My nine-year-old and a couple of his buddies were loading into our car after baseball practice. Before I had started the engine, he surprised me with what he had to tell his friends: “My mom’s going to play stupid ‘Follaton Wood’.” He neglected to tell his teammates that he has been asking for that songContinue reading “Trying to be a Farm Girl”
Tag Archives: trauma
The Kindest of Wolves
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not into thine own understanding.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 “Shut up, you stupid idiot, or else I’m going to punch you in the eye.” “Hi, Miss K. I love you.” I am secretly just a bit jealous of the spontaneous embrace that my little boy gave toContinue reading “The Kindest of Wolves”
Circles
“Yesterday, a child came out to wonder”. The voice in my head pleaded, “Don’t cry…don’t cry…don’t cry on your way to the post office.” I had been unexpectedly emotional since the early morning phone call from the postmaster letting me know that my new chickens had arrived. Chicken keeping, like most everything else, has aContinue reading “Circles”
Circus Freaks and an Animal Parade
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything. I had no idea what to do, so I did nothing. Still, the days passed, and there was another sunrise, a ball of red-orange casting a spell of yellow softness onto the white snow, but only for a short time. The hours pass withContinue reading “Circus Freaks and an Animal Parade”
Open My Eyes; Take Me To My People
It sure is cold outside. She was as sweet a baby as ever I have known, and I was so happy that she was mine. But actually, she wasn’t mine. The first time I took her to the social services office to visit with her mom, I had dressed her in my daughter’s outfit, theContinue reading “Open My Eyes; Take Me To My People”
The Butterfly Child
It’s not that I’ve lost my way; I am just not yet sure where I am going. For a time, I was sure that I knew: the activities of my future were far in the distance, many rotations of the sun from the rhythm of today. There was much between my tasks of the dayContinue reading “The Butterfly Child”
When the Gates Go Down: So Much I Wish I Could Say
I’m sorry. I understand. I mean I don’t understand, but I think I might know why. Not exactly…maybe… I watch you. I can see you clutching your secrets tightly near your heart as you melt, ever so slowly, as a candle burning to nonexistence, into your grave. I tried walking beside you, leading the way,Continue reading “When the Gates Go Down: So Much I Wish I Could Say”
Vessels
Deep inside lies the truth. The wall is made of so many things which, separately, split souls that cry out to the empty darkness, but bound together become impenetrable. I know, because I have tried to push it down, to cause it to crumble. It seems nearly sacred, guarded against all that is good andContinue reading “Vessels”
Laughing
Sometimes, I can see it getting closer, But mostly, it’s really far away. I try hard to keep it from coming back, but I can’t. It’s fierce, lively, bright, sharp, glorious, and terribly sad, all at the same time. Even from a distance, its force brings me to my knees. I try to catch it,Continue reading “Laughing”
Ode to My Child’s Teacher
You have been my child’s teacher, and I am grateful. For a span of nearly twenty-five years, children of mine have had the privilege of being taught, nurtured, cared for, and loved by so many extraordinary teachers, men and women who have helped to form these young beings into who they are. My nearly grownContinue reading “Ode to My Child’s Teacher”
