word hunt

Words so often keep me company, whether I'm reading or writing them.  I like the idea of selecting one- my specially chosen companion- to travel with me.  It makes me want to pack a bag, full of expectations and maps, and escape into the open, ready for adventure.

sand between my toes and other delights

What delights your senses?  The smell of coffee is guaranteed to put a smile on my face.  Long before I enjoyed drinking it, the scent comforted me because I associate it with my mother's kitchen.  My daily ritual is to brew a cup first thing in the morning; my family knows better than to disturb me before I've finished! 

 I'm particular about the blend and try to buy organic, fair-trade- even on my small budget.  I prefer using a stove top method, but my cute little Italian Bialetti broke and had to be thrown out this year.  A few days later my friend surprised me with a simple cafetiere, which I've been happily using ever since.  

Each week I look forward to meeting my girlfriends for coffee. Often we meet at each other's houses, but I love going out.  I mean, who can resist feeling gorgeous with a heart in her cup?  

 

Food and drink are my biggest indulgences.  Even the sight of something delicious gives me the warm fuzzies.  If it's sweet I'm all over it! Just call me cupcake.  (And, yes, it was as good as it looks!)

We are blessed to live on the coast.  My children and I also had the good fortune to travel abroad for most of the summer.  Some of my favorite memories of this year involve feeling the sand between my toes, reading in the sun, and listening to the waves crash, while the boys played soccer on the beach. Just imagine the cool breeze at sunset, carrying the sound of laughter.  You'll find us there.

This post is part of Reverb 13.  To learn more about this storytelling project click here. 

Give us a sensory tour of 2013.  How would you describe the year's passing in terms of sight?  Sound?  Smell? Taste?  Touch?

choose love

Recently I had a dream in which I found myself suspended in the sky, balancing on a wood beam.  I was aware that others were depending on me to stay steady; if I lost control, my children would plummet to the earth alongside me.  I felt like a tightrope walker performing without a safety net, while also juggling 3 dearly loved human beings.  How had we arrived in such a precarious position?  One false move and we were finished...

community

Perhaps it was childhood memories of the choir's voice lifted in beautific song, while we- the congregation- joined in.  It could also have been the sense of safety, the way I felt protected holding hands while we recited the Our Father.  There's no way to pinpoint exactly what instilled a lifelong love of community in me, but I do think my earliest experiences at our church deeply shaped my values.  Though I am no longer religious in the traditional sense, I know that connection is what makes my life meaningful. 

challenges

Honestly, every day is a challenge.  Raising three spirited children during a recession requires resources that I often lack.  I struggle to pay my mortgage and meet the basic costs of living. Then there are the extras: sports fees, music, dance and drama lessons. I closely watch every penny. I pray there will be enough in my account to get us through another week. I have been humbled by my mother's offer to help me pay for my children's activities.  Neither of us wants to see them miss out.  I'm grateful for her generosity, but I also find it hard to accept money.

risk

I've been in a creative slump for most of the past year.  I could blame the fact that most of my energy is spent simply trying to survive.  It's also true that I've become a bit lazy and undisciplined with my writing schedule.  Fear is another factor.  The house.  The kids.  Work.  I'm tired, stressed, and out of time.

Sound familiar?  I know I'm not alone.  Many talented women I know struggle to meet the demands of motherhood while also trying to fulfil their creative lives.

absence

After my 10 year marriage ended, I didn't expect to find love again, at least not the kind that extended to my children.  Fortunately life surprised me.

A few years ago I reconnected with an old friend on one of my visits to my parents'.  When he asked me out, I wasn't sure if it was a date or if his interest was purely platonic.  I made an effort with my appearance and overdressed for the occasion.  As it turned out, ice-skating with his sons wasn't exactly conducive to romance.