Kate Baggott's Blog: Cornfields of the Sea - Posts Tagged "having-children"
Unsubstantiated Happiness
A few days ago I had a feeling something wonderful was about to happen.
I drew another breath.
It was wonderful.
My lungs are working, my heart is beating, my children are safe and near, we have a home in my mother's house that is warm and loving.
There was a time in my tradition when we called these moments of gratitude and wonder a state of grace. I'm too clumsy to take that title. Instead I will call it a moment of unsubstantiated happiness.
This year, there have been several times when I have looked around me and realized that there is nothing better than being who I am, where I am, doing exactly what I am doing surrounded by the people I am with.
There is plenty of reason for worry and concern. Mostly, I work hard and well but I don't have any income, client or job security. I make sure my children do their homework and make up for the year of school they missed in the change from one system to another. Still, I cannot be sure they are learning enough for whatever challenges that are to come. I have little conflicts with my mother that support the old adage that two women should never share a kitchen. These things, while troublesome, are not real troubles.
This year, I spent a lot of time thinking about my grandparents and their experiences growing up during The Great Depression. Clearly, there are similarities between what they lived through then and what life is like for many, many people now.
My family is lucky. Our biggest immediate problem is that we can't buy a new laptop for Christmas. And, while it might be the son's wish, sometimes it's best to hear these words: "First world problem, kid. Suck it up."
I think the children (my friend Frances insists that only goats have kids, so I am writing this line with her in mind)got the idea when we made our donation of dollar store toys to Community Care with hopes that our small gift might bring someone else a little joy.
We wished it together, drew another breath and it is still wonderful.
May you have your own moments of unsubstantiated happiness. They're wonderful. Merry Christmas.
I drew another breath.
It was wonderful.
My lungs are working, my heart is beating, my children are safe and near, we have a home in my mother's house that is warm and loving.
There was a time in my tradition when we called these moments of gratitude and wonder a state of grace. I'm too clumsy to take that title. Instead I will call it a moment of unsubstantiated happiness.
This year, there have been several times when I have looked around me and realized that there is nothing better than being who I am, where I am, doing exactly what I am doing surrounded by the people I am with.
There is plenty of reason for worry and concern. Mostly, I work hard and well but I don't have any income, client or job security. I make sure my children do their homework and make up for the year of school they missed in the change from one system to another. Still, I cannot be sure they are learning enough for whatever challenges that are to come. I have little conflicts with my mother that support the old adage that two women should never share a kitchen. These things, while troublesome, are not real troubles.
This year, I spent a lot of time thinking about my grandparents and their experiences growing up during The Great Depression. Clearly, there are similarities between what they lived through then and what life is like for many, many people now.
My family is lucky. Our biggest immediate problem is that we can't buy a new laptop for Christmas. And, while it might be the son's wish, sometimes it's best to hear these words: "First world problem, kid. Suck it up."
I think the children (my friend Frances insists that only goats have kids, so I am writing this line with her in mind)got the idea when we made our donation of dollar store toys to Community Care with hopes that our small gift might bring someone else a little joy.
We wished it together, drew another breath and it is still wonderful.
May you have your own moments of unsubstantiated happiness. They're wonderful. Merry Christmas.
Cornfields of the Sea
When I was in high school, I was lucky enough to be part of a writing workshop with author Barbara Greenwood. Every member of the workshop was to write a short story for a group anthology. I thought w
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