This week’s invitation to “Share our Stories” is writing from a definition. I chose my One Little Word embrace.
Embrace: to clasp in arms: hug. The very thing taken away from us this strange pandemic year. The value of a simple hug has grown. Nothing is taken for granted.
Embrace: encircle, welcome. While I do not welcome an insidious virus, I do welcome the quiet reflection that comes with alone time.
Embrace: acceptance. This one has proven hardest of all. I am easily angered by the rising numbers. I have a hard time accepting screens over face to face. I also miss my children, and that is hard to accept.
Embrace implies gathering of separate things within a whole. Last month after careful planning and quarantine, we had an intimate family wedding in which we gathered another family into our whole. It was a beautiful wedding for my youngest daughter. Not the one she wanted, but the one we embraced.
Embracing this year has proven more challenging than ever. I still love the word. Etymology of the word comes from en+brace meaning a pair of arms. The blessings of my life abound. I hold within my figurative arms a healthy family that continues to grow. Soon I will embrace another grandchild. Soon we all will embrace a vaccine. Soon our country will embrace a new leader. We have much to embrace. May we all embrace Love!
Reflections on the Teche 
Thank you for this reflection. Thank you for continuing to contemplate this word, this embrace, even during a time that might make us want to hide from it.
Lovely post, Margaret. Thank you for sharing, and yes, while there is still much sadness and frustration in the world, we have much to look forward to, much to embrace.
OLWs have power. They aren’t always easy to follow and when we do, their power becomes even more visible. I enjoyed reading how you consider teh multiple facets of embrace.
I will never see this word the same way again. I love the ways you are living your OLW in this challenging year.
So very beautiful and powerful.
This is beautifully written, Margaret.
Oh my, did I need to read this today— sending this to my sister because she has a daughter who is hopefully getting married that needs to read this. I also loved it when you said, “I do welcome the quiet reflection that comes with alone time.” I love my alone time so much and this season finally getting solid moments to reflect and listen to God intently. XO nanc
Wow, your reflection is spot on. Love the power of three in your final paragraph with those three “Soons.” Glad your new granddaughter’s here. And it won’t be long until we can check off the next two soons. Keep embracing and accepting. Love will see us through.
Margaret,
I appreciated your reflection and insight. What a lovely etymology to embrace. I always admire the way you embrace your family.
Hugs (virtually),
Ruth