First, it’s my Middle’s birthday:

Catelyn. My dear daughter. You’re 17….a Dancing Queen. ?? Happy Birthday, KitKat. I am so amazed by WHO you are. I find I reflect most when I’m sitting sideline at a volleyball practice or game…I watch you from afar and, well, you’re striking. Stunning. You exude athletic grace on the court. You exude pure grace even more off of it. You glide in a humble confidence on the court. Even more so off of it. You love your people so authentically, you’re a consistent and high-quality teammate. Off the court, you’re a consistently high-quality friend and human. Catelyn, you are radiant and you have a stop-in-your-tracks beautiful presence about you. You are empathetic, compassionate, real. You listen. You SEE people. You are perceptive and intuitive, wise and secure. You are a voice of reason and also you allow your heart to feel…deeply. You see the world through such a uniquely beautiful spirit and you share a unique joy that only you can share. I love your laugh. I love what you find funny. I love what you find important. I love your convictions and I’m proud of what informs your opinions. Mostly, I LOVE being your Mom. I LOVE that God gave me you. I LOVE you so much. Mostest, even. 🙂 Happy Birthday, Queen.

Second, here is my both+and for the day:

Why do you think it’s wise to be ‘slow to speak?’
Just sit with that question for a minute, even if you don’t agree, and think about what might be wise about it. Or maybe you tune out the phrase because it feels cliché or rote, ‘christian-ese’ or trite. 

But, 

   as with anything, 

   something 

      can be relevant. . .

My answer: Because words matter. 

The words we think. The words we read. The words we hear. The words that we ponder on and the words that we use to describe our experience. The words we feel and the words we speak. Words matter. 

Evaluate: 

What has your experience been when you’ve 
thought, 
read, 
heard, 
pondered, 
described, 
felt or 
spoken 
words that are fast? 

And, in turn, what happens when you use words
  *o n   p u r p o s e*  ? 

My theory: Fast is easy. It’s simple. It’s quick.slash.“efficient.” It’s comfortable. And, well, we tend to like those things. . .  S l o w, however, that’s harder. It’s more complicated and complex. Slow takes more time. And as far as comfort goes: if I’m truly intentional and purposeful with my words, I’m actually choosing vulnerability. And that word – it is, in and of itself, a tough one. The harder conversation – vulnerable. Engaging in complex expression and feeling – vulnerable. Taking the time to truly connect with someone – vulnerable. Offering the opportunity for another’s opinion – vulnerable. Inviting mutuality – vulnerable. Inherent in slowness is silence – and that, too, is vulnerable. In our hurry to fill the space, in our rush to quiet the silence, in our self-protection from vulnerability, we tend to say the words that are on the tips of our tongues, quick and superficial. Because there, we have safety, protection, ease . . . . . . . excuses. 

So, yes, it is wise to be slow to speak. It is also deep. And meaningful. And ultimately, it has the potential to generate a connection, one that goes beyond the ‘ease of superficiality’ into something powerfully rich, if IF we are willing to choose it.

*Post 949

. . . :: 11/8/17 :: Post 72

Today was not fabulous… I felt awful and continue to feel awful.

I am discouraged….I am miserable….I don’t feel like writing much more….

I need tomorrow to be better….

15 :: 11/8/18 :: Post 421

Happy birthday sweet Catelyn. And you got to spend it playing volleyball in the Colorado State Tournament.

So impressed by your character, poise, determination, humility, grit, commitment and joy.

What an amazing day. I am so glad I get to be your momma.

Gratitude Month Day 8 :: 11/8/19 :: Post 784

I’m hurting desperately bad. And I’m not feeling well. And I have a long weekend ahead. So, this is all I have energy for tonight:

Gratitude Month Day 8 – Happy Sweet 16 my sweet Caty. How beautiful you are, dear daughter. Your heart for others, your relentless commitment to excellence, your maturity, your incredibly high work ethic, your integrity, your wisdom, your joy and spunkiness, your willingness to take selfies with your crazy mom, your laughter, your ability to listen, your attitude of gratitude, your talent, your faith and your friendship are deeply treasured. I am so grateful I get to be your momma.