Oh Sarah, we absolutely see you, we know you and you have made a beautiful life out of ‘All Your No Small Things’ you are a joy and a gift to us. Love Mum and Dad
Whooooo this hit me hard in the best possible way. It brought me to tears. Your words give me hope and remind me that the small things -- which are no small thing at all -- that I do every day for those I love -- the family I love, the neighbors I love, the church I love -- are all worth it and will last in the end. That's no small thing at all. Thank you.
This is so beautiful and so timely. It really is no small thing to show up for ourselves, our kids, our neighbors, our friends. Post election week was so hard for me and yet my pre teens carried on and asked questions and humored me as a played what they call “my sad music” My 12 year old said the day after “there goes Americas decency” and I firmly reminded her that we are America’s decency. That it really is no small thing to be kind. And while I wonder if that will be enough, this essay is a beautiful reminder that YES it is. (also your paragraph about church-exactly the words of my heart most Sundays)❤️
Okay, so this essay and others like it is why I finally decided to subscribe to your site. Thank you for these words that brought tears to my old eyes. My kids are grown and gone and I am the Oma who bakes cakes and makes casseroles, but also loses hope too often in these horrible times.
Much of the reason I have continued with some things in my life is because I need the comfort of routine. So much that is happening cannot be compartmentalized into memes. I have to keep praying--although admittedly sometimes that is more just sitting in silence because I just can't find the words. No mountains to gaze at here in south central Kansas, so I settle for cloud gazing on sunny days, and scrolling social media photography sites when inclimate weather hems me in. But it truly is "the small action verbs" that keep my feet moving forward and my eyes looking upwards.
By the way-someday others WILL know about the love, the care, the affirmative bonding that your kids were raised with, because of the adults they will become.
Hi - not sure where in south central Kansas you are, but I used to live in Kansas. The fog settling into the valleys of the Flint Hills still takes my breath away at the memory of it!
I think this is the answer to what we keep asking over and over: What now? "It’s no small thing to decide that you will keep caring. It is no small thing to keep showing up for the ones who need you to show up. It’s no small thing to do the work that is yours to do today." Doing what is ours.
Phew! I just wanted to highlight all of this. But this part: "I read once that having an emotionally-regulated parent is one of the most unsung privileges of our age. I think that’s true: to grow up in a stable, loving home without fear or egg-shell-walking or yelling, no need for masking needs or feeling shame for accommodations, is no small thing, especially for neurodivergent kids." I felt that in my soul. It's exhausting being the emotionally-regulated parent, but it is certainly no small thing for those kids.
17 years ago we lived in a Ronald McDonald house for a month while our newborn son struggled to stay alive in a nearby NICU. We were hours from home and we ate the meals prepared for us by others almost nightly when we returned to the house after a long day at the hospital. We will never forget that kindness and how it was just one less thing to worry about in the midst of days filled with questions and anxiety. The little things we do for others matter so much.
Oh Sarah, we absolutely see you, we know you and you have made a beautiful life out of ‘All Your No Small Things’ you are a joy and a gift to us. Love Mum and Dad
You two raised a beautiful soul. Thank you
Whooooo this hit me hard in the best possible way. It brought me to tears. Your words give me hope and remind me that the small things -- which are no small thing at all -- that I do every day for those I love -- the family I love, the neighbors I love, the church I love -- are all worth it and will last in the end. That's no small thing at all. Thank you.
This is so beautiful and so timely. It really is no small thing to show up for ourselves, our kids, our neighbors, our friends. Post election week was so hard for me and yet my pre teens carried on and asked questions and humored me as a played what they call “my sad music” My 12 year old said the day after “there goes Americas decency” and I firmly reminded her that we are America’s decency. That it really is no small thing to be kind. And while I wonder if that will be enough, this essay is a beautiful reminder that YES it is. (also your paragraph about church-exactly the words of my heart most Sundays)❤️
"We are America's decency." I'll be clinging to that!
❤️
No small thing indeed. I read this, and I wept. Thank you for your words to help us keep going.
Okay, so this essay and others like it is why I finally decided to subscribe to your site. Thank you for these words that brought tears to my old eyes. My kids are grown and gone and I am the Oma who bakes cakes and makes casseroles, but also loses hope too often in these horrible times.
I also came here to say that this piece inspired me to subscribe. 💛
A stunning piece of resistance and hope. Thank you
Much of the reason I have continued with some things in my life is because I need the comfort of routine. So much that is happening cannot be compartmentalized into memes. I have to keep praying--although admittedly sometimes that is more just sitting in silence because I just can't find the words. No mountains to gaze at here in south central Kansas, so I settle for cloud gazing on sunny days, and scrolling social media photography sites when inclimate weather hems me in. But it truly is "the small action verbs" that keep my feet moving forward and my eyes looking upwards.
By the way-someday others WILL know about the love, the care, the affirmative bonding that your kids were raised with, because of the adults they will become.
Hi - not sure where in south central Kansas you are, but I used to live in Kansas. The fog settling into the valleys of the Flint Hills still takes my breath away at the memory of it!
Crying in car pick up line.
I needed this. Thank you so much for your words. They are the opposite of a small thing❤️
Just. Thank you.
This warmed my heart and moved me deeply. The way you write about the snow and the everyday and your family - felt like a big warm hug.
The best answer to ”why church matters” is right here. Thank you kindly.
Yes. This. All of it.
I think this is the answer to what we keep asking over and over: What now? "It’s no small thing to decide that you will keep caring. It is no small thing to keep showing up for the ones who need you to show up. It’s no small thing to do the work that is yours to do today." Doing what is ours.
Phew! I just wanted to highlight all of this. But this part: "I read once that having an emotionally-regulated parent is one of the most unsung privileges of our age. I think that’s true: to grow up in a stable, loving home without fear or egg-shell-walking or yelling, no need for masking needs or feeling shame for accommodations, is no small thing, especially for neurodivergent kids." I felt that in my soul. It's exhausting being the emotionally-regulated parent, but it is certainly no small thing for those kids.
This was a balm to my soul. Thank you so much, Sarah. It helps so much to keep me going. It is no small thing...
17 years ago we lived in a Ronald McDonald house for a month while our newborn son struggled to stay alive in a nearby NICU. We were hours from home and we ate the meals prepared for us by others almost nightly when we returned to the house after a long day at the hospital. We will never forget that kindness and how it was just one less thing to worry about in the midst of days filled with questions and anxiety. The little things we do for others matter so much.
Oh, my stars, Anne, thank you for sharing that! I'm so sorry to hear that it was necessary but glad you were met with kindness in that moment.