When the clock ticks and the IV beeps and the hip through the blanket feels like it is bare bone laying on the bed, its easy for mamma heart to flee to the scary place. The place where deepest fear resides. The one that reminds us how this skin is the only thing holding soul to terra firma. When you remember how thin that veneer, how poor a capture, how soul is always trying to fight its way free of it, to shake skin into dust, to fly off into space. When you remember how precious lives are; how short. You find yourself clinging to skin. I hugged people I don’t usually hug…my boss, my colleagues. Realizing flesh as slippery fish, I held on tight.

We all need to remember that somedays don’t we?

When you children make you want to climb walls?

When you friend steps heavy on your toes?

When your spouse forgets you for a moment?

When you are cut off in traffic? Pushed aside? Left behind?

Life in the flesh is tricky business, easy to misstep or take for granted. If we remember the shortness of the breath, how difficult the struggle; might it help us to keep the main things, the main things?

I will remember. You might need to remind me again next week.

And to all of you who have worried…our boy is finally, healing nicely. Thanks for your amazing support…you’ve made life in our flesh so much better!