The Lulls of Life
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
It's winter, and we've hit "sick" season at our house. Within the last week, all three kids have come down with the flu. Which means I've been holding a lot of barf-bowls and washing my hands religiously. It's a privilege to care for my children and their needs, so I'm not complaining. But I'll admit it's hard to stare at the same four walls, day-after-day. Minnesota temperatures have been less than friendly. And on top of feeling quarantined for both weather and health reasons, the economy has forced my employer to be stingy with shifts (in an effort to save our jobs).
Needless to say, I'm feeling the lull of winter like never before.
Thinking about "lulls"--pockets of inactivity--and how we survive (or celebrate) them, has me thinking about one of Sally's poems from our book, Walk With Me.
Sacrament of Friendship
My editor-muse teaches
Life as sacrament
Calling during lulls
In motherhood's deaths and births
A writer-friend of grace and healing
She baptizes with words
Midwife to me
Pruner of thorny bushes
She is a priest of sorts, hearing
My confessions, praying for wounds
To heal -- we minister in stories
For us and others
Her letters come, and I read them
Walking to the park -- Northside
And, again at pond's altar
Tree branches make the cross
Knowing she knows is my
Sanctuary -- we walk and
Will nudge each other through
Weddings and funerals celebrating
The simple things in life
by Sally Pelinka Miller
I've been calling my poet-friend during these "lulls in motherhood's deaths and births." And out of this painfully slow "sick-season," a new project is being birthed.
It's another writing opportunity!
The day Sally proposed the idea, I had a dream that I showed up to work, ready to waitress (I work at a dinner theater). And instead of "serving," my supervisor told me I'd be ACTING on stage. I was quickly fitted for a costume, and I kept thinking, "Wow, I actually get to do something CREATIVE!"
All of this reminds me that there's LIFE to be found in the lulls. . .if we just wait. . . and watch. . .praying for the energy to somehow TRUST, EMBRACE and CELEBRATE.
Needless to say, I'm feeling the lull of winter like never before.
Thinking about "lulls"--pockets of inactivity--and how we survive (or celebrate) them, has me thinking about one of Sally's poems from our book, Walk With Me.
Sacrament of Friendship
My editor-muse teaches
Life as sacrament
Calling during lulls
In motherhood's deaths and births
A writer-friend of grace and healing
She baptizes with words
Midwife to me
Pruner of thorny bushes
She is a priest of sorts, hearing
My confessions, praying for wounds
To heal -- we minister in stories
For us and others
Her letters come, and I read them
Walking to the park -- Northside
And, again at pond's altar
Tree branches make the cross
Knowing she knows is my
Sanctuary -- we walk and
Will nudge each other through
Weddings and funerals celebrating
The simple things in life
by Sally Pelinka Miller
I've been calling my poet-friend during these "lulls in motherhood's deaths and births." And out of this painfully slow "sick-season," a new project is being birthed.
It's another writing opportunity!
The day Sally proposed the idea, I had a dream that I showed up to work, ready to waitress (I work at a dinner theater). And instead of "serving," my supervisor told me I'd be ACTING on stage. I was quickly fitted for a costume, and I kept thinking, "Wow, I actually get to do something CREATIVE!"
All of this reminds me that there's LIFE to be found in the lulls. . .if we just wait. . . and watch. . .praying for the energy to somehow TRUST, EMBRACE and CELEBRATE.
