I look for the lightness

Holding space for the horror and wonder of it all.

Hi, readers. Today's newsletter offering is outside of my norm. Last week, while devastating and horrifying for so many of us, was a momentous and special one for my family. It sometimes felt challenging to appreciate all the wonderful things while also holding space for all the horrible things happening across the world. I wasn’t sure how to find the words to describe that — something I think we all can relate to right now. So I tried something different.

The world
feels heavy
Isn’t that always the case? 

(Perhaps.)

In the heaviest times
I look for the lightness

I look for the smiles
                       the laughter
                              the sweet, silly moments

Tuesday was a baby born
Sweet Magnolia, here at last

Wednesday was three friends in a living room
dreaming the things they’d do with a lottery jackpot

Thursday was a meeting — 
instead of being canceled
a chance to know each other better

Friday was time at the pumpkin patch
Two energetic toddlers and two tired mamas
all happy to be together

Saturday was the partial eclipse
Crescent-moon shadows on the wall
a reminder of wonder abound

Sunday was birthday number three —
a trip to the zoo!
Train ride through a dark tunnel, kids screaming

Happy screams
             the best kind of screams
                    the luckiest kinds of screams

If only we could all be so lucky.

---

p.s. Even with the brightest lights, things are incredibly heavy right now. If you’re feeling scared, angry, alone or heartbroken, I’m sending you love. I hope you treat yourself and others with kindness and patience this week. The world needs more of that.

xoxo
KHG