Friday, September 09, 2005

A Nice Day

Emma and I have had a grand day. The heat is just a bit less intense, and although the allergies have kicked in, the breathable air makes it all ok.
Had all my errands done early this morning, and had time to pop into Atlanta Bread Co. for a coffee. Emma and I split a cinnamon crunch bagel and a chocolate muffin. We sat in the "high" tables, and Emma said "Mama, doesn't this pwace wook dust beeyootiful fwom up heew?" I couldn't tell, I was too busy looking at her. Some days her eyes are just huge pools of delight. (I'm sure I stole that from George MacDonald, or Christopher Marlowe, or someone of that ilk. But they were.)
She is here kissing me and asking for a snack.

Photo taken in our kitchen mirror. (yes, I said KITCHEN mirror. I did the graffiti, because I get sick of looking at myself doing dishes.)

3 comments:

Virginia said...

I love seeing your daughter's comments about life... such innocence. :)

Goody said...

Her eyes are like blue jewels. Part of the Lord's likeness! Her skin is like velvet and she smells like a rose! Bo is certainly taken with her.
It was such a treat to be with Bo at lunch today. He seemed as delighted as we were and that was extra nice. Grandparenting is a wonderous experience!

Anonymous said...

Sarah,

I found your site after reading your Blog about taking care of the criminal at the hospital... Following the Blog Trail from Ali Edward's, my daughter.

As I have been preparing to attend one of Ali's CKU Album classes, I have been taking photo's of everyday life. Doing the dishes is one of those everyday life chores. Today I happened to notice that I use JOY dishwashing detergent. I attempted to get a picture of that bottle of JOY. (unfortunately, no digital camera, so I have to wait for the photo to be developed) I have never processed the thought of Joy in doing dishes, but remembered reading this passage of "Peace is Every Step." I wanted to share this passage with you after seeing the picture of your kitchen mirror graffiti and doing the dishes in front of the mirror. Many passages from "Peace is Every Step," also reflect the teachings of Christianity similar to this Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. The idea of the "Sacrament of the Present Moment," even when doing dishes. May you find JOY in doing the dishes...I'm still working on being mindful of the idea.

Pati McDougall


Washing the Dishes

"To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren't doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to eat dessert sooner, the time of washing dishes will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles!
If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have dessert, I will be equally incapable of enjoying my dessert. With the fork in my hand, I will be thinking about what to do next, and the texture and flavor of the dessert, together with the pleasure of eating it, will be lost. I will always be dragged into the future, never able to live in the present moment.
Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred. In this light, no boundary exists between the sacred and the profane. I must confess it takes me a bit longer to do the dishes, but I live fully in every moment, and I am happy. Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end--that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes, to live fully in each moment while washing them."

"Peace is Every Step - The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life," by Thich Nhat Hanh