are calling my name. I think about packing lists, and how much I love to make them, knowing that it means we’re going somewhere soon. I think of wedding registries, and how it’s the best list EVER, and how shopping is never as much fun as when you’re hoping to receive all of these lovely home-things in a new home with your love. I think of my shopping wish-lists, and budgets, and gift-cards. I think about how good things come to those who wait, about hanging on to my lists and allowing my desires to wait, instead of rushing out yesterday, the moment I want something, the way I used to. I think about how there’s a lot of lists in the world, about how people think, the best movies, or why people live longer these days.

But the best lists are those about our little lives, the list that I made for Adam about why I love him, the aforementioned list on the fridge, speaking of home-cooked meals and brown-bag lunches made with kisses in the kitchen, the lists of gifts for my dear ones, the bachelorette parties and weddings and birthdays and babies to come.  Lists keep me centered, remind me of what’s to come, give me pause, make me think.