on sunday it was sunny - very little smoke in the air for the first time in many days.
so i sat outside and in the cool of the morning and read in my Bible - in Genesis and Psalms - in Genesis 16 we meet Hagar, the stranger who God finds, who is seen by God and who sees God, and Psalm 116 could be Hagar's song
and read some poetry - The Moon Says Hello - by Lori Hetteen
later, i headed out into the backyard into the warmth and sunshine. for three hours i soaked summer into my skin.
and i finished Be Free or Die, the Robert Smalls story - the writing isn't amazing, but Robert Smalls was an amazing person. and there are so many pieces of history that are important in this book
then i started and finished counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan - this book is wonderful young adult literature
the very best lines: her arms are around me. tight. because the woman is so strong, you'd think her hug would choke me. but instead, it's the first time i can get a full breath into my lungs since i heard what happened.
and i was undone and crying. this. this is exactly how i feel when ben hugs me. and this was exactly how i felt one september night after the longest eight months in my whole life. his arms around me. tight. because he is so strong, you'd think his hug would choke me. but instead, it's the first time in eight months that i can get a full breath into my lungs.
and now, monday, and it is raining. i have plans to do some cleaning and organizing and staying busy. i’ll read a psalm and maybe start another book, and try not to count hours ... 53 until i get one of those hugs ...