Today, I am starting a project that has been rolling around in my brain a bit.

I am calling it Silver Linings.

It’s just a short reflection every day about something that was good today–something that was different and only happened because we are living through this extraordinary time all together.

Today’s was a simple walk. Just a walk through what our family calls “The Loop”. My husband and I have traversed this half-mile path since we were first married. We’ve traveled it together with our first dog. Later, we ran behind two little puppies as they bounced along. We’ve seen it through winter, spring, summer and fall. It’s seen our family through the seasons of being pregnant, pushing babies in a baby jogger, watching toddlers running ahead of us, hosting teenagers who practiced golf cart driving skills, and most recently, expanding to include our boys’ significant others.

So, all in all, today’s walk could maybe be seen as not that unique. It could rightfully be viewed through the lense of “just another day”.

Except that life is significantly changed right now.

The college student who should be in his dorm condo at college–but is back home once again.

The second son, happily and gainfully employed, is now newly unemployed. He has

The two high schoolers–our daughter and our Spanish daughter–are in not in the high school hallways. They are sitting in the kitchen surrounded by books, computers and cell phones.

My husband’s schedule is oddly flexible, as is mine.

I come out from my home office and confirm that everyone is free for a few moments. It’s 11.30 in the morning. In April. On a Thursday.

We gather two leashes, and we set off for The Loop.

The dogs are thrilled.

The kids are talkative, laughing, sharing, jostling, joking. At my insistence, we take a selfie of us all, smashed together a bit at the bottom of our driveway, all bundled up, pausing for a moment in the odd combination of passing snowflakes and brisk April sun.

We’ve documented the first of the Silver Linings.