August 6

School starts tomorrow so Isaac had a bunch of friends over today to celebrate (or perhaps mourn is a more accurate term) the last day of summer vacation. After I picked Brady up from his freshman orientation session, I did as I usually do when big groups of teenagers are in my house: I squirreled away in the bedroom.

Although they spent most of their time holed up in the living room playing Smash Brothers on the Switch (at least I think it's the Switch) and listening to music, at one juncture I sensed movement outside my door and a sudden increase in chatter. I listened as the voices made their way up to the second floor, and a few moments later, I got a text from Abby.

She, in what I'm sure was an amused tone, shared that she'd been in her room with the door closed when she heard Isaac say "it's this one over here." Her door opened, and a trio of teenage boys lugged her brand new dresser --which was delivered earlier in the day and had been sitting in the entry way-- inside, fist bumped each other, and then departed without a word (or any eye contact).

After I finished chuckling over the message, I ventured to the living room where said-boys had returned to their gaming console and were busily smashing whatever it is that's smashed while playing Smash Brothers. I told them that I appreciated them for lugging the 200-pound box upstairs. No one turned to look at me, but one guy spoke up and --with his eyes still glued to the TV screen-- said "a bunch of guys helped." 

I love that they helped out in such a practical way, even though they had no obligation to do so (and I didn't ask). I also love that none of them wanted to take credit for doing it; it shows humility, and there's far too little of that in the world these days. They're good kids and I'm glad that Isaac has each of them in his life.