Uncategorized
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Keeping
It’s a rectangle table in the middle of the bustling Irish pub. Centered between the Oscar Wilde quote on the wall and the live music, we crane inward and read lips to carry the conversation over the volume and activity. The air is punctuated with claps and shouts as the clientele jumps in on the Continue reading
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Cutting
Haircuts give me anxiety. Before continuing, let me caveat with some of the positives in the whole experience. First, no more split ends. I can run my fingers through my hair without hitting a single snag. It’s delightful. Second, someone else styles my hair, so for at least one glorious moment it looks great. Third, someone else washes Continue reading
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Listening
Your confidences are weights Burdens I gladly accept One by one Altering my movements Changing my focus Dragging me, at times downward. To take things would normally be selfish And in some ways this is. My own needs being met In the fulfilling of yours. So I pack and place Shifting and shoving Trying to Continue reading
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Connecting
Separate but connected They draw us in Purporting to push us out. All so simple and seemingly harmless, The ties that bind us Formed on invisible networks. We condense conversations into bits, Passing notes without paper. Words of our hearts made more manageable By allowing our fingers to speak for us. I begrudge the realness Continue reading
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Shocking
I never thought I could have so much fun Telling people about books I haven’t read. An impromptu never-have-I-ever game That I play with impish delight. I think I’ll miss it. Continue reading
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Trying
College doesn’t cut it when it comes to this. My grades may have been good but what good are those A’s when suddenly you’re the adult she trusts? They don’t teach you the answers for when she comes to your classroom and tells you she doesn’t know where God is. How do you respond when her Continue reading
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Storing
The containers of my past You asked a question And opened a box Maybe you thought it was this one in front Or somewhere in the middle At least, that was my impression. Turns out you chose the dusty one in back I try to forget about it Ignoring even when I organize and tidy. Continue reading
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Endearing
A circle around the stove Watching the water boil Who knew there were so many ways to eat ramen. I wore the sweater that was too large Because it was broken in and warm like the kitchen. And you smirked Because I eat noodles like an Italian. Continue reading
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Celebrating
I adore visiting my grandparents house. Especially at Christmastime. Everything about that two-storied structure, built by my grandpa, communicates warmth and love. As I sit tonight, I think about what happens within these walls each year, how we go through the same happy routine. There’s the room paneled in pine, where we all congregate the evening Continue reading
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Homecoming
Tell us about what home meant to you this year. Home is a moving target. It used to be simple, calling someplace home, because that always meant the small, unassuming house in Michigan, with the extra-large kitchen and a multitude of siblings. But home is other places too. Home is Grand Rapids, sharing a room with Continue reading
About Me
I’m Stephanie – a perpetual student and aspiring hobbit. I love language, literature, and theology. I’m happiest when surrounded with good food, good company, and things that grow.
Beautiful Dust 