Posts

'Tis the Gift to be Simple (2 years in Houston anniversary post)

-
Image
I entered the front door to hear my niece crying somewhere in the back of the house. It was the tired, sad type of crying typical of three year olds who refuse to take naps, so I didn't rush as I looked around for her. I thought at first she was in my sister's bedroom, but the cry sounded closer, and slightly muffled. Lillian was crying from inside the living room ottoman. At the same time, my sister Erica, opened the front door for the bug man. We had recently moved into a new house, and with the discovery of a dinosaur sized cockroach in the pantry, called the exterminators immediately. While the bug man sprayed along the edges of the walls, I sat on the long, rectangular ottoman. It was covered in cushioned brown leather with the top split in two to access storage inside. My niece had recently taken to hanging out in there, sometimes with her ipad to watch shows. My sister made sure she propped the lid with a book, but in Lillian's state of mind, she kept pushing ...
Post a Comment
Read more

For Kristen- A Poem

-
Image
For Kristen Waves lap along the shore stealing sand and leaving more Wet feet imprint as they go Wandering pell-mell in the throes of living, chasing life One wave washes out to sea a shell I meant to glean Leaving grasping hands Empty; sifting sands like an hour glass shaken in haste Slipping, too soon By Laelia Watt
Post a Comment
Read more

We Don't Know Everything

-
Image
(Example lesson in a photo: We only see part of it. Frederick the cello-LCW 2009) Science and Religion, (for the purposes of this essay, here referred to as their societal and historical entities), have much more in common than either camp has deigned to admit over the past few centuries. As any cursory glance of history will prove, both have been wrong at one time or another. This fact is not easily swallowed by the followers of those who believe Science holds all the answers to the exclusion of Religion, and it is equally unpalatable to the followers who believe Religion holds the only answers to the exclusion of Science. These are the commonalities between Science and Religion: 1. They have both been wrong, resulting in dire consequences for humanity and the environment, for the well-being of those who are more vulnerable among us, and for humanity's general understanding of the world and our place in it. 2. They have both been right too,resulting in astoundingly beau...
1 comment
Read more

The Uncomfortable In-Between

-
Image
(Burnt tree bark, Mount Lemmon, Catalina Mountains- LCW -Tucson, AZ 2009) After a wedding in 2014, my cousin blurted out, "Laelia, you worry so much! I don't even believe in God and most things just eventually work out..." That comment was the impetus for a lot of soul searching. I knew it was true that I worried too much. I had only recently been facing how deep and long that Fear had been in my heart. And if I was supposed to have a God who I can trust, then why DID I worry so much? As a Christian since I was seven, God was supposed to be my antidote to that fear. Even as a teenager, I memorized verses like, "Do not fear, for I am with you!" and I could identify with the disciples when they were terrified on the stormy seas even though Jesus was on the boat . Honestly, the world can be a scary place. Even if God is real, horrible things have happened, which Christians often attempt to rationalize with weak platitudes in order to hide pain and drown q...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jam Woes

-
I eat jam so rarely It grew a bit scary In the back of my small Frigidaire. One's appetite wanes With phantom stomach pains At the sight of jam with white hair. By Laelia Watt
Post a Comment
Read more

Falling

-
I tripped on a rise in the sidewalk when I told my dad about you Rare is the heartthrob admitted out loud That momentary stumble My lips are sealed Tighter than my heartstrings Accustomed to scars Silence is safest The same street we walked, the same route that takes me to you I remember the moment every time I pass That momentary stumble My lips are sealed But even concrete cracks ~~~ Laelia Watt 11/19/2015
Post a Comment
Read more

F.E.A.R

-
Image
A skull? Nothing to fear! It is a weathered log! (LCW, Catalina Mountains 2009) The opposite of peace is not war. It is fear. The opposite of love is not hate. It is fear. Fear drives calamity, disturbs the otherwise still heart to doubt, and imagine evil against, or about, one's neighbor Fear steals the courage of love and the serenity of peace. It clouds our judgment And stalls our ambitions Fear confuses our intentions And kills our joy Perfect love sends fear running. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Isaiah 41:10, 13 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Mnemonic devices to aid in assuaging fear: ...
Post a Comment
Read more