There is a Chinese word called ‘phuoc’ and it translates into ‘good fortune’ but in Buddhist terms it also means karma collected over current or previous lifetimes and manifesting into good fortune and generally being blessed.

Tonight, I had to attend a parents only Back to School night and Geoff was home sick recovering from a leg infection. Mom picked up the kids from school, fed them a home cooked meal, bathed them, and put them to bed by the time it was 8:45 pm, which is much better than I’m ever able to do.

I listen through the door and the voices of Mom, Hazel, and Margot float out through the door seams. They are all giggling at nonsensical things while Mom tells them a bedtime story.

Mom says “fantasy” or “fancy” and is not sure of the exact meaning of the word “fantasy,” resulting in delirious laughter from all three.

Mom clears her throat. The girls giggle relentlessly and beg her to stop making them laugh.

Mom retells the story of the solar eclipse, asking Hazel whether the sun is blocking the moon or the moon is blocking the sun- the moon is blocking the sun, Hazel says. Mom continues the story and says, “Hey moon, get out of my way.” Giggles bellow out from Hazel and Margot.

A few minutes later, I hear the girls making up tea colors through the door – green tea, purple tea, blue tea – and laughter ensues like nothing in the world sounds like it could be funnier.

A few more minutes later, I hear Mom humming them to sleep. A delicate lightweight sound that lightly floats out of the doors cracks, unlike the laughter that moments earlier broke the door down. Mom is lying between them on the queen bed, knitting faint lullabies into the night air – a beautiful and effortless sound from someone who never sings in public. Soon after, the girls fall asleep.

And that is how I know I have “phuoc.” I am blessed and have good fortune beyond words that my girls can have this experience with my mom.