Things have an apocalyptic (in the world-ending sense of the word) feel to them these days. A massive explosion in Lebanon. Wildfires and rolling blackouts here at home. A derecho storm taking out swaths of the Midwest. Back-to-back hurricanes threatening the southern US. Shady governmental dealings in Belarus and Russia and China (okay, so, nothing … Continue reading "Toddler Steps and the End of the World"
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Stories from Lockdown
Eight weeks ago, when the term “social distancing” was just beginning to infiltrate our national vocabulary, when the first wave of events was being cancelled out of an “abundance of caution,” when toilet paper memes were starting to make their way around social media, the two small girls of this house decided to play one … Continue reading "Stories from Lockdown"
Read MoreHow to Use This Time Well
Confession: we have not done much that resembles “school” around here the last few days. This, despite the fact that we have nowhere to go, no place to be except home. This, despite the fact that we are used to this homeschooling gig and have not been thrust into it involuntarily like so many others. … Continue reading "How to Use This Time Well"
Read MoreI’m Not Enough
You are enough. It’s a popular statement these days, offered to young parents lost in the doldrums of self-doubt, of worry, of guilt. You are enough. Whoever you are, no matter your failings and weaknesses, whatever your personality and strengths, you are enough. Your child needs you, as you are, and no other. You are … Continue reading "I’m Not Enough"
Read MoreWe Have a Good Life
Jonathan and I sat together on the couch a few nights back, paging through the photo book I had compiled for our family for 2019. He paused to smile at a shot of Abby giving a lopsided grin to the camera, and then at Miles sacked out in my arms. When he got to his … Continue reading "We Have a Good Life"
Read MoreI'm Showing You So Much Grace Right Now
The girls had a tussle the other day, one that I could hear building in the dining room as I was making dinner in the kitchen. Katie, ever the big sister, was attempting to get Abby to go along with her game, giving commands with increasing urgency and frustration. Abby, the quintessential little sister, was … Continue reading "I'm Showing You So Much Grace Right Now"
Read MoreThis is a Season
I wrote this post last year, in March of 2019. (It was near the top of the “Your Recent Drafts” section of WordPress, which tells you how often I even attempted to blog in the past twelve months.) I’m not sure why I never published it, except that maybe I was lost in the newborn … Continue reading "This is a Season"
Read MoreAll Mama Wants is a Silent Night, Part Two
Miles, in a surprising turn of events, slept well last night. Because the sleep gods are merciless, mercurial beings, however, he was the only person in this house who did. Sleep well, that is. Sometime between 8 p.m. and midnight, both girls’ digestive systems went into full revolt and determined to empty themselves by any … Continue reading "All Mama Wants is a Silent Night, Part Two"
Read MoreHold My Baby, I'm Busy Being a Doctor
I was about to step into the shower a few days back when Abby rushed into the room, a dress-up lab coat askew across her back, a doll dangling from her hand. “Mama, can you hold my baby?” she asked. “She’s sad and she wants someone to hold her, and I’m busy being a doctor.” … Continue reading "Hold My Baby, I'm Busy Being a Doctor"
Read MoreHoping for Rain
“Can I wear my boots, Mama, just in case it rains?” I peek out the window at the clear blue sky, at the warmth of a perfect fall day. I turn to her, about to tell her that there won’t be rain today, but as I look at her upturned face, her expectant grin, her … Continue reading "Hoping for Rain"
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