empty rocking chair March 21, 2007

2 weeks and counting. I wouldn’t classify myself as one of those moms who is saying, get this baby out of me! I have found myself twiddling my thumbs a little bit, not out of boredom for there is plenty to be done around the hage household, but in excitement and anticipation (okay that and I’m lacking the motivation to do a few things). and I’ve had to close the baby’s room door otherwise I go in there and stare at everything, as if just by looking maybe labor will start and the baby will magically appear.

The saddest thing of all to me is the empty rocking chair though. It is crying out for someone to sit in it, which I do at times, with a baby to comfort and care for. Sitting in that rocking chair with my child is what I look forward to most.

So what does Katey Hage do now that she is not working at the church? Hmmm, part of me wants to say nothing, and part of me wants to list the billion things on my to-do list. Between doctors appointments, training people in my old jobs (which is now complete), cleaning the house for the first time in months- that one is a work in progress, painting the entire inside of our house- nesting is what that is called, beginning my writing career :), becoming Hage Creative office administrator, assisting my folks with their non-profit, and finally cooking real meals for my hard working hubby (first time in 8 months)- I have found that my mornings start slow, my afternoons need a nap, and my evenings are found resting with my feet up and a book in hand. Yeah, I’m spoiled. I’m saving these memories for the day when I have 3 kids running around, the phone ringing off the hook, laundry piled high and dishes overflowing the sink. I know I will look back with fondness, but right now all I want is to use my new rocking chair!

the first draft March 15, 2007

I’ve been avoiding this for too long. I finally sat down at the kitchen table (my new work desk) to write the first draft of the my first children’s book which may or may not ever get published. The background to this book: my pastor once shared a story about a little girl (who will remain anonymous for now), who told her parents at the dinner table one night that her friends and her were laughing about the shape of her eyes at lunch. It was a difficult moment for the parents, trying to decide whether or not to tell their daughter, her friends were laughing AT her and not WITH her. When I heard this story, I was moved to tears, and challenged to consider the ways I as a teacher and mentor of children can teach them how to love and respect the differences they see in each other. Including the shape and color of all our eyes. I decided this is the first book I must write, even if I only share it the children of friends and family, that would encourage children to see the beauty of God’s creation in themselves and each other from a very young age. I’d love your thoughts and feed back (constructive criticism welcome). And if you’ve read this somewhere already, please tell me…maybe someone else had the same idea.

ALL OUR EYES

Look in a mirror. What do you see?

A nose. A mouth. Two ears.

And my favorite part of all. Your eyes.

Every person is different.

No nose is the same. No mouth is the same. No ears are the same.

And nobody but you has your eyes.

Your eyes are beautiful. Just the way God made them- especially for you.

Look around you. What kind of eyes do you see?

Some people have bright blue eyes. Some people have deep brown eyes.

Some are green. Some are gray.

Some are big and round, others are not.

Almond shaped eyes. Wide eyes. Narrow eyes.

Old eyes. Young eyes. Happy eyes. Sad eyes.

So many different eyes!

If you see someone with different eyes than you,

What do you say?

Wow! Your eyes are beautiful. Just the way God made them- especially for you.

Every person is different.

No nose is the same. No mouth is the same. No ears are the same.

And nobody but you has your eyes.

 

i have a dream March 8, 2007

I have a dream…it began about one year ago as I was looking around for good books for my preschool sunday school classes. I wanted engaging bible stories that kids would fall in love with as they have Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle books, ‘dinosaur stomp’, curious george, ‘chicka chicka boom boom’ and the likes. I wanted bible stories written so that teachers could read them to young kids in one sitting (not 20 minutes long) and then children could read them to each other, and kids could fall in love with the pictures and story and read it themselves (as my two year old nephew has taught himself to do) over and over and over. And little would they know- while reading their ‘favorite’ stories they would be falling in love with stories from God’s Holy Word. True, living, breathing stories of men and women of faith!

So as I was dreaming about these magical books, I thought to myself, maybe if I can’t find them out there, or I never meet someone who knows where I can find them, then maybe I should write them myself! So that is what I am going to attempt to do over my life time. Write these books. I will need all the help and encouragement I can get, but it is something I do seriously desire to pursue.

I spoke with a friend who said it took her 10 years to finally start writing something that she felt she was supposed to write. And when she finally began writing she wondered why she waited so long. I’ve never considered myself a writer- quite the opposite in fact- but this desire to create is something that won’t go away and if I don’t at least try- I may always wonder.

Who knows? Maybe one day my own children’s library will be filled with books that “mommy” has written, but never got published? Or maybe they will be books to inspire other creative writers and illustrators to do the same, and children all over the world (okay, maybe just the northwest…) will be able to enjoy?

One small problem- I don’t illustrate. If you are reading this and know someone who can illustrate and might be interested in something like this- would you send them my way?