You know that John Lennon song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”? The beginning of it has been spinning on repeat in my head the last week or so: So this is ChristmasAnd what have you done?Another year overAnd a new one just begun. That’s kind of how I felt, leaving behind the season of AdventContinueContinue reading “Another Year Over”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
From Gilded to Gold
It is hard to keep up with all that is swiftly unfolding politically right now, but if you try, I can promise you a full day of doom-scrolling and despair. It all feels huge and impossible. Flinging one more opinion on abortion, climate change, gun control, religious freedom, the insurrection, LGBTQ+ rights, race relations, andContinueContinue reading “From Gilded to Gold”
Hold On Loosely
This morning as I drove the kids to school, a blade of light cut through a hole in the clouds in that divine way, you know, the way that feels like God is descending through the clouds to rest his glory on your shoulders, and you feel blessed, and particular, the center of the universe.ContinueContinue reading “Hold On Loosely”
Things Fall
Henry and I splashed up and down the creek with a dozen other wilderness explorers searching for things worthy of being found. He had a net and a bucket and competitive drive; I had flip flops, a smartphone, and creek walking experience. More than anything, Henry was on a mission to catch minnows. I servedContinueContinue reading “Things Fall”
Mornings, Revised
Just a few days ago, the mornings were ours, and with it the slow rising, the steaming cups of tea, the sky changing shades of red and orange and gold until the orb finally burst over the horizon. And then we had two middle schoolers. It’s day two of school. The dog and I areContinueContinue reading “Mornings, Revised”
Local Stories
I love the companionship that is born when reading a book set in a familiar place. I’m currently reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. It’s a novel that takes place not only in a familiar geographic region but also a nostalgic era of my life, with characters the same age as myself during thatContinueContinue reading “Local Stories”
Morning Tea
Most mornings, our alarms go off simultaneously. Sometimes I hit snooze. Sometimes he rolls over for another ten minutes. One of us gets up and fills the kettle. We have two pink chairs in the office that face the Southeastern side of our yard. These days the sun rises between two giant Norway spruce andContinueContinue reading “Morning Tea”
Flocks Fly Together
Today on the way back from a work meeting in Northwest Ohio, we drove through farmland patterned with rows of corn and fallow fields. As we drove, I watched along the road a flock of common birds lift up and land and lift again in a wave, moving together as if performing some long choreographedContinueContinue reading “Flocks Fly Together”
When Your Day Isn’t Interrupted by a Mass Shooting
This morning, you went to a church and sang about a Good, Good Father. The pastor preached about the in-between, this space we inhabit, so ordinary, working and walking, singing and sighing, navigating our way around the grieving, who have just been struck by the reality of what we keep at arm’s length or farther.ContinueContinue reading “When Your Day Isn’t Interrupted by a Mass Shooting”
Birthday Cards
Brandon took the boys to buy birthday cards for me yesterday. Lydia made me a card with a picture and quote of Dwight Schrute on it. Elvis’ card made me laugh, and Henry’s card was all warm and fuzzy about how special moms are (Henry said “I picked it because it has so many niceContinueContinue reading “Birthday Cards”
Sarah Marie Wells 