“William,” Ellenor said, crouching down to see the eyes of her little brother, “where is Jesus?” “Um, gone?” he said, ‘gone’ being his standard response to any question having to do with location. “No!” She laughed, “he’s in your heart. Right here, see, William, in your heart!” And so saying, she patted his chest. As […]
The Writer Climbing
We hiked our favorite trail today before the sun arched high in the sky, and I remembered a hike we’d taken when Eddie was still an infant. It had felt like such a milestone then, to be out there on my own with five children. Now there are six, and somehow six seems easier than five. Today I had […]
There Is Grace
He wanted an ice cream cake for his birthday: white cake, with the ice cream strawberry. I whipped eggs for 30 minutes in an attempt to get those peaks, but only managed a firm sort of foam. He snuggled close. All seven years of boy pressed into my arm as I folded the batter between […]
Joy
This is one of those days where the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the curtains are billowing, the trees are flowering, the barren is blooming, the boys are building, the girls are spinning, the dog is napping and my husband is making pancakes (for lunch). This is one of those days where my […]
Furious Love
Furious Nothing can tear us from The grip of His mighty love We’ve only glimpsed His vast affection Heard whispers of His heart and passion It’s pouring down… His love is deep, His love is wide And it covers us His love is fierce, His love is strong It’s furious His love is sweet, His […]
Sometimes, Child, It Takes Fire
I’m ready to write about you now. You, who have moved out of me, and away. We burned the cord–the man who helped make you, and the woman who bore you–we burned it between two flames. Sometimes, child, sometimes, it takes fire to be set free.