Ancestors

Written by Common Sparrow on 2025-01-27 at 02:55

I have a well loved paperback book that was a Christmas gift from my dad fifteen years ago. He has been gone from this life for over seven years now, but I open the cover of the book, and there I still see his familiar handwriting, "Merry Christmas and God Bless from Daddy". I picked up that book this depressing week, because I needed it now.

The book is "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor. It always helps me come back to solid ground, to focus on the small beloved stuff of daily life. When the world is all too much for me, it reminds me to grasp the tangibles that I can rely on.

In the Introduction, she writes:

"Many years ago now, a wise old priest invited me to come speak at his church. ... 'Come tell us what is saving your life now'. ... It was as if he had swept his arm across a dusty table and brushed all the formal china to the ground. I did not have to try to say correct things that were true for everyone. ... All I had to do was figure out what my life depended on. ... My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them."

This question is insisting on my attention this week. "What is saving my life right now?" Where are the daily helpings of good crumbs that keep this sparrow nourished for that day, and then the next day?

I will be looking for those life-saving crumbs now, paying attention to what they might be.

[#]Books

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Toot

Written by Common Sparrow on 2025-01-27 at 03:04

One of my lifelines these days is the #DailyHaikuPrompt. I used to write poetry in past years, but have not done so in a long time. This little nudge, each day, saying, "C'mon, just three lines, and you don't even have to come up with a topic", this has got me started writing again. And once started, I am turning to it eagerly, like a thirsty person to cool water. This is a small life-saving thing now, a light in the dark. (Thanks to whoever thinks up the daily prompts!)

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Descendants

Written by Annie on 2025-01-27 at 11:36

@CommonSparrow Yes, it's great.

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