My husband and I got married on the 4th July 2009, and my goodness, what a lot has happened in our lives – and in the world – since then. Our wedding day was hot and sunny. We were young and full of life and naivety. I spent the morning causing my mum untold stress…
Tag: life
Back to the Blog (Small Things)
I got a rejection email on my book. I was expecting it, but was still disappointed. For a moment, it made me feel like giving up on writing. But I have learned a few things over recent years. The first is that I couldn’t stop writing, even if I wanted to; it is a part…
Octopuses, assassins and other small things
Usually, my small things lists have a sweetness about them. They contain lovely things like daisies and children’s classics and cups of tea. One might compare these posts with a gentle stroll through a country garden. This week, we are going a little rogue and our ride through my small things might be a bit…
Small Things
In my Small Things posts, I write about the things bringing me joy and hope. It is sometimes important to note, though, that the good things don’t always diminish the sad and the bad, as I wrote on Substack, here. Life is full of both joy and pain. In fact, this week, before I find…
Easter
I have a headache from too much scrolling, content consumption and content creation, yet I find myself back here on my blog. This little space on the internet is my gentle space. More often than not, I bring myself here to share simple joys and encouragements. I rest here, and I record things that feel…
Small Things: Thank God for celandines…
… and forget-me-nots, and dandelions, and wood anemone, and bluebells… The small things are my miracles, really. I have written it before, and will, no doubt, write it again: it is the small things that give me faith and hope when everything seems a bit bleak. They are my mustard seeds, which help me to…
Life Lately
We have had some late nights, long days and big emotions in our family this week. Honestly, I’m exhausted. As always, though, there are joys and profundities woven among the difficulties. I have been sharing lent updates (and other bits and pieces) on my Substack, here. I am finding our lent activities quietly hopeful and…
Small Things
Writing, for me, has always been a way of honing in on the beautiful, the hopeful and the wonderful. I like to write to notice and name. I often write ‘in praise of…’ things. I do write to express and process pain, questions, sadness and anger, and this, too can be very helpful, to myself,…
Small Things
I believe it was Tolkien who wrote, “It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life“, and that is what I endeavour to do in my Small Things posts. Today’s post is particularly simple, as I return to the blog’s roots and share a straightforward gratitude list. As I write, there is illness and…
When it is time to finish
He had been so happy playing with the ball, watching it bounce again and again, out in the Autumn sunshine. When the adult told him it was time to come inside, time for Circle Time, he found it hard to register her words fully. The ball was still there, big and bright and bouncy. He…
The Hill
I sat on the monument and leaned back. I felt the wind lifting my hair and cooling my face. There are few places where the birdsong is so bright and clear, and I listened. I watched the birds swooping and soaring over the fields. Autumn colours spread out before me. I looked out, across the…
September
Much like life, writing sometimes comes easily. At other times, both take a little more concentration. Putting together this post has been an example of the latter, and things have felt stilted. But reaching for the right words has always been important to me. Sitting down to scribble or type is how I feel my…
Life Lived 