Category: Relationships & Community
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Babies of the Pandemic
My almost-six-month-old daughter can sit up independently now. She rocks her bouncy saucer so hard we sometimes think she’s going to tip it, or give her herself a head injury. She’s got two teeth and has started solid foods of vegetable purees. None of this was true before we began to shelter in place, which…
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Baby Prayers
I opened my eyes and about six inches in front of me was my little five-month-old girl, resting on her side, eyes closed, mouth slightly open as she gently breathed in and out. Both her arms were outstretched in front of her, her little hands folded onto each other. It looked like she was saying…
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Parenting in a Pandemic
Day 41 of our shelter-at-home was a rough one. Honestly, every day at home with two babies under the age of two has its hard moments. That particular day felt hard overall, moment to moment. Even in the good moments, when the kids were behaving and being adorable, a part of me was still struggling.…
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Psalm 6: Drowning in Guilt
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? 4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because…
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I Learned to Really Apologize
I’m over at The Mudroom today, writing about reaching out and making amends. I hope you’ll join me there! I sat in the parking lot of the grocery store with my cell phone in my hand. People were bustling all around, running their errands and loading their cars with brimming bags, but I couldn’t get…
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They Fit
From across the table, I caught a moment between them. He scooped a heaping forkful of food and reached over to put it on her plate. They each tasted it and decided it was indeed very good corned beef hash. After thirty-two years of marriage, it’s these little things that I think they enjoy most about…
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Come Right In, We’re Out Back
Once our first few friends arrived, I grabbed one of my chalkboard signs, scrawled the words, “Come Right In, We’re Out Back,” and set the sign on the front porch Then we all grabbed a beer or a glass of wine and went to sit under the big white tarp my husband strung up over the…
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Hope That Breaks Your Heart
I wrote this the night my dad had his stroke. He has since recovered with no permanent damage to his mind, his memory, or his body. We’re thankful and also still praying for no more strokes. This Father’s Day, I had lunch with my dad as we talked about gardening and hiking. I hope for many…
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In All the Ways We Grow
This past Thanksgiving, my family gathered at my parents’ house: my parents, my two older sisters, their husbands, and two children each, my younger sister and her boyfriend, me, my husband, and my mother-in-law. It was most of the family; eleven adults and four kids. My family isn’t particularly religious. They don’t go to church. They…
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Roll with the Changes
Last summer and into the fall, I’d been struggling with direction and purpose. I felt stagnant and stuck. I couldn’t figure out where life was headed, or shake the feeling that it was heading somewhere without me. I’d been looking for a new job for a little while, because even though my job is good, I’ve…
jamie y. watkins 