Motherhood

One Molecule at a Time

February 8, 2024

I ask, “Watch the movie or read the book? Which one do you prefer doing first?” Imogen replies without hesitating, “Read the book.” Then she adds, “Unless the book is based on

Faith·Motherhood·Womanhood

Silence and Slow

January 10, 2024

The other day, I listened to a podcast conversation between Fr Mike Schmitz and Matt Fradd. Matt said something like, “I’ve been telling people I went to Sydney to give some talks,

Motherhood

Mother Joy

May 15, 2023

We ordered egg and bacon rolls and coffee for six – Andy and I and four of our grown-up kids – then took our food to the empty food court – the

Faith·Marriage·Motherhood·Womanhood

Adorn

May 12, 2023

A parcel from my favourite clothes shop – Karma East – drops in my letterbox. Tearing it open, I reveal a print fabric bag that conceals a vibrant dress that delights my

Motherhood

All Over Again

January 3, 2021

On the second last day of the year Gemma-Rose invites Andy and me to have breakfast with her. We drive into town to a favourite cafe where, after scanning the QR code

Life·Motherhood

The Final Word

July 17, 2020

As Kerri fastens a voluptuous black cape around my neck, she tells me that I’m her first client since she returned from maternity leave. I feel fortunate. I like my hairdresser, and

Life·Motherhood

Zero Birthday

May 4, 2020

My daughter Imogen and I are standing in front of the birthday candle display in the supermarket. “Which ones would you like, Mum?” I look at the boxes that each contain 12 candles,

Grief·Motherhood

Mother

April 15, 2020

I let my book drop from my hand to my lap: I’m too tired to read. Instead, I let my thoughts wander lazily around my mind. My eyes roam around the room.

Motherhood·Womanhood

The Shaming Things People Say

July 9, 2018

She was so fat she couldn’t fit into a telephone box. How could anyone be that big? It didn’t seem possible. But it was. It was common knowledge. How did she feel?

Faith·Grief·Motherhood

The Extraordinary Ordinary Things of Life

February 26, 2016

I’m at Thomas’ wake. I have his memory box on my knee, and I take out a few photos and pass them to a friend. “He was a chubby baby!” she exclaims.

Faith·Grief·Motherhood

My Starring Role

January 18, 2016

Years ago, I was Marcia Brady and I had two younger sisters, Jan and Cindy. It was the seventies and we were children and we all pretended we were Brady Bunch girls.

Faith·Grief·Motherhood

Just in Case

June 12, 2013

My husband Andy and I didn’t make many preparations for our sixth baby’s birth. We decided not to sort out the baby equipment or the clothes we had packed away from previous

Faith·Grief·Motherhood

How Many Children Do You Have? (Part 4)

February 2, 2013

We wanted a large family. Felicity was born, and within eighteen months she had a brother. Shortly after Duncan’s first birthday, we found out we were expecting another baby. Our family was

Faith·Grief·Motherhood

Remembering the Grieving Mothers

December 28, 2012

Mary and Joseph are curled up on the floor together with the child Jesus. They are trying to keep their eyes tightly closed. An angel in a long flowing gown appears through

My children’s novels

My unschooling books