cultivating the beautiful ordinary by sharing our tales and our tables
It’s 3:30 a.m. I’m tossing a turning again, beads of sweat rolling between my shoulder blades and breasts…again. I forgot to take magnesium when I was winding down for the evening…again. I’m dreading the alarm clock going off in just a few short hours and waking up groggy to the never-ending list of tasks that…
Read More
“I am not nearly as much fun as I was a year ago.” I made this statement to a friend after she asked what I’ve observed as the biggest change in myself since I started working as a chaplain. Sitting with others in the depths of their despair, pain, loneliness, and lack of resources is…
Read More
These past few weeks have been quite eventful, filled with discussions that deeply resonated with me. It started with my book club, where we delved into topics such as the protests on college campuses, the current state of abortion rights, and the ongoing conflicts around the world. These conversations were eye-opening and thought-provoking, highlighting the…
Read More
Decades ago, I was at the home of an older woman. She said, “My husband will be 70 this year, and we’ve started thinking about how to finish well.” This stuck with me, even though, at the time, I was comfortably middle-aged. This couple was well known in Christian circles. They had authored books and…
Read More
One recent Thursday, after wrapping up my work sessions for the week, I checked my phone. A thoughtful message from a friend pierced a pain that had been simmering inside, prompting instant tears that melted me into the ground. My head had been hurting for days. I was exhausted, and I knew there were emotions…
Read More
There is a whizz and the sound of pouring water. The smell of coffee beans breaks into my morning routine, welcome and warm. I am rummaging for cream to add to my favorite mug. I am adjusting the lights while my laptop loads, my kids and husband on their way to start their day. I…
Read More
Amanda, our second born, cut the thick rye bread on a cutting board across from the sink. The remnants of the bread scattered over the counter onto the floor. I bent down to sweep up the debris, and she said, “I have always felt the weight of your perfectionism.” Annie, our firstborn, and I were…
Read More
As I sit here writing this morning, my son at preschool for a few hours, a pine-scented candle burning, and the mess of holiday break all around me, I notice the quiet and the stillness that surround me too. Our lovable and attached Goldendoodle gazes up from beneath the creamy coils around her eyes, taking…
Read More
Standing on the front deck of our bay house, I was captivated by the view of sunrise over the water once again. Pretty much every morning my husband and I have been here the dogs have woken me up earlier than I wanted for their morning potty break and breakfast. But secretly? I have loved…
Read More
My oldest daughter was not a cuddly child in her first four years of life. She wanted her space, and we learned to give it to her. At some point, however, she’s changed her mind on all things physical touch. These days, she cannot get close enough to me, her dad, or her sister. She…
Read More