medial // caesura

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest ." (Matthew 11:28). This verse has been in my face lately.  On Facebook, a lecture text, an academic orientation verse.  It's been one of my favorites since motherhood, and when I read it recently, I intoned,  "Yes!  I want, no, need, rest."  Then I got lectured.  Well, not me directly, but I heard the lecture.  And when the speaker started with that verse, my reaction again was, "Yes, Lord, that is what I need:  REST!" And then the guy elaborated. He said often when we read that verse, our focus, as mine was, is on what we receive.  And I would add, on what we are.  I am weary.  Everyone agrees that moms are tired. The ubiquitous memes about tired mothers exist because we all relate. We want time to ourselves, so we stay up late. We miss out on sleep, but can't sleep in because the bus comes at 6:40 AM or we wake up at 3:00 AM and can't go back to sleep b...

who said yesterday's post made her sad: Here's D's haircut:  one thousand gifts #36:  barbers/hairstylists who make haircuts special for D I hugged Ben as I helped him out of the van today and whispered I love you in his ear.  He responded with a kiss on my cheek and a smile, "I know.  You always love me."  one thousand gifts #36:  Ben's little arms around my neck, a kiss on the cheek, and a child who knows he's loved After playing with clay yesterday and praising the clay figures crafted by my youngest boys, Knox beamed and said, "This is the best day EVER!"  one thousand gifts #37:  joy in creating Today we planted a seedling in the front yard.  When I told the boys, how proud I was of them.  Knox tackled me with a hug.  one thousand gifts #38:  being knocked over by affection D helped me prepare for Kindermusik today and loved every minute of it.  one thousand gifts #39:  the li...

one thousand gifts 10 and 11.  Not that I like the bright orange polish with just enough pearl/glitter to make the glimmer distracting when I move my fingers over the keyboard, but grateful for it because my youngest picked it out at the grocery store this week and wanted me to wear it because his older brother "Knox really likes orange and it will make him happy."  I promised to put it on my toes because it's winter and orange nails would be our little secret, but no, he wanted everyone to be able to see them.  So I wear the uncharactistic shade so that one child can bring pleasure to another.  And Ben was right.  My nails brightened Knox' morning. Now the loose-leaf tea is another story, not only do I like it--it is like drinking contentment.  If I were to brew the perfect cup of tea, it would be this lightly aromatic, slightly caramel-colored tea.  I like that I have to create my own bag and can make it as strong or as subtle as I need it to be....