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Tuesday
May192009
A Little Bit of Random, and a Question.
May 19, 2009
First of all, this man is incredible.
I mean, check out the photo. It's obvious that he's one of a kind, one of a beautiful kind.
And then I would like to say that when I moved back to San Francisco when Kid A was a toddler, every homeless person who I stopped to talk to would mention that they sure do grow up fast. "Treasure them," they all said. And I nodded blithely in my 23-year-old way.
But today I was looking for the perfect picture to illustrate just how much Solo looks like Leafy and I found THIS. (A picture of neither Solo nor Leafy.)
OH MY WORD. It's Kid A's fourth birthday, and he's looking pretty much as he's looked since he was born, but YAYA! I want to cuddle that girl in that photo, just one more time, but now she's a lanky five-year-old, and if this trend continues, at this time next year, she'll be an even lankier six-year-old.
She sounds less like a duck than she used to, too.
Oh, and I found my first white hair. I pulled it out and woke Chinua up to show him. And then I carefully carried it downstairs to show it to my sister. I would have walked down the hill with it to show Cate, but that might have been overdoing it. It was wiry.
We are all getting older.
Here's the Question. Questions. Interrogation.
Are you ready?
1. Why do you come here?
2. Is there something you'd like to read more of? What are you interested in?
3. Is there anything that I write about that you feel "hits the spot" like the perfect latte?
4. Who am I?
5. What is my purpose in life?
Okay, all but the last two are real questions. I'm intensely curious about the wherefores and whys of how this blog will continue. (I am not going anywhere, but trying to shape my writing into something of order.) I would love to get the feedback of my friends, the people who read these words that come flowing from the fingers that first learned how to touch type in the seventh grade.
I mean, check out the photo. It's obvious that he's one of a kind, one of a beautiful kind.
And then I would like to say that when I moved back to San Francisco when Kid A was a toddler, every homeless person who I stopped to talk to would mention that they sure do grow up fast. "Treasure them," they all said. And I nodded blithely in my 23-year-old way.
But today I was looking for the perfect picture to illustrate just how much Solo looks like Leafy and I found THIS. (A picture of neither Solo nor Leafy.)
OH MY WORD. It's Kid A's fourth birthday, and he's looking pretty much as he's looked since he was born, but YAYA! I want to cuddle that girl in that photo, just one more time, but now she's a lanky five-year-old, and if this trend continues, at this time next year, she'll be an even lankier six-year-old.
She sounds less like a duck than she used to, too.
Oh, and I found my first white hair. I pulled it out and woke Chinua up to show him. And then I carefully carried it downstairs to show it to my sister. I would have walked down the hill with it to show Cate, but that might have been overdoing it. It was wiry.
We are all getting older.
Here's the Question. Questions. Interrogation.
Are you ready?
1. Why do you come here?
2. Is there something you'd like to read more of? What are you interested in?
3. Is there anything that I write about that you feel "hits the spot" like the perfect latte?
4. Who am I?
5. What is my purpose in life?
Okay, all but the last two are real questions. I'm intensely curious about the wherefores and whys of how this blog will continue. (I am not going anywhere, but trying to shape my writing into something of order.) I would love to get the feedback of my friends, the people who read these words that come flowing from the fingers that first learned how to touch type in the seventh grade.
Reader Comments (50)
My computer did a hiccup thing and I don't know if this went thru the first time!
It may sound awful, but the days when you are the most down in the dumps, and actually have the energy to write about it, are the days that inspire me. I too have moments that lean toward depression and knowing there is someone else out there who can put those feelings into words and allow me to go "Aha! THAT'S IT! That's exactly how I feel!" makes the world seem like less of a lonely place. Thank you for your brutal honesty, which helps me face up to my own need to be more honest with myself... (And I also love the photos!) Yvonne
I come here because you and I seem to have such different lives, but we both serve the same God and we both have strong husbands and sweet children and we're both searching for our purpose on this earth. I love your writing and I enjoy reading about your interesting life so far away.
And your kids are cute. :)
I agree with Lar. Your life is so different than mine, but I am able to live vicariously through you doing something amazing. We both have amazing husbands, beautiful children and the Love of an Amazing God.
I enjoy your writing, hearing the anecdotes of a life so different. It also makes me appreciate knowing when I turn a faucet, water will come out. When I flip a switch, I will get lights.
I also love seeing your photos!
I just love reading about your life- it's such an adventure! I like to day dream that it might be mine -- a little creepy? Yes. But true.
I love my own life too, but right now it is kind of hard and a bit sad- (yet every day as a single working mom in the midwest is it's own adventure!)... and it's just so different! And exciting! And there's such love! I'll admit it-- for me, reading your blog is an escape. I like it all. Just keep writing.
Heidi
Amen to everything that has been said! I love your blog. It's my favorite read. I'd love to hear more about the daily day to day living of your family, you're pictures are great! Thanks so much for blogging!!
I come here to read your fantastic writing, and because I am fascinated by your life. You amaze me. Just keep doing what you're doing.
Yes, they grow so fast. True, true, and that must be why people always say it to us, and now I say it to others.
All of my white hairs, and I have many, are wiry. I think by the time they're all white my hair will stick out in every direction. Peregrine asked me one day what those silver threads in my hair were.
I come here because, well, because I love you all, and miss you, and miss India, although I'd read it and be interested even if you lived in a duplex in, say, Kansas. I like reading whatever you write about, because it's real, and because it's you. So there you have it, not very specific, but there it is.
I've been coming here daily for the past 3 years, maybe. The only similarity you and I had back then was that we both had a boy-girl-boy set (mine one or two years older than yours). Then you went and had Solo and now we're really completely different. And yet I love the way you write, your courage in choosing this life, your pictures and the way you all look. I'd love to read more about your daily life, esp. the homeschooling/working part. Also, because I've only commented once before (I think) when you were living in Goa and had a house helper, I'd like to know why you left Goa and whether you're thinking of going back. One of my best friends is from there and we keep making plans of going together and visit her extended family.
Thanks for writing and bringing joy and beauty everyday!
1. Life in a different land; why you chose this life, and what life is like there
2. Stories of your children. I particularly enjoy when you ask one of your children to define things or tell silly stories about what they say and how they respond to things.
3. Stories about you as a growing writer
4. Magnificent pictures & Videos.
HOPE
I just found you via Google Reader's recommendations. I love your blog and your writing (and all the dreads!). Looking forward to reading more. :)
~Tara
Mostly because I love to read about your adventures, and your fearlessness, or rather, your willingness to let go of the known, maybe be afraid a little bit of what lies ahead, and go ahead with the wonderful opportunities you are making in your life. I wish I could be a little bit more like you and your family. I used to think I was adventurous, but I have become staid and boring in my life. I like to live vacriously through yours.
And your kids are darling- mine are roughly the same ages.
And I wish (sometimes) that I could live somwhere exotic and exciting. And somedays I'm really glad I don't.
i love reading about your life and also your experiences with God--you have helped me see things in a way i never would have. and i also love hearing about all the travel experiences!
I do come here as an escape from my work life; I'm somewhat frustrated with my career currently, but feeling trapped in it for the next few years. I moved to a new city (Portland, OR) just before I started the job, and haven't really had time to meet new friends here. So I feel like these visits with you a couple of times a week are my chance to hear about someone else's day-to-day life, both the exciting proud parts and the struggles, knowing that though our lives are so different so many things are universal.
I love to read about your beautiful family, how you are not perfect, how you struggle in your walk of faith. I love the way you keep it real. Its nice to know that I am not the only one who is not perfect. I love reading about your adventures and your daily life that are so very different to mine. And I love seeing pictures of your beautiful family and your beautiful surroundings.
Love
Kaje x
I love, love, love your life, and although not apparently discontented with my own, I often wish that mine was more like yours. I have trouble getting my 3 to the market without blood being spilt, and you travel the world!
I love hearing about your faith and religion, as I struggle to find some of my own.
And I loved the birthday clip that the kids and Chinua did for your Dad (?).
I love reading about you and your beautiful family. You remind me that even though my life may seem busy-- you are doing so much more and are able to stop and appreciate it all. Daily I think about one post you wrote recently feeling that the Mom takes care of everyone, but who takes care of the Mom. I read that at the very right time when I was feeling the same way. A world away, you helped me feel much less alone.
Don't change a thing!
I read because you are a brave inspiring person, living a very different life from mine and I like to read about it. you're a talented writer, so I really don't care what you write about, I just like you. (By the way, the answer to #5 is "to glorify God and enjoy him forever.")
I come here because you relate to your children/motherhood similarly to the way I do. I love to read about your relationship with them--struggles and joys. You often capture in words the way I feel. The photographs are beautiful, the things you do are interesting. I like *you*, and your style of writing.
I come here because it is beautiful here. You ability to use God's grace to sanctify all the moments of your life inspire me to ask God to open my heart to His promptings.
I especially love the posts where you are struggling, and yet the yearning for holiness is strong in you. I struggle with discouragement often, and your experiences give me hope.
I started coming here a bit before Solo was born because I was getting ready to have my baby too. I like seeing your children, seeing how Solo grows and changes, along with how my own little guy grows and changes. I love seeing your strong and beautiful biracial family - I see you with your beautiful kids and think of my fair-haired mother and her gaggle of dark haired almond eyed kids. I suppose a lot of why I come here is for vicarious wonder, and several parallels. Some similar beliefs, some similar emotional struggles, a love of writing...
Hmm... why do I read your blog...
I first found you via Gretchen at Lifenut, on one of those blog-surfing evenings where one link leads to another. I keep reading your blog because I am always encouraged by the way you love Jesus through your life: your travels, your children, your art, your community - all shaped by the One you love.
Most recently, I've treasured up bits you write about your marriage, since I'm newly engaged and trying to take notes from married women around me on how to love a husband well. There are bits of sheer twitterpatedness that shine through your photos of him and his of you, and anyone with a pulse can't help but smile to see such love.
(and your kids are flippin' adorable - photos, stories, etc. always welcome!)
. Why do you come here? I come because I like your words. Happy, sad, and indifferent :)
2. Is there something you’d like to read more of? What are you interested in? Whatever you feel like you feel complelled to write. I am here to read your journey, not my idea of what you journey should be. I have been happy reading the past few years just as you are.
3. Is there anything that I write about that you feel “hits the spot” like the perfect latte? This is a bright spot in my day. So do as you like and I will feel just fine reading
I'll admit part of it is a bit of "vicarious living", since the travels with your children fascinate me. I love reading interesting travelogues, but your are fabulous, because you're LIVING in these places, rather than just visiting. Also, because I love to write, I love to read what good writers produce. Words are powerful and you have a gift, one that allows you to truly convey what is in your heart and life. And the fact that you have a Superstar Husband and four darling children doesn't hurt! :)
...because your words and word pictures are lovely, funny, heart-breaking. The way you put words together makes ANY topic interesting! Your grocery lists from a trip to the market would be fascinating- along with the accompanying photos of items purchased of course. Yes, the photos are enchanting as well...of beautiful faces, of far-away places, of everyday items so familiar, of creation and things that glorify The Creator. Oh and there's the beauty of seeing a sister who struggles and loves and thrives and weeps yet worships in all of it. That's why. :)