We bought takeout and ate on the patio while Willa rolled from her back to her side on a play mat beside us.

I cheered as if she had won an Olympic medal.

Andrew laughed so hard he almost spilled his drink.

I realized that the decisions that had once terrified me were becoming a series of manageable steps.

Some took a lawyer.

Some took patience.

Some required me to change a password, make a phone call, or ask for a ride.

None required me to make myself small.