But Miss Emmy...

Friday at work, today at work, and most days at work,
the children I am with try me and my spirit,
but boy do they build up my soul.


I can truly say that I love who they are,
unique sons and daughters of some amazing Maker,
and the ones that I learn from each day.


So many times throughout the day I hear,


"But Miss Emmy" with heavy sighs and eye rolls and sometimes, snaps.
"That's deep Ms. M, that's deep"
"Why ya gotta be so mean"
"Oh my gosh, you're ruining my life"
and my favorite,
"That's trifling"


(from 6-11 year olds)


But more times throughout the day I get
hugs that light up my day, little girls calling me beautiful, questions seven feet under surface, stories opened wide and bug eyes that make me melt.


And they build my faith and light that hope even when stress balls and reminders of His love are totally needed.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

-Isaiah 40:30-31

Have a lovely evening,

M

the stranger at the river

and sometimes we have to recall where we come from, 

that thick part in our veins that reminds us where we get our oxygen and reason and footsteps to 

just go.

Last night I found myself down at the river.

And happenstance found me writing a letter full of pressed tension and heart.

It was nights like last night that God and I play tug-o-war. 

Snot falling from my nose, beauty mixed into the pink sunset, and the calm of my pen.

Interrupted 

by the scent of a stranger.

"Good evening, madam" -said stranger

"Hello" - said I

and the conversation continued unexpectedly for the better part of an hour.

We talked about the meaning of life, found ourselves in the small world of old rival high schools, 

and expressed notions of seasons both changing and undone. 

Then our feet and the darkness took us to our own corners

but I'm certain of this, 

that stranger at the river might have saved a moment in my very small, but eternally beautiful life.

Thank you,

M.