Stretched

stretched
skin and body
as life grows in the space between my heart and hips.
stretched
mind to envision
a person evidenced by my protruding belly.
stretched
time counting
as months became weeks became days.

yet the stretching has hardly commenced.

those who have walked a step ahead speak of

stretched bodies longing for sleep,

stretched arms aching with the holding,

and stretched hours of unceasing cries.

yet their stretched smiles hardly contain the joy

and stretched hearts overflow with deepened love.

photographer: the lovely heather mavel

 like the physical marks i'm beginning to wear

as evidence,

i never requested stretching.

though it comes as no surprise that

love requires expansion

at least of heart and soul

if not of body.
and for this life and love,
i am willing.

-e.m.ott

2011

hope still

i talked with my dear japanese friend the other night. 

when she called the miles across the continent and the ocean between us disappeared as we connected.  she asked about my pregnancy and we shared about work, marriage and children. 

a kindred spirit she is indeed - a friend many years beyond living and working in the same town still knows the things i love and eagerly relates them to me.  she possesses a depth of character that challenges me still and a simple trust in Jesus and ear to hear His voice that reminds me to keep listening.

as the night drew later, and my 9 month pregnant body began to long for sleep, we prayed together.  when she prayed for scott and me and our little baby, she said something that i won't easily forget.  she thanked God for this little life within my womb, and then she went on to thank Him for continuing to give life as as sign that He still has hope.  hope in the people of this world - in us- that He hasn't given up on us.  

even amidst all the muck and despair that surround, hope and new life remain.  my own growing belly testifies that new souls are still being given breath.

and that yes, indeed, there is hope still.