Happy Halloween!

 Thanks to everyone who sent in photos of their little ones. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

{this moment}

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!

wishing you a lovely weekend.

Meditation: Noble Stock

My Cracked Wooden Bowl
This treasure was discovered in a bamboo thicket --
I washed the bowl in a spring and then mended it.
After morning meditation, I take my gruel in it;
At night, it serves me soup or rice.
Cracked, worn, weather-beaten, and misshapen
But still of noble stock!
~Ryokan

Autumn is paradoxically a time of both harvest and decay.  The bounty of summer comes to a close, things start to turn brown and die... and somehow it is so beautiful.  This little zen poem by Ryokan reminds me to find the beauty in everything, even (especially?) those things others may discard or scoff at.  And not just in material things, but in people, in actions, in moments... with a little care and mending aren't we all of noble stock?

Little People

A dreary place would be this earth

Were there no little people in it;

The Song of life would lose its mirth,

Were there no children to begin it.

No little forms, like buds to grow,

And make the admiring heart surrender

No little hands on breast and brow,

To Keep the thrilling love-chords tender.

The sterner souls would grow more stern,
Unfeeling nature more inhuman,

And man to stoic coldness turn,

And Woman would be less than woman.

Life's song, indeed, would lose its charm,
Were there no babies to begin it;
A doleful place this world would be,
Were there no little people in it.

~John Greenleaf Whittier

What's your kid gonna be?

For Halloween, that is. Send a photo of your little boys and ghouls to wabisabimama.com@gmail.com and we'll post them on Wabisabi Mama on Oct. 31.

I'll give you a preview of my little one. Even though Olive's at the top of the weight charts, the costume was really just a coincidence...

{this moment}

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!

wishing you a lovely weekend

On Your Birthday

Dear Mayumi-

Today we celebrate your third birthday!  The Terrific Twos are officially over and we embark on a new period in your life.  I can't believe that three years ago you were born in a humble little birth center after years and years of struggling to get you here.  Sometimes I get sad that you are growing up so quickly, but life with you keeps getting better and better, so I shouldn't complain.  I love you just the way you are and I love seeing you grow and learn new things.  Thank you for bringing so much joy and wonder into my life - I love, love, LOVE you, my little pumpkinhead.

Always and Forever,
Your Mama

Meditation: Service

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

~Mohandas K. Gandhi

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

~Mosiah 2: 17

My own dear Wabisabi Mother is in town.  You know how there are some people who inspire you to be a better person?  When you're in their presence you feel like you want to be the best you can be?  My mother is such a person.  And she doesn't do it be lecturing or making you feel guilty, but through her own actions and example.  She is the type of woman who is constantly busy working to serve other people.  Since she has been here she has spent two entire days working in my garden, helping me to sew new grass, transplant bushes and flowers, plant trees, etc. (I learn so much working side-by-side with her).  The dishes are magically done after every meal, sewing projects are being completed, my daughter has complete undivided attention... I don't know how she does it.  And she is always there to stop and listen to me ramble on and on (I have a lot to catch her up on!). 

 
But what I learn most from her is how to be a selfless person.  Her happiness and fulfillment come from serving others.  Her faith is strengthened by her acts of kindness, and in turn, everyone around her is strengthened as well. 
 
So if at times it seems that we almost have a cult-of-mother mentality, it is because we indeed revere her!  Thanks for being here mom - I'm glad I get you for a few weeks, and I know M and D are eagerly awaiting their turn!

Oops...

This is what was on my kitchen floor today. I won't tell you how many days of build-up this represents or what yummy things that build-up is composed of. I promise  my kitchen's not always this gross; it's just amazing how these things sometimes get away from me...

{this moment}

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!

wishing you a lovely weekend!