The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison
If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that Katrina Kenison's first book, Mitten Strings for God, is my all-time favorite. I re-read it at least once a year, or any time I'm struggling as a mama. It has been, for me, the single most influential resource in my mama-life. Now she has a new book out about the next chapter in her motherhood journey, The Gift of an Ordinary Day (excerpted above).
Anyway, today I came across Katrina's website and the above video, which is so bittersweet and lovely and so much of what this mama thing is all about. And, coincidentally, all last week I was wanting to start a series here in this space and wasn't quite sure how begin, so instead I was quiet. Katrina's words have helped me to find my own voice.
What I really want to talk about is awe. I came across something last week about children and awe -- and that awe really comes with awareness, something that children are so good at, and that adults so often struggle with. I've been wondering for a week if moments of grace, of extraordinary awareness, of connection with the divine, and with the divine in those around us -- in short, moments of awe -- just come over us or if we can cultivate them. Of course the answer to this is complicated -- but I think that it's both: yes, these exquisite moments do sometimes just come over us. But yes, too, we can cultivate them. And we should.
So, I'd like to spend this week here in this space thinking about awe. Sharing photos and words about my own quest for the extraordinary in the ordinary, the gifts of these quietly passing days.
Will you please join me? Here or in your own little spaces -- it's up to you. But let's spend some time together, here in the middle of winter, thinking about awe and reverence and wonder and being present with our families. I'm so looking forward to this week.
love,
Grace
PS: When I ask for advice, you all truly deliver! Thank you so much for your many suggestions. I have many new ideas for James's birthday, and I think you'll all be surprised by the final crown -- it's going to be different than any of the options I shared, but thanks to the advice and input and help from some of you, it's going to be absolutely LOVELY. Thank you again for being such an inspiring community! xoxox