On Sunday morning, I’d sit in a hard pew sandwiched between my two wavy-haired, lacy-socked sisters – passing notes about whether or not we thought our mother might let us stop for roast beef and milkshakes after service. We’d sing “Victory in Jesus” from red, dusty hymnals and I’d secretly pray to the Lord that Yolanda didn’t stand up during our benediction postlude to offer a testimony about how God had healed her third hernia that year. (She did, still, always because He did, still.) I grew up thinking I’d never been healed from anything, and that perhaps God didn’t hear me. Perhaps I wasn’t good enough.
On Monday afternoon, I’d swim up and down lane three, training with a group of boys who would joke about lighting trees on fire between sets. I’d roll my eyes, re-position my goggles and return to the quiet water where I contemplated why fire was so fascinating to them, and why Ryan looked at Melissa in that way, in the way no one looked at me. Perhaps I wasn’t pretty enough.
On Tuesday morning, I’d arrive in Geography class, weary and anxious. I was an A- student, but only because I knew how to play the game. Do your homework; keep your head down. Smile at the teacher. Memorize test answers, forget application. Be respectful. Move along to the next chapter, turn the page, quickly now. I grew tired. Perhaps I wasn’t smart enough.
On Wednesday evening, art class. Mrs. Beatrix would teach from her garage (or was it a spare room?), rows of easels and supplies lined in an odd mix of halfhearted order; slightly off-kilter. She clapped her aging hands twice to signal our beginning, and then, quiet. We worked in single strokes, slowly, methodically, and I hoped that by mimicking Mrs. Beatrix’s pace, I could churn out a perfect portrait. Still, my work was mediocre, like the room’s easels were aligned: slightly off-kilter. Perhaps I wasn’t creative enough.
One Thursday morning, two decades later, I take Bee to her Chinese lesson. Her teacher greets me in a uniform of comfort – wide smile, purple sweatpants. We hug and exchange a few words; I give her the snack I packed – berries and an avocado. I thank her and leave, the glass door closing softly behind me. I face a two hour window of productivity before I am expected to return, readily greeted with a plethora of new Mandarin words seared into Bee’s vocabulary. A pressure creeps from my large to do list as I rush to the car. Perhaps I won’t accomplish enough.
Friday night now. I glance at the menu, a rare date night with Ken. We talk about work, and life, and schedules, and we dance around subjects as we people-watch and study expressions, scanning the room, observing relationships. Our forks clink our plates and there is silence for a bit. A thought arises, but I swallow it with my dinner salad: perhaps I will never be enough.
But then, a Saturday afternoon. Years ago, when I lived in Los Angeles. There was a man on the beach, one whose eyes told stories of not enough; one whose soul spoke of life and loss. The ocean was his bath; the sidewalk his bed. Want to split a sandwich, I ask?
No thanks, Ma’am. I’ve enough.
And again, on a Sunday morning. In a hard metal chair, at a church service in a preschool gym. My dress flowered, my blush pink. A verse read aloud: Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Today, Wednesday. It is dark, and snowy, and the air hauntingly crisp. Bee and I take a walk in our neighborhood, and we see enough, and better, and more. And I think of the man on the beach, with his numbered hairs, who had enough. Who had more, because he understood something I didn’t.
We walk along, and I think – high above – we have heard sparrows.
Oh Erin, this touched me. To tears. What is with that “not enough” feeling? Here I am, a woman with a husband and child I adore, a great house, a great job, my health, awesome hair…and still I remember so vividly those feelings of Not Enough, and am now realizing I still have them. You are enough – of everything – friend. So am I.
thank you sweet jamie. amen for enough. ;)
Erin, I have been reading your blog for a while now and I always enjoy the way you combine the words and the emotions, so beautifully and seamlessly and so real. Bless you for mirroring my truth. Take care :)
oh irene, that is such a kind comment to receive. thank you, thank you, thank you.
Yes. Thank you.
hugs! :)
So beautiful Erin!
thank you for the encouragement, tara!
This is truly great. Thank you for sharing!
thanks for reading, hannah!
Oh, Erin. I needed this. I’m feeling like I won’t be a good mom of two; I’m 37 weeks and freaking out. You’ve reminded me of a very strong truth, though. Thank you, from halfway around the world!
Oh love. You will be precisely what those littles need if you remember this truth. :) Love to you, friend!
this space is my safe corner of the internet. Without having ever met me, you seem to understand the tangled thoughts in my head and heart. Your words are so beautiful, thoughtful, and genuine.
Thank you sweet Jess – I so appreciate the kind words!
I didn’t even know how much I needed this beautiful post until I realized the tears it brought relieved the mind-numbing sinus pressure I had been struggling with for close to a week. Beyond cathartic. Your words always touch me in a way I never expect but most definitely need.
Endless gratitude.
Oh Heather – bless you! Thank you for your kind encouragement.
Oh Erin… you’ve done it again!! Beautifully written and so hitting home for me. Thank you. :)
Oh Amy, thank you!
At first a tinge of sadness in this but as I read along I hoped that the final lesson would be positive…kids have a way of doing that for us. You are an amazing writer…certainly good “enough” with words.
Oh Diane, you are so kind. Thank you. :)
amen to all of this. xo.
thank you karen. :)
This is so lovely. Thank you so much for sharing these stories and words of assurance!
You’re welcome – thank you for the encouragement! :)
Erin, your writing gives me chills and stops me in my tracks. Every single freaking time. Please don’t stop telling your stories.
And can someone please give this woman a crazy-lucrative book deal STAT?
Oh Tiffany – thank you for being such a sweet spirit!!!!
Hey Erin! This is so beautiful, a bit sad, but still kinda fun. The mood reminds me of Sofia Coppola’s movies a bit. It’d be nice to have a book full of such short stories, meaning nothing and reminding of everything. I just discovered your blog recently and am absolutely in love with both your design and writing style.
Oh Madeleine – thank you so much!
Erin, this is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Tanya. :)
Beautiful. I have been asking that question “good enough?” while my husband asks “how to let this be enough? – content.” Thanks for expressing through your walk in life, the feelings of my heart and the truth that has been there all along. “And it was good.”
Oh I love your husband’s question!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing, Wendy!
tears. I found your blog years ago, but admit haven’t read blogs in a bit. Shallow as it is on my part, I have always remembered you because I think you are so stunningly beautiful- in that way that we all want to be. Tonight, I’ve read your words and taken so many to heart and this post…this one brought me to tears and makes me search deeper, not only to myself, but in my thoughts of my own daughter. Anyway… I am stumbling over my words, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your thoughts and your feelings and being so very real.
Oh Candy – what a kind comment to receive. Thank you for your encouragement. :)