I almost forgot about the easter bunny. Well, I didn't totally forget. I just never found a basket that I liked, and then we went on a trip to Nashville, and then Fiona threw up at midnight in the hotel room, and then I forgot until about 5:30 pm. So Fiona got her new books and gardening tools just placed in the middle of the floor. And then she proceeded to use her claw/rake thingy (not sure what the real name is) to eat applesauce.
I confess that I haven't had the energy the last year and a half to be as focused on living out my spirituality as I would like. Most days, I go non-stop until I fall into bed exhausted. It is just the life of a working mom, or maybe just a mom, or maybe just life.
Unfortunately, this means that we don't always make it to church or community events, and volunteering and serious reading/journaling have gone out the window. I know one day I can get back into these things, but at times like Lent and Easter, it makes me feel as though something is missing.
I love the combination of Lent and Easter. I love the idea that life can come even in the midst of darkness, death, and despair. I love the introspection and sacrifice that lead to a joyful celebration of resurrection. I love the transition from winter to spring. I love the rituals and practices associated with ideas that remind us of our humanity: both the broken and the redeemed.
And I miss it.
But in the spirit of Lent and Easter, maybe this is good. Maybe it is good to become more aware of your own need for connection to God and others. Maybe it is good to realize that you can only do so much and that most of it is out of your control. Maybe learning to take breaks and find Life in the day to day grind is part of what this rebirth process is all about.
So, I am learning. Learning to be still, or more likely, be present in the constant movement of a toddler. Learning to put and end to the day and say I did what I could. Learning to trust that life will keep happening and I just need to pay attention as best I can.
He is risen.
(And now for creepy easter bunny pictures and the like.)
Because life is incomplete without Steel Magnolias:
Annelle: Now, you just burst through those bushes..and hop over to where the kids are, okay?
Sammy: What bushes? l can't see shit!
Annelle: Over there.
Sammy: ''Over there.''
Egg hunting, art making, music playing, and general exploring.
Well at least she's resourceful.
I confess that I haven't had the energy the last year and a half to be as focused on living out my spirituality as I would like. Most days, I go non-stop until I fall into bed exhausted. It is just the life of a working mom, or maybe just a mom, or maybe just life.
Unfortunately, this means that we don't always make it to church or community events, and volunteering and serious reading/journaling have gone out the window. I know one day I can get back into these things, but at times like Lent and Easter, it makes me feel as though something is missing.
I love the combination of Lent and Easter. I love the idea that life can come even in the midst of darkness, death, and despair. I love the introspection and sacrifice that lead to a joyful celebration of resurrection. I love the transition from winter to spring. I love the rituals and practices associated with ideas that remind us of our humanity: both the broken and the redeemed.
And I miss it.
But in the spirit of Lent and Easter, maybe this is good. Maybe it is good to become more aware of your own need for connection to God and others. Maybe it is good to realize that you can only do so much and that most of it is out of your control. Maybe learning to take breaks and find Life in the day to day grind is part of what this rebirth process is all about.
So, I am learning. Learning to be still, or more likely, be present in the constant movement of a toddler. Learning to put and end to the day and say I did what I could. Learning to trust that life will keep happening and I just need to pay attention as best I can.
He is risen.
(And now for creepy easter bunny pictures and the like.)
Because life is incomplete without Steel Magnolias:
Annelle: Now, you just burst through those bushes..and hop over to where the kids are, okay?
Sammy: What bushes? l can't see shit!
Annelle: Over there.
Sammy: ''Over there.''
Egg hunting, art making, music playing, and general exploring.
An awesome art piece created by Patrick Dougherty (http://www.stickwork.net/)
The before and after of the big kids knocking her down in the stick sculpture. (Mama bear almost came out, but thankfully that cute guy behind her came up to see if she was okay and I melted instead.)
