I loved Sarah’s post yesterday at Momalom about the words she surrounds herself with (literally, as in post-its on her computer and written on her desk). She asked people to share the words that they carry with them. She then tweeted them all day and I loved reading the words that comfort and inspire others.
I am surrounded by words myself. I joked to Sarah that asking me to pick the ones that were dearest to me was like asking me to choose my favorite child. But it was a thought-provoking exercise indeed. I sent Sarah a picture of the 5×7 print that is propped up on my desk. I look at it every single day:
Sarah’s post made me think of two separate things. One is the physical space that we spend our time in, and how that space is designed or ornamented. What do we literally look at all day long? For me it is that print, a photograph of Grace and Whit, and a memory board stuffed with pictures of my friends’ babies. I put the baby pictures that come with birth announcements up there, and I’m several layers thick at this point. I love glancing up to see children that I know well know as infants.
Sarah’s words also made me think, though, about the words that run in our heads. The quotations that make us think, make us feel safe, remind us what it’s all about. I answered her post quickly, giving her a couple of quotes that I think of at least several times a day. And then I ruminated on it all day long. And in fact I think there are two more that are more essential to me. These are the words that I wrap around myself when I feel confused or lost. These are the words that both shake me out of complacency and help me believe everything will be okay.
I will try to give thanks for gifts strangely, painfully, beautifully wrapped. – Rebecca Wells, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
“Life gives us what we need when we need it,” she said. “Receiving what it gives us is a whole other thing.” – Pam Houston, In My Next Life
