God, do you see me? Am I doing enough to reflect your grace and your glory?
Bold, bright and brave: a birthday tribute
No one told me that younger siblings tend to age faster than their older siblings, and the ache to keep you little is one I’ve felt acutely in your third year.
Celebrating his story
Time slowed to a drip — though it must have been a minute — before Jack’s lungs were cleared and he found his voice, leaving me wordless.
Chapter 39
There are years that test us, and years that embrace us. I’m grateful that my 39th year has been the latter.
A prayer for presence this Advent
Advent is a time for telling ancient tales / and collecting wishes. For feasting / and giving. Warm laughter and hugs.
What I love about Halloween
We open our doors,
greet our neighbors’ children,
offer them Twizzlers and Twix,
Snickers and Sour Patch Kids,
pretzels, popcorn, fruit snacks and more.
The view from here
A month has passed since my family moved into our dream home in the western suburbs. Our kitchen and rooms are set up. Artwork needs to be hung; some furniture will have to be purchased. Jay and I are still unpacking and searching for our Halloween decorations.
Reaching for goodness
You write because once, an author wrote something that touched the deepest part of you, and you finally felt known and less messy and truly worthy and you want to try and do the same thing for someone else. You fold your memories and reflections with care and fashion them into an origami crane. You place the crane into a reader’s hands and say, “Here. I made this for you, I hope it makes you feel less alone. I hope it makes you feel something.”
Wishes
I wish that I was braver
And I wish I could give voice
to every injustice
that I witness and have experienced
as a mother
as a woman
as a girl
How our flock is surviving summer
Like our gosling friends, we’ve fallen into a summer rhythm with increased independence. Here are a few things that are helping us survive these long, hot weeks of change and growth.
Erin Strybis 