“So I made a projector from a cardboard box and a flashlight, drew something resembling stained glass onto a plastic bag, cast the image onto the wall, and sketched it out in the dark.”
This is so beautiful Lindsey. Did you know you were also providing us with some therapy? I didn’t realise how much I needed the cathedral and the meadow today! 💛
This was so beautiful. Genuinely brought tears to my eyes. In many ways I'm in a similar place with writing and motherhood. Reading this really seemed to open the world up for a minute. I love the idea of making the big painting with the kids too.
I love this, Lindsey. As you know, I always love seeing y'all's artwork behind you during LWH, and now I "get" the stained glass appearance. The bricklayer parable reminds me of a story I heard about President Kennedy visiting NASA. There was a guy mopping, and Kennedy asked him, "What are you doing?" "I'm helping put a man on the moon, Mr. President." A different type of cathedral, but a cathedral indeed.
So much of this reminds me of the 3 of Pentacles in the tarot. Three figures huddled together in the dark, plotting their vision. What does it mean to build in darkness, as you write about here? What does it take to be the light yourself, to contain it within you, to bring together the resources you need to move from blueprint to scaffolding to completion? I imagine it takes deep imagination & faith. So here's to nurturing those beautiful parts of our brains and our heart so that one day we can make the cathedral in our mind a reality in existence, so that we can invite others into it and stand beside them and pray together.
Oh Lindsey, your words always hit this most tender part of me. You write about subjects that could be classed as 'mundane' as if you are creating poetry about the sacred, which you, of course, are. Thank you for your magical word weaving.
Oh I love this so much Lindsey. I’m going to try the cathedral as well as the meadow thing. And your thoughts about “will I ever finish the book” totally resonate. Both writing and tending to the needs of small children is holy work xxx.
Ah Lindsey, I read this first thing this morning and your beautiful words have returned to me throughout the day. The cathedral and the meadow are such beautiful descriptions and such needed places, I resonate deeply. Thank you for speaking to the largely unseen (and yet all-consuming) nature of mothering and writing, a realisation that I have been pondering for a while…
I was struck by the delicate and robust intertwining of it all and the way in which you were given the cathedral and radon images with their staying power. And always a cat on the lap.
“So I made a projector from a cardboard box and a flashlight, drew something resembling stained glass onto a plastic bag, cast the image onto the wall, and sketched it out in the dark.”
Those are a couple lucky kids. Nice work. ♥️
Aw thanks, my friend. I'm the lucky one!
This is so beautiful Lindsey. Did you know you were also providing us with some therapy? I didn’t realise how much I needed the cathedral and the meadow today! 💛
I hope they're helpful!
I could feel the little arms going into little coats. Very touching.
Thanks, Wendy!
This was so beautiful. Genuinely brought tears to my eyes. In many ways I'm in a similar place with writing and motherhood. Reading this really seemed to open the world up for a minute. I love the idea of making the big painting with the kids too.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I love this, Lindsey. As you know, I always love seeing y'all's artwork behind you during LWH, and now I "get" the stained glass appearance. The bricklayer parable reminds me of a story I heard about President Kennedy visiting NASA. There was a guy mopping, and Kennedy asked him, "What are you doing?" "I'm helping put a man on the moon, Mr. President." A different type of cathedral, but a cathedral indeed.
Thanks, John! Your note to me about the painting inspired me to write about how it came to be. Thank you!
"We have only glimpses of what we’re building together." That made me cry. Beautiful work as usual, Lindsey.
Thanks so much, Lillian. That means a lot to me!
So much of this reminds me of the 3 of Pentacles in the tarot. Three figures huddled together in the dark, plotting their vision. What does it mean to build in darkness, as you write about here? What does it take to be the light yourself, to contain it within you, to bring together the resources you need to move from blueprint to scaffolding to completion? I imagine it takes deep imagination & faith. So here's to nurturing those beautiful parts of our brains and our heart so that one day we can make the cathedral in our mind a reality in existence, so that we can invite others into it and stand beside them and pray together.
This is so beautiful, Hannah. Thank you so much. "Deep imagination and faith." Very much, yes!
Oh Lindsey, your words always hit this most tender part of me. You write about subjects that could be classed as 'mundane' as if you are creating poetry about the sacred, which you, of course, are. Thank you for your magical word weaving.
Also Writing An Eclipse...yes please!
Thank you so much, Susannah! So grateful for your kind words.
Oh I love this so much Lindsey. I’m going to try the cathedral as well as the meadow thing. And your thoughts about “will I ever finish the book” totally resonate. Both writing and tending to the needs of small children is holy work xxx.
Yes, Julie! I'd love to hear if those images work for you!
Ah Lindsey, I read this first thing this morning and your beautiful words have returned to me throughout the day. The cathedral and the meadow are such beautiful descriptions and such needed places, I resonate deeply. Thank you for speaking to the largely unseen (and yet all-consuming) nature of mothering and writing, a realisation that I have been pondering for a while…
The mothering, the writing—so much tending. It helps me to think about them as part of the same effort. Thank you so much for reading, Lyndsay!
What an enjoyable piece, Lindsey. Exquisite writing!
Thanks, Linda!
Beautiful - heavy and light - made me smile. ✨
Thank you, KK!
This is so beautiful, and so resonant. I am so happy to read your words, always.
💞💞💞
I was struck by the delicate and robust intertwining of it all and the way in which you were given the cathedral and radon images with their staying power. And always a cat on the lap.
Always a cat!
Such soothing and inspiring words. This was a balm for my soul and body
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful writing. You’re already beyond the frame.
Thank you, Emma!