Where I’ve Written: a List
At my little white wicker desk, age 12, to my favorite penpal, my grandmother.
In church, in our pew, on the floor amidst the hymnals. I copied the music notes into a notebook and dreamed of being an organist. Age 13
On a whiteboard in my childhood room, in response to my mother’s nightly notes to connect to her teenage daughter. Age 15
Scribbled on a napkin and sent across the table to a boy chomping on an apple, the beginning of us, really.
In San Antonio, historic district, summing up our love in our handwritten wedding vows. Age 21
In Honolulu, in a high rise with a breezy lanai, to my husband at Ranger School in the not so breezy Georgia swamps.
From a sandy, scorching, olive drab military grade tent, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Trying to piece together the right words to reassure family that I was safe.
The day before you were born, caught looking back and dreaming of what lie ahead, on a cozy chair in our first townhome in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the margins of my She Reads Truth Bible, gifted to me by my sister-in-law. I searched for peace, patience, and persistence in the wake of early motherhood.
On a sandy beach, at low tide down from the cliffs off 36th Ave. in Santa Cruz, California. In the middle of sea stars and sea urchins, dirty brown sand, and ice cold water.
Staring out the window identifying backyard birds at our breakfast nook. A table I knew would be well worth the price and the hours of lovely mornings spent with my boys.
On the fold down deck of our RV, amid the goblin rocks, the 3 sisters and arches of Moab.
Under our bed against the cushions of our little dinette, quiet as a mouse while all slept around me.
In the Grand Tetons on a blanket of golden leaves while my boys search for sign of autumn.
On a picnic table in a campground. Moleskin + Junior Ranger notebooks in hand.
In a hot springs campground in Bozeman, Montana - one eye on the boys, one eye on the words.
Surrounded by lego creations with the boys in our living room, acting like I’m playing but really building my own creation in words.
Snuggled up next to my husband near the lamplight while he laughs at a comedy, airpods please!
Left on a post-it sandwiched between the jaws of my laptop.
My notes app. amongst the millions of notes only Siri reads.
In our cozy mountain home in Jeremy at a ripe 5am huddled under a heating blanket and next to a fire, alone.
On the back of an opened envelope, most likely a bill needing to be paid, which then got carried away until lost. Oops.
In our local library back to the children’s books, while you walk around pulling books off the shelf. What made me think I could write there?
In a greenhouse, next to a fiddle leaf fig, a maidenhair fern, and snake plant.
Cushioned on a chair I paid too much for, carried across the country and refuse to give up.
Here, creekside fishing with thistles and two wild boys. Our new home, Park City, Utah.
East Canyon Trailhead Park City, Utah
