SWB: The Land of Counterpane

Image from Amazon.com of the book cover, 'Sleeping with bread: holding what gives you life.'

This poem by Robert Louis Stevenson is one that I remember from my childhood. My Mom used to almost recite it to my sister and I if we were home and sick in bed. I make a stronger connection to this poem and my sister as she struggled with a heart problem all of her life. This poem holds a balance of the comfort of quilts, over-stuffed pillows, and covers filled with favorite toys without shying from the fact that the child is in the bed because she is ill. I mention this poem on Sleeping with bread Monday as I think it holds in beautiful balance the comfort and discomfort that are present in life. It is an example of the bitter-sweetness of life.

The Land of Counterpane

When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay,
To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.

I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.

Robert Louis Stevenson

As for my bread for the week, I took comfort in unscheduled time with my husband and children over the holiday.It's so fun to have long chats that meander around like a lazy river with the ones you love the most. Earlier this weekend I wrote a piece (Please, see Saturday's blog if you'd like to know more about our adventures.) about going on a walk with my 3 year old great nephew on New Years Day - that was a great moment! I enjoyed the fun of catching up on season 4 of Lost, yes I'm one of those crazy Lost fans. Now I'm all set on Hulu for the new season when it begins.

As for discomfort, I feel most of that is coming into my life as a means of growth and personal stretching. Isn't it peculiar how once you reach one goal, another one comes right behind it to push beyond comfort zones. I took a new world dance class on Saturday and on Sunday my ribs and sides reminded me all day of the physical frontier that I'd pushed past. I'm stretching in other parts of life too.

This week is my birthday week as well, so that gives me another reason to reflect and ponder this moment in life. I hope to have lunch with my husband on Friday at the only Indian spot in 70 miles, we'll have to drive 68 miles to get there, but it will be worth it.

Also, this coming Sunday I will be formally installed as the youth minister and a member at my new church. I've invited friends and family to attend and I'm really excited about this upcoming event. It represents to me the great deal of learning and rediscovery as well as a chance to lay down some roots for a bit. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I could put down some vocational roots without being as fearful of what's going to happen a few months down the road. You never know the permanence of work and life, but it's good to feel like I am able to relax my gun shy roots for a while.

From the comforts of childhood to the passing of another birthday, I desire that my roots run deep into the well of God that refreshes my soul. More than down comforters or a dream job, God is someone I know I can rest in.