The sound was subtle at first.
I initially thought Z~ had shut the door on our pet cockatiel downstairs.
But then the cockatiel chimed in and I knew.
It was still dark outside, but I flung open the window to hear...
the first sign of spring
a lone bird chirping in our backyard tree.
Welcome. Welcome!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
a valentine (thanks carrot)
a carefully selected poem--yes, I do understand worm girl, dear Geo--in a hand-written note delivered via the not-yet-extinct U.S. Mail
running my fingers across hours-into-days worth of hand applique--perfect circles, slender stems, and painstakingly detailed pieces--while visiting my friends Donna and Fred
the way my 17-year-old son pleads-slash-demands I find "his" (not really--he-or-she-we-really-don't-know-which belongs to the next door neighbors) cat this morning as I drop him off for early morning seminary and how I appreciate people who surprise you by the things they deeply care about
finally connecting with a dear friend, realizing we have been needlessly struggling with our respective burdens alone when we could have been leaning on each other
the warmth of the sun on my face
contemplating this line from a movie: "Because I know who I am" and hoping that truth in my own life will give me the strength to bear hard and painful things
a carefully selected poem--yes, I do understand worm girl, dear Geo--in a hand-written note delivered via the not-yet-extinct U.S. Mail
running my fingers across hours-into-days worth of hand applique--perfect circles, slender stems, and painstakingly detailed pieces--while visiting my friends Donna and Fred
the way my 17-year-old son pleads-slash-demands I find "his" (not really--he-or-she-we-really-don't-know-which belongs to the next door neighbors) cat this morning as I drop him off for early morning seminary and how I appreciate people who surprise you by the things they deeply care about
finally connecting with a dear friend, realizing we have been needlessly struggling with our respective burdens alone when we could have been leaning on each other
the warmth of the sun on my face
contemplating this line from a movie: "Because I know who I am" and hoping that truth in my own life will give me the strength to bear hard and painful things
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
snow
a broken pipe
prayer
(not necessarily in that order)
a good job where I get to do interesting work with people I love (let's pray my company can hold on during these hard times)
Regan who brought in soup and pudding and two loaves of homemade bread last night and wants to bring dinner in again sometime while I am gone
Paulette who brought dinner over even though she knew Regan was already bringing it because it was Paulette's only day off and she wanted to do something (I especially love how she brought a bottle of her own homemade grape juice and bottle of 100% pomegranate juice and told Shane to mix it together and drink it so he would heal faster)
Leah who brought over Baskin Robbins ice cream (which I'm sure has healing properties as well
(This all occurred last night and over a week past when we thanked the Relief Society kindly but told them they didn't need to schedule any meals past the first couple of nights after Shane was released from the hospital, but especially since I've gone back to work and have been working afternoons instead of mornings so Shane isn't home alone the meals have been such a blessing.)
a broken pipe
prayer
(not necessarily in that order)
a good job where I get to do interesting work with people I love (let's pray my company can hold on during these hard times)
Regan who brought in soup and pudding and two loaves of homemade bread last night and wants to bring dinner in again sometime while I am gone
Paulette who brought dinner over even though she knew Regan was already bringing it because it was Paulette's only day off and she wanted to do something (I especially love how she brought a bottle of her own homemade grape juice and bottle of 100% pomegranate juice and told Shane to mix it together and drink it so he would heal faster)
Leah who brought over Baskin Robbins ice cream (which I'm sure has healing properties as well
(This all occurred last night and over a week past when we thanked the Relief Society kindly but told them they didn't need to schedule any meals past the first couple of nights after Shane was released from the hospital, but especially since I've gone back to work and have been working afternoons instead of mornings so Shane isn't home alone the meals have been such a blessing.)
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Eighteen years ago I was a struggling SAHM married to a struggling school teacher and we had just moved into this neighborhood when a new friend asked me if I was interested in babysitting her daughter.
I said no.
Then something inside my heart said, "Say yes."
So I went back to my new friend and did what I was told.
The late 20s me is not the best mom to little kids. She was mostly good, had moments of greatness, but was also a little stressed.
But she loved this little girl and enjoyed having her be part of her family by day.
Today that same little girl, now almost 19, showed up at my door to give me a big hug and see how I was doing. I was just getting ready to repack Shane's wound for the first time, so I asked her if she could come back in about 15--which she willing did--and we visited. I showed her the latest pictures of Luke. She wanted to go for a drive so I asked her to take me on an errand and then we drove up Provo Canyon.
Provo Canyon was grey and rainy and ruggedly lovely.
The ride and our visit and her hugs were just what I needed.
I said no.
Then something inside my heart said, "Say yes."
So I went back to my new friend and did what I was told.
The late 20s me is not the best mom to little kids. She was mostly good, had moments of greatness, but was also a little stressed.
But she loved this little girl and enjoyed having her be part of her family by day.
Today that same little girl, now almost 19, showed up at my door to give me a big hug and see how I was doing. I was just getting ready to repack Shane's wound for the first time, so I asked her if she could come back in about 15--which she willing did--and we visited. I showed her the latest pictures of Luke. She wanted to go for a drive so I asked her to take me on an errand and then we drove up Provo Canyon.
Provo Canyon was grey and rainy and ruggedly lovely.
The ride and our visit and her hugs were just what I needed.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
It's been awhile.
I love the subtle pinks, soft blues and the tiny hint of purple in the morning sky today.
I love how roommates and a former mission companion from almost 30 years ago suddenly rally around my husband and it feels like the distant past was just yesterday.
I love how a blogger I only met once brought my family a wonderful dinner last night that was so good it actually enticed my husband to eat.
I love being able to be honest and true, even if it makes some people squirm.
I understand and accept why some people need to distance themselves from me, us--from the pain of our situation--but I am always touched by the people--often those I least expect--who show up for us no matter what.
I appreciate being able to feel some peace again today.
I love the subtle pinks, soft blues and the tiny hint of purple in the morning sky today.
I love how roommates and a former mission companion from almost 30 years ago suddenly rally around my husband and it feels like the distant past was just yesterday.
I love how a blogger I only met once brought my family a wonderful dinner last night that was so good it actually enticed my husband to eat.
I love being able to be honest and true, even if it makes some people squirm.
I understand and accept why some people need to distance themselves from me, us--from the pain of our situation--but I am always touched by the people--often those I least expect--who show up for us no matter what.
I appreciate being able to feel some peace again today.
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