Thursday, June 20, 2013

Theme Thursday: Water and Rituals

So should I change the name of this place to the Thursday Morning Post?  No!  Because I have so, so much to tell you, Dear Web Log, a thousand posts in my head, just as many pictures in my camera, and exactly two drafts in my folder. But these two weeks have been...so so hard. The kind of hardness that leaves your bones aching with weakness and your head spinning, and yet you still find yourself living an existence shifting through empty and half full and overflowing cardboard boxes and endless sets of sandy feet and hungry bellies AND YET YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE SO MUCH!!!

I will save all that for another post, because today is Theme Thursday with Clan Donaldson, and I swear I didn't write the schedule, but it's Water! And a thin veil of happiness descends...


Yeah, we moved to this beach house almost two weeks ago, with our six kids, and our dog, and our snake and our overworked Daddy and underpaid Mama, because even with those auspicious adjectives to our titles, we have this longing for beauty, for simple earthly serenity, for goodness' sake. And after our short foray here, I am sure we will find both of these things in this yellow brick house by the sea. 

But right now, it ain't home, it's work. So much work when we have already spent what greatness we have had in the getting here. 


Unplanned, but incredibly welcome, we have developed a little ritual of walking down to the beach after dinner and pretending we aren't going to go in, but inevitably, they go in. Ritual becomes so important in these trying times, something to hold onto, especially at times when you are feeling a bit lost and a bit homeless, even though you are neither. The Good God, He made us this way, and ritual almost feels like His outstretched hand, pulling you through to the place of belonging.


Ours is the little yellow one, dead center with the front of windows. Of course it happens to be sunset, and of course the kitchen happens to be clean (completely clean!) for the first time since breakfast, and all eight of us (teenagers included, unbidden) wander down the white sand path to the water. Actually our neighbors' path because ours is overgrown (more work for tomorrow).


Have you ever been in the Gulf at sunset? It is a liquidy, soft, golden-pink enchantment. No wonder they go in fully clothed. First it gets their toes, and then the hems of their clothes get wet, until a wave overcomes them and swallows them all up.


Pleasure, that.

So this elementary ritual, going to the water when I'd rather go to bed, I feel like in their happy, brown skinned, just one more time dip, I'm reaping the most benefit.

23 comments:

  1. That second-to-last picture of Momo? That's what worship looks like in its purest, most intense form. I'm all teary from this post. Again. I'm just going to have to make it a habit to grab Kleenex before heading over here.

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    1. "That's what worship looks like in its purest, most intense form."

      YES.

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  2. Okay, I am in love with your new home - in love! How enchanting to live right on the ocean, so happy for all of you and what great times you are going to have there!
    I know what you mean about how it doesn't feel like home, it feels like work. When we moved, I swear I felt like we were on some type of twisted extended not so fun vacation for a very long time - then things just settled. I pray the same goes for you!

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    1. Thank you for that! Need to lean on the fact that someday soon this will all be done!

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  3. Going to the water . . . it's so instinctive, is it not? So easy, like your feet know the way--always easier going down to the shore than back up. Not a coincidence, I think. The Gulf is indeed one of my oldest acquaintances.

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  4. Beautiful. Those kids look like they are having fun, and I'm sure it is filling all your souls to have that time together, and soaking in the wonders of where you are! I love those silhouette photos!

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  5. I love this...yes the water is so enchanting..it just pulls you in...fully clothes and all. And, the Gulf at sunset is simply magical.

    Many prayers for you my friend, during this time of difficulty. Moving is such a hardship.

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  6. Rebekah, I've missed you so much.

    "Ritual becomes so important in these trying times, something to hold onto, especially at times when you are feeling a bit lost and a bit homeless, even though you are neither."

    You slay me with your words, woman.

    Sincerely,
    Lost and Homeless

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    1. Missed you too! Can't wait to catch up on all your adventures, and so interesting and providential to be going through this together!

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  7. You are so incredibly talented. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!

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  8. Beautiful!
    "pretending we aren't going to go in, but inevitably, they go in. " every time without fail :)

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  9. Gorgeous pictures! And yes, ritual is important.

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  10. You are raising such happy and lucky kids!

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  11. White sandy beaches...you have plopped yourself down in paradise!

    Beautiful pictures btw.

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  12. ps...clean kitchen..also paradise. I cannot seem to make that happen this summer!!

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  13. Living near water = dream. Congratulations on making a new home.

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  14. Your new home looks like Heaven. And the same words that slayed Micaela slayed me!

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  15. Across the board: beautiful and thought-filled pictures and words.

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  16. How beautiful!! Your life is a postcard and the caption is, "YOU wish YOU were here!"

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  17. Peace and blessings to you as you make this house your home. Summer has taught us about rituals as well -- old ones and new ones.

    Lovely, lovely pictures!

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  18. What an incredible place. I know it's a ton of work now, but I agree, the joy in your daughter's pose says it all. God bless you in your new home.

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  19. I don't know how you manage to be that busy yet still have time to post amazing photos AND write words of simple beauty that brings a tear to my eye. I marvel. Seriously.

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