So I used to have a blog. Years ago (pre-kids and while teaching and getting my master's), I began a blog entitled "Amusing Myself." At first I posted fairly regularly, by which I mean at least once a month-ish. The idea was that I would write about things I found amusing, not really caring whether or not anyone else found them to be remotely entertaining. After I had kids, the tone seemed to change a bit as I pondered the grander things in life. [Let's be honest - it's not hard to ponder something grander than what order to eat my Skittles in or what go-go-Gadget devices I wish I had at my disposal - both subjects of previous posts.] After a rather long and unintentional hiatus from blogging, I felt inspired to write something and returned to log in to my account. It was at that point that I realized what an idiot I am when it comes to technology (or, at least, what an idiot I was in 2007). Working for a school district at the time, I unwittingly used my work e-mail address as the address linked to my blog. I know, what was I thinking? Now that I no longer work for the district, I no longer have access to that e-mail address, and thus can no longer post on Amusing Myself. RIP, old blog. Hello, new blog!
There was only one problem.
I needed a new blog address. Apparently I'm not as original as I would like to think. For the first blog, I immediately thought of the title and it was available - a no-brainer. This time around, I've either become less creative or everyone and their grandmother has decided to start blogging, because I've had quite the time coming up with a blog address that didn't already exist.
Attempt #1: Heart On My Sleeve. No surprise here that this was unavailable. I thought of that one on a day when I was all swept up in the grandeur of motherhood and thinking about how true it really is that being a mother is like walking around with your heart outside of your body. Then I thought about what an open book I am (some might say I'm an 'over-sharer,' but hey, that's the way I've always been and there's no going back now) and thought the title could serve a dual purpose: a blog about motherhood from my perspective and a statement about how I tend to live my life. But again, unoriginal, and therefore, taken.
Attempt #2: Rest in Peace. I know what you're thinking and, no, this was not to be a blog devoted to remembering those I've lost or anything depressing like that. On a recent trip to San Francisco, Krister and I had the opportunity to walk the labyrinth at the Grace Cathedral. The sun was setting outside the cathedral walls, and as the stain glass windows slowly lost their colors we stood in line with a collection of strangers and listened to the music created by the Tibetan bowls being played by a man who sat on the floor next to the labyrinth. The lowest notes rung out through the air and reverberated within our chests. We removed our shoes and felt the cool of the stone floor beneath our feet as we walked the path in silence. It was all very Buddhist feeling (I actually know next to nothing about Buddhism, but it felt like what I picture that would feel like) and sensory. It was only my second time to walk a labyrinth, and I hope it's not my last. I won't be an over-sharer here and divulge every thought I had while walking the labyrinth, but I did have a thought that led to this idea for a blog title. As I meditated on peace during part of the walk, I was struck by our use of the phrase "rest in peace" for those who have died. It occurred to me that I don't want to wait until I'm dead to rest in peace! I want peace and rest and resting in peace to be a part of the rhythm of my daily life. I later became excited as I thought about creating a blog devoted to Sabbath practices, which have been on the brain lately, and peace in all senses of the word. See? I told you I was feeling very Buddhist that day. But alas, that title has been taken as well. On multiple blogging sites. While I haven't given up on Sabbath or peace as a result, I was forced to hold off on my musings until I could find a blog address of my very own.
Third time's the charm! On my third attempt, I found a blog address that hadn't been taken. Of course it hadn't been taken, you may be thinking. (At least that's what my husband said when I excitedly reported the news to him.) So why 'Hugs and Breakfast,' apart from the fact that it was available? Here is the riveting tale of how I arrived at this title.
A few mornings ago I stood at the kitchen sink before sunrise trying to get breakfast ready for my two young daughters. My youngest, Parker, is eighteen months old and was beside herself that I couldn't hold her and make her breakfast at the same time. (I've actually done that on several occasions, but as every mother knows, not the most efficient way to get things done.) After I had fed the girls and washed the berry jelly off of Parker's hands and face, I held her for a few moments in the kitchen for an after-breakfast snuggle. Marin (my three-year-old) walked up and remarked on the fact that her sister was no longer crying. "Yes," I responded, "I guess all she needed was some hugs and breakfast." Then I thought, "Isn't that all any of us really need?" As I had a little moment picturing how great the world would be if everyone had enough hugs and breakfast (recipe for world peace?), Marin paced the kitchen saying, "Hmmm. I like that - hugs and breakfast. Hugs and breakfast."
And so a new blog title was born. Here's to hoping everyone out there gets plenty of both tomorrow morning.
