Yesterday was my youngest child’s 16th birthday. She would have been celebrating with her jazz band on a school trip abroad during spring break. Instead we ordered slices of cake from a local restaurant via DoorDash, sang to her, and watched a movie together. Our lovely neighbor dropped off homemade biscotti and chatted with her from across the front lawn. Two of her brothers (one in the Navy and one sheltering in place in California), her grandparents, and my sister’s family all face-timed with her. I think she felt loved.

As young parents with a tribe of kids, my husband and I had to choose early on which things were truly important to teach our children and model for our family. We decided that kindness and personal accountability were those essential things. Watching all four of my children meet this unprecedented challenge, I see them behaving with those qualities.

My daughter is gracious and appreciative. She’s resilient and adaptable. She’s kind, generous, and thoughtful. Not for a moment has she complained. Instead, she’s thinking about how we can help each other in these strange and scary times. I admire her peace, equanimity, and youthful positivity. On her birthday, I consciously focused all my mental energy on appreciating how blessed I am to be her mom. And you know what? Last night, I slept solidly through the night for the first time in a while. Happy birthday, my sweet girl.