The warm summer air felt like an embrace as I walked. I watched the fireflies shine their lights; on and off, here and there. They flashed like miniature stars I could whisper wishes upon, bringing me back to childhood, when my father was still here.
Are our eyes focused on worldly things, or heavenly things? Do you allow the allure of money and status to occupy your heart, when it should be set on things above? Heavenly things.
With five children ages 8 years to 5 months, it's important to find time alone with each child. It can be difficult, but I have found going food shopping or doing other errands together is one of the best ways to get regular alone time together.
I was thinking about a man I once knew, but this story is about the girl who brought us together; and who we both loved.
How do you know when something has died? A root from the earth, and stars in her eyes.
Sometimes I feel so defeated as a mother. Are we allowed to speak this truth? Child of my own flesh and blood, yet she remains a mystery to me. I try to build strong walls to keep her from turning to the right or to the left, but I am reminded of my human frailty.
This spring weather has been unpredictable. Unseasonably warm sunshine bleeds into dark curling storm clouds, threatening tornados. Some evenings I walk outside and breathe in the smell of the wet earth, growing again after the floods. Then, I take the children for walks during the day and we save half-dried worms off the warming concrete sidewalks. I’m not sure why, but I could never leave them there to wither.
