back of a book, on the porch

I don’t have the slow opportunity to let words marinate so much any longer.

That’s not what my life is looking like in this season, at this time.

But the other day I found myself on our porch with a few thoughts and no paper.

I was reading a book – that thankfully I owned – so I used the back pages to record a few thoughts.

These are those on-the-back-pages-of-a-book ramblings.

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It’s astonishing how deeply a comfortable breeze can penetrate my mood,

make a tedious task turn into a treat.

Give me ears to hear and eyes to see what was already here but just out of sight.

Boys. Laughing and flipping on the trampoline and they should be doing Saturday chores – but so should I and I think they can feel the breeze bring its goodness too.

Hints of autumn.

My phone is nowhere in reach and that’s good because I have this pen and the back page of this book instead.

Literally, I can breathe more clearly right now.

Dear Jesus, let me always remember:

blue pens
clean socks
cool mornings in the South 
hot tea with a touch of sweet cream
photos of years spent living in the Burrow
a happy home of hope
lights strung on the porch
laughter
so much laughter

I’m going to open the windows.
Forget the mental battle with my body that I’ve been waging all summer.

And I’m going to smile.
Run in the yard with my dog.
Turn the music up and dance around the living room.

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