The figurative Heimlich, brought on by a pool day

While these two kiddos played in the pool, I basked in the...shade. I didn't have a swimsuit and wanted to avoid a farmer tan, so under the umbrella I sat. I had a wonderful, rare, long conversation with my brother Ryan over the phone. Aren't those unexpected talks great? 

Studies have shown that speaking on the phone to someone you love significantly reduces stress. But emailing or texting doesn't. Which means that it's the voice. The familiar voice. It's like a hug from far away. A hug that performs the Heimlich maneuver on you, and all your worries and stress and sadness come flying out of your mouth in a big wet wad. 

So thanks, Ryan, for giving me a proverbial emergency squeeze. I needed it.