Worth a thousand words

Plus a few summer reads, hidden art in trees, & our collective call to change

You might have noticed I didn’t have a new essay for you last Saturday.

But I do have this.

If a picture’s worth 1,000 words, then this is the best thousand I’ve written thus far this year. Taken at my last immunotherapy infusion. I’m officially done with cancer treatment, and those words alone keep bringing me to tears. Thanks for being in my corner, all along this long, winding way. Here’s to what comes next...

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And now for our regular mid-week offering:

1. Unexpectedly devoured two books by Lucy Jones in the past two weeks: Matrescence: On Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood and Losing Eden: Our Fundamental Need for the Natural World and Its Ability to Heal Body and Soul. Basically the neuroscience of the maternal brain and the science of our estrangement from the very nature we’re destroying. Haven’t agreed with all of her perspectives but fascinating reads.

2. A lovely essay on the merits of lifelong reading and leading the young to their own life-changing discoveries. (I also adore the idea of a Family Favorites shelf.) What We Hope To Pass On by Michael O’Connell at Dappled Things.

3. Can’t stop thinking about Ukrainian artist Diana Yevtukh’s remarkable tree embroidery installations. Follow her on IG or FB for more inspiration.

4. Credit goes to my sister for sharing this delightful iPhone refresh: change the lock screen/wallpaper to a rotating selection of nature photos you’ve taken. 

5. “To sway is to move to meet the needs of others. Isn't this the heart of family life?” My latest from OSV News. (Column won 2nd place in the recent Catholic Media Awards, so if it’s not carried by your local paper, give them a nudge!)

This post contains affiliate links because bills cannot yet, sadly, be paid by words alone.