With 2016 coming to an end, I started putting together a photobook of daily pictures. I take one photo each day, write a bit about it, and at the end of the year, I compile all of these into a hardback book. Last week, I read through these entries and I couldn't believe all we've done and everywhere we have been in 2016. We've traveled so much and I've continued my work with a breastfeeding child, doing my best to balance motherhood with my workload. To be honest, it's been an absolutely exhausting year and I don't say that with a sense of martyred pride. Being so busy, I've discovered, is simply stupid. After reading through everything, I gave myself a lot of grace. It's been one thing after another - a lot of sickness, a lot of travel, several heavy issues we've had to deal with in our community, lots of work done through it all, and lots of relationships made and built.
Through it all, I've been ever more grateful for our home. It is my stabilizer, my place of peace. I find myself revived when I'm able to spend a day at home with Leo or just a few hours. Admittedly, I too often spend this time worried that I'm not doing what I need to get done, but sometimes I am able to just sit back to be fully present and those are the moments that bring me the most joy. Here is a compilation of photos I've taken at home this year, mostly with Leo and mostly with him wearing few to no clothes. My favorite time is the end of the day when the setting sun brings slanting shadows and a glowing light, as if it's asking me to pay attention.
We will end this week with a staff retreat and next week we travel to the U.S. once again for the holidays. Although I look forward to being with loved ones and investing in many activities that bring us a sense of purpose, I think this time especially, I will miss our own home.
