There are shadows lurking in the corners. Dark creatures that my children sense, but do not yet understand. They surface in their dreams... they scratch on the walls just enough to distract us from our daily rhythm. I did not invite them into my life, but here they are and it's my responsibility teach my children how to stay grounded in their midst. How to trust that goodness persists. These are skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives, but I hadn't anticipated the end of innocence so early. How do I do it? By the skin of my teeth on some days... especially when I've been up since 3 am shielding my 7 year old from nightmares. On most days, I find grace in providing deep nourishment with my heart and hands. Spreading light where it is dark. This often comes in the form of delicious food and creative expressions...
These are universal needs...
feeding our bodies and our souls
gathering goodness from the earth and within
Here's how we harvested goodness yesterday:
stitching, saucing, roasting, painting, carving... with an evening backdrop of jazz thanks to my very own
piano man talented son.
I know for certain that I am not the only one with shadows and challenges... I bet you're a powerful harvester of goodness, yourself! What simple loveliness are you gathering into your days to fill it with light? What might you harvest today?
****
Great post. I love bring light and a bit of cheer into my life through creating. I will be making handmade soap today. ;o)
ReplyDeletegoodness in a bar!
DeleteThese are lovely words, Maya. Nourishment in every form keeps the wolf (or dogs, or monsters, or, bizarrely, the postman) at bay at our place too. x
ReplyDeleteI just love you, M!
DeleteWhat a wonderful post. It actually brought tears to my eyes as we are also dealing with our own sort of darkness (in the form of moods and pessimism) around here. I love the concept of "harvesting goodness" and filling our days with light. Thank you. I feel encouraged already.
ReplyDeletep.s. We also love the Sewing School book!
Darkness comes in many forms (and moods) and you are certainly wise and powerful enough to transform it.
Deletexxx
My heart aches for you, but I know you, in your wisdom and sweet spirit, will find the ways and words to get through this time. There is much goodness ahead for you and your children. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteDianne,
DeleteI can see your loving eyes and beautiful smile whenever I read your sensitive words to me. Thank you! It's a gift to know you.
xxx
Finding ways to see and bring light into our struggles is a challenge for me. I find myself pulled into the shadows and dark places and get mired there when it feels so hard, sometimes, to harvest goodness. I have been trying to take small stands. To listen more to my heart, and to do those things which may seem insignificant in the larger picture, but which in the moment can bring me a bit of joy: a fire on a sad gray day, lighting candles at dinner, an extra story (or 3) on the couch with my sons, framing a new print that speaks to my soul and placing it where I can see it. Harvesting the strength and inspiration that others share.
ReplyDeleteAnd my heart goes out to you as you care for your daughter through her nightmares. One of my sons has been struggling with nightmares and anxiety at night and my heart just aches so deeply watching and listening to him, only being able to walk through it with him, not prevent it or make it disappear.
Thank you for sharing the ways that you have found to harvest goodness, the struggle and the light.
Since the only way to the other side is through it, I believe walking beside our children is a powerful gift. You are an amazing mama, Annie. I'm right her with you and love the idea of lighting my fire today (forecast calls for gray with a touch of sadness), knowing that somewhere out there you may be doing the same. hugs to you.
DeleteThank you for this post. Very beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThank you April.
DeleteI hadn't ever thought of it as "harvesting goodness", but that is exactly what we do around here too. Yesterday we made apple cider all day long, and the first sip of it with breakfast this morning was priceless.
ReplyDeleteAn entire day of cider... how fabulous and what hard work!
DeleteGreat idea. As the Summer was such a wash out I don't have a single apple to harvest from our orchard, so I shall harvest goodness instead. Spiders have been the cause of nightmares round these parts, but naming each one we've found has made them seem much friendlier.
ReplyDeleteNaming our fears... such a wise reminder. Thank you!
DeleteMaya, I'm sad that your family is going through these dark days. No doubt, though, you are loving them out of it with light and grace. Have you considered making a dream catcher or some other talisman as a tangible prop to help keep the shadows at bay? Maybe Pixie has some tricks up her sleeve that could help.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought. Wishing you peace.
Karen
Great idea, Karen! She sleeps with one of my lavender pillows and we use a magic sleep spray... but making a new dream catcher might be just the ticket! Thank you!
DeleteMy light today comes from a reunion I have with a dear friend, who is recovering from cancer. We´ll be having lunch, chatting and smiling. These things are the ones who keep shadows at bay.
ReplyDeleteYesterday it was baking from my family.
Have a nice weekend!
Ale- Yes! Facing the darkness head on with what is real and in front of us... smiles, lunch, friendship. Enjoy your time together!
DeleteIt is so kind and generous of you to take a moment out of what might have been a dark day and remind us all that we need to harvest our light! I've been re-reading your post over the past couple of days and finding I need to work harder today to seek that light and spread it around the house!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid I was anxious all the time - seeing those cored apples reminded me of the wonderful comfort of my mom making applesauce in the fall. Upstate NY apples are the best, and that cinnamon smell, the sight and sound of the sauce blurping on the stove, and the fun of turning the crank on the food mill all to create warm tasty love in a bowl made me feel calm, and safe, and loved. I bet all of your harvesting activities do the same for your children. I'm sending you sweet wishes for still, deep sleep-filled nights. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou are such a great Mom, you live around beautiful surroundings.
ReplyDeleteDear Maya, they come out the other side, you know. My girl has dealt with some anxiety this year because of family changes, and now she's mostly just excited about wearing her new ballet shoes and feeding the fish and having glitter nail polish, as usual. Today I will prune some hedges before curbside fall cleanup arrives, and maybe buy a chainsaw so I can harvest firewood myself, no man needed...
ReplyDeletehello,
ReplyDeletethank you for the lovely reminder to harvest goodness. what a gentle, powerful path. i wanted to tell you how much your voice and your considered sharing have added a new layer of richness to my life. go well as you travel this new part of your journey; readers like me are holding a space for you too.
So nice to see that Sewing School is part of the process. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletebeen thinking of you, Maya. lots of love from Memphis!
ReplyDelete