My mom's long time friend, Monika, came through town on her way to the desert and stayed for a couple of nights. We haven't seen each other in oh maybe ten years and so she has never met these two niblets. Monika has known me since I was six months old when she met my parents as they moved into her same apartment complex. We hiked the M while she was here and gasped at the Missoula fall colors below.
She is family. These kids now consider her a grandma of theirs too. Family is like nothing else. I'm so glad she came.
Other stuff these days:
::Being in charge is working. I can feel when it begins to slip and I respond differently now. There are fewer questions in my voice and more confidence. It helps to read things like this (from a conversation between Catherine of this blog and Donna Simmons.
Catherine, who is in charge here? Are you following the inclinations and desires of these little girls or are they securely held by your strong intentions, your clarity of purpose and your conviction that what you are doing is right? Let me elaborate - by being in charge, on top of things, you can then truly understand what those little girls need and not have to ask them, not have to wonder, not have to doubt and thus invite them to come in and walk all over you! This is NOT about being authoritarian - it is about being the authority, about being the loving center of those little girls' universe, forming what they do and - this is CRITICAL - thereby understanding what they truly need so that in a meaningful and not chaotic way, their needs can be met, not simply their whims. One cannot meet a child's deepest soul needs if one is trailing after them wondering what is coming next (Donna).
::Both kids have horrendous coughs which came on right after we ran out of our fermented cod liver oil. Gotta order more asap. Keep that vitamin D pumping through our sun-starved veins.
::We are thinking Halloween with costume plans changing rather more frequently than I'd like considering I hand stitched (sewing machine broke down) this Robin Hood tunic.
Regardless of what the actual night's costume turns out to be, I have experienced enough pleasure watching this green-clad boy prance around to make every little stitch worth so very much.
::Other crafting news...I tried needle felting and LOVE IT
::there are things happening in my heart, leaving me a little raw these days. I'm acutely aware of encouragement I've given others to live their truth, as I recalibrate my life to align with those things I've been ignoring. It's a way of being that requires much tenderness and care, along with a big dose of courage. May I remember to breathe and stay with what's here in front of me and I wish the same for you.
xo
You have such wonderful kids! They look so happy and healthy. They will be well-rounded persons when they grow up.
Posted by: Marty Morandi | November 25, 2011 at 01:02 PM
You have such wonderful kids! They look so happy and healthy. They will be well-rounded persons when they grow up.
Posted by: Marty Morandi | November 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Today you are a gift to me, as always.
Posted by: Hilaree | October 27, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Hi! Thanks for mentionning the conversation with Donna on your blog. It is helpful to me too! I just wrote a long post inspired by your standing strong post on my blog (http://catherine-et-les-fees.blogspot.com/2011/10/living-it.html)
Yes, tenderness and care, and courage... I am with you. Let's take a deep breath and stay present... when we can remember. This is a journey , my friend!
Posted by: Catherine Forest | October 26, 2011 at 06:54 PM
I love the Donna quote, especially the final bit of it. Thank you for sharing that. Also love to see hat-clad heads up at the M. Keep well and easeful, Kris.
Posted by: Martha | October 26, 2011 at 05:57 PM
So funny chris--all week i was going to send an e-mail that Donna sent out this week---and here you have already found her.
Sending love and blessings on this most beautiful and intense journey.
Here is an excerpt from Soul Milk--Ruth Ker
Here is a quotation from Rudolph Steiner
'Our task, therefore, is to work around children--to the degree that we control our very thoughts and feelings--so that children may become beings who imitate goodness, truth, beauty and wisdom'
Taking up this responsibility of being purveyors of 'soul milk' may seem like an onerous task but this challenge can also be a joyful journey. Not only will it provide blessed wellsprings for the childs future development, but it is also a path of development for ourselves.
Love to you Carrie-anne
'
Posted by: carrie | October 26, 2011 at 11:16 AM
love, love and more love coming to you from me in the virtual void! love and encouragement to soothe your rawness.
this journey through motherhood is so hard. i am being made and unmade in so many ways. much of it painful. but as i tentatively, sometimes reluctantly, open into the fullness of being the person i am meant to be, i am overwhelmed with moments of sheer bounty and joy this existence offers.
i offer this just to say you are not alone. so many times your words have been a balm to my heart. i hope in a small way to return the favor.
Posted by: Melissa | October 26, 2011 at 07:13 AM