Saturday, December 12, 2009

Evergreen


It is pouring rain. I have a stomach virus from four babies at my preschool that shot diarrhea out of their extremely small bottoms like miniature canons all day Friday, one by one they went home, bellyaching and cleaned head to toe each time the diaper didn't work for a living. Friday night we used a gift card and went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and picked our Christmas tree. It was my favorite kind of night to pick a tree, slight rain and cold but not windy. We stood in the rain for an hour picking the tree and then waiting for the thick stump to be sawed and the tree to netted. Mr. Curry pulled the entire tree manfully over his shoulders and carried it to the car. The boys tied up Lola with tree floss.

Lola gathered a small tree branch end and named it Ever, which happens to be ( so far ) at the top of the list for Girl names if Mr. Curry and I are so lucky to have another baby. Ever Elizabeth, the Elizabeth being after my Grandma Elizabeth who passed away a few years back.
It is essential for me to hear and feel rain. When I was a child if I was afraid, I would sneak out my window and hide underneath the big bushes and trees in our yard. I did this when it was raining. The kind of fear that darkness, rain and trees bring a child is a pure fear. It is not the same as fearing your father. I stayed in the rain and inside the leaves and I felt embraced by the world and it's cycles and fears and beauties, and that feeling took root in me and has remained a crucial part of myself ever since.
When it rains I take the family on a rain-hike at least once. We go into the canyons that Mr. Curry and I played in as children and hike in the pouring rain, mud, tree, dunk our soaked feet in the swollen river and fall and slip on the banks. It is a cleansing ritual and something to remind us we are alive. And we are together.

In Other News, Nie has a series of articles about the plane crash and all that follows which I highly recommend reading here. I am sure ( although it has not been said ) that the young reporter who has done all this research and personally followed Nie through her trials is planning on writing a book, and I will be first in line to read it.
jaykbee said...

you are such a beautiful person, inside and out. I love reading your blog.

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful post -- turning the mundane, picking out a Christmas tree in the rain into something lyrical and haunting.

Unknown said...

You make rain sound so beautiful and natural, like how I used to see it as a child. It feels nice to read about something that I feel I have lost, does that make sense?

By the way, I read on the left column there that you are an endometriosis survivor. What does that mean? I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis and whilst I know the pain and understand how it affects me now, I don't understand what it means to 'survive' it? Sorry, I hope you don't mind me asking.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful girl's name! Sounds like you're enjoying the season with your family, so nice :-)

Ms. Moon said...

It has been raining here for days, gray and chilly and still- I do not mind. The rain is always welcome here in the land of my heart. It gives me comfort, too.

justmakingourway said...

Lovely - although I'm sorry about the stomach bug. I love picking out the Christmas tree too. It's a moment I look forward to every year.

Ellen said...

Though there are days we may feel low and out of sorts with the world there is a need to release it....you and I share that need through writing. I am glad I found your blog to know that somewhere there is another soul who feels ....and maybe through your writing you too feel that release...Ever is a lovely name....

Unknown said...

thank you .
how beautiful

Rebecca said...

jaykbee is correct. I love reading your blog too...

When I was still living at home, I'd go to a tree farm and pick out a Blue Spruce every year. They'd cut the top of the tree off and reshape it and tend to it for 10 or so years only to be topped off again........It was a nice tree farm and I miss having a live tree.

Lemon said...

i have heard of/thought of using the name Ever for a girl. that is beautiful, i love it more and more each time i say it. Have a blessed christmas season with you family!

Beth said...

“The boys tied up Lola with tree floss.”
Love this bit – ah, the joy of older brothers!

Angie Muresan said...

I pray that Ever makes her way into your family where I know she will be blessed with all the love you and Mr. Curry have to offer.

anymommy said...

Your words are gorgeous. You make a stomach bug sing.

Sarcastic Bastard said...

Maggie,
I have been reading Nie's blog and the articles since you introduced me to her. I think the reporter did one hell of a job.

I hope you are feeling better.

Love, SB.

Evangeline said...

We have had flu here too. Just the kiddies, us adults are hanging on with obsessive handwashing, vitamin D and large glasses of brandy. Hope you are well soon.

Ever Elizabeth is such a beautiful name.

Mwa said...

My father used to take us out in the rain to walk as well. I still love it.

Phoenix said...

Boo for stomach virus...yay for rain.

I swear, sometimes it feels like we should know each other. I, too, grew up fearing my father, who physically violated me in more ways than one. I used to sneak out to the car when it was raining and curl up inside it and listen to the rain beat down on the tin roof and feel more safe than I had ever felt under the same roof as that man.

I hope and pray that one day your Ever finds a way back into your life and blesses you with her laughter.

krista said...

ever was on our short list. just sayin. great minds and all.

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