cultivating the beautiful ordinary by sharing our tales and our tables
I’ve not yet had the opportunity to go dress shopping and choose “the perfect dress” or plan a celebration of love and commitment to the wild and kind man whom I will one day call my best friend. These are hopes and longings of mine that have been threaded into the deep tapestry of my…
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One year ago, I stood in front of a full-length mirror staring back at myself as I was clothed in a vibrant orange, magenta, and gold stamp-printed Saree and blouse. My thick, long hair held a braid that started at the crown of my head and finished down the middle of my back. My wrists…
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I keep a small cylinder of colorful confetti within a hand’s reach of my desk for the moments that declare celebration. I borrowed this idea from one of my favorite authors who keeps a confetti popper in her purse for similar occasions. When I am on a Zoom call and I hear of a moment…
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When my friend and fellow ministry leader, Dave, passed away unexpectedly (and far too early), I made a vow. I have come to understand that vows can be used for protection against harm and also be good and hold a loyal oath. My vow was the latter. At Dave’s memorial, I remember hearing a handful…
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My favorite piece of jewelry is a gold necklace—a dainty chain and a small gold disc that resembles a British pound coin. The outer edge of the pendant has a tiny scalloped edge circling the round shape, which gives it a unique beauty. On one side the word Hope is engraved, and on the other,…
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“We were not meant for endings.”* The first time I heard these words I was attending a women’s workshop in Washington. I didn’t just hear these words but felt them in the pit of my soul. Endings have marked me and my story since the beginning of my life here on this earth. One of…
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When life tosses you an unexpected moment, you have a few options. Examine your possibilities, jump ship, or quickly come up with a plan and say yes without dwelling on the potential risks. I tend to live my life aligned with the last one. My good friend Alyssa and I had talked about getting away…
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When I was 17, our church hosted a photographer for family photos to update the church directory. My mom’s handwriting held our family’s date and time on the kitchen calendar. My mom told me that pictures would be taken on Thursday afternoon and that I needed to be ready to go. I made sure to…
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She is all things fierce and has a roar that protects and yells “no” to hatred, oppression, racism, and exploitation. She is bold and tenacious, and justice is woven into her core being. She is profoundly strong and holds the readiness to flip a table that is not reflective of communal flourishing. Though she and…
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I grew up with the names “it,” “thing,” and occasionally “numb nuts.” These gruesome names marked me while simultaneously dehumanizing me within my home. I was given an American name when I was adopted from my orphanage to the U.S. I heard this name used mostly outside of my home by teachers and friends. There…
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