113 | The Burrow
wearing white after labour day
“We live in a burrow, Mom. Welcome to The Burrow!” - Aliyah, age 6
What I’m up to
I’m thinking that “The Burrow” is a perfect, cozy name for our home this time of year. And I’m delighted that our 6 year old suggested this name and that she also feels the safety and loveliness of our warm home. I’m also fully aware that it’s a name that likely came from Peppa Pig.
I’m currently sitting downtown at one of my favourite coffee shops, Phil and Sebastian - located in that Simmons building pictured above. Last night, Trent and I got to spend the night in a hotel that he’s partnered with for students coming to Calgary to take classes from him. The hotel has been so kind and offer us a discount to stay as well! When I got to our room, there was a notebook left for me on the desk with a note from the Business Manager saying she knows I’m a writer (Trent told her) and she hopes I feel inspired during my stay so she gifted me an unlined notebook!
I’m feeling inspired and I’m also feeling my nervous system truly rest. Our kids are with family, and we ordered food delivered to our room and watched The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives until we fell asleep.
What I’m dreaming
Lately my dreams have been like chapters of a book that my subconscious is writing while I sleep. It’s been fascinating to wake up and either write or transcribe whatever I can remember and ask ChatGPT to give me an interpretation and reflection questions. For me, the results have given me insights and more understanding into what my mind and heart and body are processing. It reminds me of how when I was pregnant, I knew my body was weaving together a new life whether I was consciously of the process or not. I didn’t have to think, “Now, let’s split the cells to create an arm.” The creation was happening without that! And somehow, my dreams are reminding me that change is happening within me whether I’m willing it to or not.
Last night’s dream (in a cozy hotel bed overlooking the frozen river running through the city) had imagery of me trying to take a shower while on a train - there were showers there, but they were inconvenient and the shower rooms had no doors. I waited until the train came to a stop and most people got off. Then I started to prepare for my shower. And gosh, the idea that this is what motherhood feels like resonates so much to me. I’m trying to take care of myself - I’m trying to get a little alone time to do a very simple task, and yet it feels hard. I lock my door and the kids pound it and yell for me. I prepare for a shower, and they come in the bathroom. But I’m not neglecting these needs - I’m still patiently waiting for a way to meet it in a way that feels comfortable to me. The kids to visit family for the night - I breathe deeply and get some meaningful rest. I fill my cup again. And my subconscious notices.
What I’m wearing
White after Labour Day and it actually feels pretty Christmasy ; )
The stories I’m telling
My sister-in-law and I have started incorporating simple Bible stories into our Cousin Tea Time and it’s bringing me so much joy. This morning I shared what that will look like for the Christmas story, which I’ll share with them in a couple of weeks. While I work on these stories with ChatGPT, I’ve asked it to consider historically accurate accounts of familiar stories - not just what Western Christianity has retold and retold. The Christmas one is significantly different, as I learned by reading Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes years ago. The Western Christmas story holds themes of: individualism, persecution narratives, and a theology shaped by later cultural anxieties. But when you look at the Christmas story in a Middle Eastern context, you get themes of: hospitality as a core value, a baby being born into a family system, lack of abandonment. And when I think about it, that’s a Gospel story right there. And one that I want to share with my kids.
This simple way of telling Bible stories has also worked its way into my dream world - with imagery of church renovations happening and a group of adults welcoming me and my family into the church sanctuary in a new, meaningful way.
What’s bringing me joy
These dreams, these stories, the cozy clothes, a time to step away from the daily needs of motherhood, the Christmas lights, the soft falling snow that looks like glitter in the air at all times. A warm cup of coffee, a book to read, a new notebook for journaling, the excitement of Christmas morning building for my 2 year old as he starts to slowly understand the concept of a wrapped present and what that means for him. The delight of people-watching as well all try our best to stay warm and safe in below zero temperatures. Soft candle-light filling a room.
What I’m Googling
christmas at the nation hours
is it safe to do a car wash at -17
freakier friday interview
Until next time,
cer