Summer Self

Hey Moms,

i see you

it’s late july

you’re making so many lists

you’re running so many places

the pool has become your shower

and you have become your minivan

always on the move

holding it all

feeling a little crummy

So rememeber,

Even in the summer

it is not selfish to take care of yourself

to choose something that calms you with a wave ahhhhhhhh

something that makes you giggle

or returns your sense of grounding

so stop for that cup of tea

dip the tea bag a hundred or more times if that’s what it takes to slow your breathing

make yourself a gorgeous, simple, colorful breakfast 

eat it real slow and lick your fingers with necessary smacking and moaning

share your feelings and let a friend feel the full weight of your sob

bend down and press your tired cheekbone to the rain-kissed grass 

let it tickle a smile back onto your face 

dance around in a meadow to awaken your inner child

search the emptied sky for arching color and 

watch wonder fill you from toe to eye brow 

settle down the buzzing anxiety in a long, lavender bubble bath

drain away frustration in the pouring relief of a generous shower

light a candle for yourself and watch it dance just for you 

collect colored pencils and place them in a jar 

reach for them when the negative narrative starts yacking

let the pencils remind you that you make beautiful things and you were made for beautiful things

read poetry, sing a prayer or even water color yourself to sleep 

you will dream with that alive-tired feeling 

the pillow adores so much 

it’s not selfish or lazy or crazy to do these things 

it’s trust 

You trust your inner sculptures to stand up for what you need because you trust the One who sculpted you 

You trust that this diligent care of the miraculous inner you will usher your mind back to the 

beautiful 

holy

hard

N O W

so that moment by moment gratitude will learn how to breach your brain and swamp anxiety and shame

all we have is the glorious now 

trust and gratitude are sufficient always

right here in this rise and fall

right here in this steady, sacred gift of a pulse

your. life. matters.

trust that

even if it’s all you have in the world

you are a unique and precious human being

you are worth every bit of nurture you need

you are capable of seeking it for yourself

you are growing stronger

and peace and love are filling you through the nourishment of blood, bone and flesh

notice your soul blooming within you 

you are becoming

“You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful–I know that very well.”

Psalm 139:13-14