i am a tree

He is jealous for me.
Loves like a hurricane;
I am a tree
bending beneath the weight
of His wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions
eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are,
and how great Your affections are for me.

David Crowder*Band

Five people who mean a lot, in no particular order:

I’m going to cheat a little here and squeeze more people in than I’m supposed to because, while this is by no means an exhaustive list, I can’t keep it down to only five. So bear with me.

• The Carey women; you are absolutely my best friends, which is weird to some but the most normal thing in the world to us. I love that our relationship has no off switch.
• The boys; Dad, Nick, and Tain, you are big dorks and you make me laugh.
• Millie & Mitch & splotchesx2; I never expected it to be this cool.
• Annie, Bette, and Fran; my cousins and bffs. I’m honoured to know you.
• Staish; you are truly a gift of God, wrapped in the brightest ribbons.
• Ruthieroo; I still can’t believe we’re practically neighbours. It’s the best.
• Elizabeth, Ruth, & Miriam; you make my heart sing.
• Carla & Meaghan; always, you guys.
• Ainz & Kat; Creek Roadies unite!
• My grandparents; my heritage.
• My amazing aunts; I admire you ladies.
• The Childs; you know us that well and you still love us?
• Jane, Anna, Luke & Dan; climbin’ up the mountain, children, children.
• Abbie, Caitlin, Tegan, Rachel, & Cara; you model grace to me and are such faithful long-distance friends.
• Harri, Eb, Kandis, & Laurie; my western girls whom I still miss.
• My online peeps; you guys probably couldn’t possibly know how much I appreciate having you in my life, even if we’ve never met (but I hope we do).

Thou shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.

Want to make a positive difference in the world? Do you have a stamp, an envelope and five minutes to spare? Well then please help me send sunshine to someone who is in desperate need of it.

Kathryn is a wonderful woman who helped raise me and inspire me to be the person I am today. I know a lot of people describe those that they love to be incredibly loving, warm, big-hearted, good natured, and just all around wonderful, but it has never been truer than with Kathryn. She brings a smile to the face of everyone she meets. She has been a friend to my family for as long as I can remember and has helped us through tough times. She’s supported her community through her church and by offering her smile and heart to strangers.

Though she has always been kind to others, life hasn’t been kind to her. Right now she’s fighting off inoperable pancreatic cancer, infections and a multitude of other medical problems I can’t comprehend. Kathryn has fought it all long and hard. She told my grandmother once that she could sit around and be sorry for herself or she could go out and live each day with a zest and fervor for life and she’s done that. She has continued to be a positive force in the world for others.

But lately her sickness has worked it’s ways on her and Kathryn is lacking in hope. When my grandmother talked to her a day or so ago she sounded worn down and like she was giving up.

This is where you come in. Kathryn loves receiving mail. Whenever I send her a letter she always writes back and tells me how excited she was to hear from me. It puts a metaphorical spring in her step.

Please write a letter to Kathryn. It doesn’t have to be long, just a note telling her that you’re thinking of her, that you hope she’s feeling better, that you’re praying for her, that you support her—anything. I want her to feel kindness from the strangers she’s helped, I want her to receive all of the love that she put out into the world.

Please help. It will take five minutes of your time. Email me at askrhiannon@gmail.com for her address.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

• my sister married her smiling boy on a sparkling winter afternoon;
• I've adjusted to living on my own for the first time ever;
• uni break welcomed me into its lazy open arms;
• my days have been full of friend catch-ups, reading, and busyness;
• I discovered I do like sushi;
• Josh Harris' Dug Down Deep and William Zinsser's On Writing Well have been keeping me company;
• five more grey hairs discovered (but I'm young!);
• I've realised I'm scared to write because I seem to have forgotten what I most cared about saying.