There’s a documentary on Netflix called *Audrey*. It tells the life story of beloved actress Audrey Hepburn. Her rise to international fame is nothing short of dazzling. The documentary shows scenes from her films, her Oscar acceptance speech, and photograph after photograph of her on set, at home, and attending glamorous events in beautiful gowns.

What is an expectation that you could let go of?

Write a poem about grief.

I loved camping as a child. My parents took us camping regularly, sometimes with several other families, sometimes with only my grandparents. The days were structured with the perfect balance of scheduled activities and free time to do whatever I wished. We took hikes and did other activities as a group, but there was also plenty of time to get bored, wander off, look around, read a book, play a board game, take a nap, ride a bike. Camping felt so peaceful, so easy.

Today I attended a charming holiday party at my friend’s home. There was a beautiful hot chocolate bar, where I loaded up my mug with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and nutmeg. I sat with a few other guests around their dining table, where we colored pages of various Christmas symbols. I was quite dedicated to my image of a stained glass Christmas tree, and didn’t leave my chair for nearly two hours.

My favorite meal is a charcuterie board. Brie drizzled in honey, grapes and rosemary. Preserves and sliced pear, salami and cashews. Dried fruit and olives, small pickles and fresh berries. Delicate prosciutto, burrata, figs. I much prefer baked bread to crackers, a baguette being the best choice. I love the servingware that usually accompanies a board, (you guessed it) tiny spoons and spreading knives and bowls of preserves.

Firstly, seasonal treats bring me joy. Valentine’s chocolate in the shape of hearts. Cadbury eggs at Easter time snuck to me in the backseat during a rest stop. My mom’s Easter bunny cake. Watermelon and rosé in the summer. Marshmallow peeps at Halloween. Candy corn. Reese’s pumpkins. Pumpkin spice lattes. Butternut squash soup. Pumpkin bread. Beef stew with fresh bread.