The Tiniest Nest

photo 1

This morning, barefoot and in my sweats, I waved Joaquin goodbye as he went off to school. I happened to look down from where I stood and there, right in front of my toes, was the tiniest bird’s nest I’ve ever seen. I gently swooped up the little nest no bigger than a plum, and held it carefully in my hand. It may seem a funny thing that this nest could have given me such a wave of inspiration, but it did. Somehow, this weightless work of nature made me think of so many moments in the last three months of my life, and made me want to write them all down. My life since August, my life as a mother of two children, has been somewhat indescribable. The ups and downs of delivering a premature and sick baby who was so small, so fragile, so exposed. The relief that she has grown so healthy and so strong. The attention to every detail, the dedication, the exhaustion, the emotion, the vulnerability, the love, the work it takes to be a mother. The beauty of it all.

photo 3

I haven’t written in a long time. Life and circumstances haven’t exactly allowed me the space to do so. But, this morning I was moved to start writing again. As I examined the intricacy of every thread, hair, and soft twig, I was inspired to continue crafting and piecing together stories of my life, perfect or imperfect, just as this sweet bird so carefully pieced together her nest without hesitation, without over thinking it, and yet did so with pure and total grace. The nest now sits on our mantle, and will serve as a reminder that life, family, home, and experiences are built one small story at a time. To savor and write those stories down now and again, is a beautiful thing.

What is a memory you have that you want to keep close to your heart, as a piece of your life story? Can you take a minute to write it down today?

photo 2

  11 comments for “The Tiniest Nest

  1. Andy
    November 13, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Beautiful, Molly! The nest was a gift.. You have to know that. :)

    • Molly Berry
      November 16, 2014 at 10:18 pm

      I definitely agree with you, Andy. There is something extra special about it…and so it will stay on our mantle:)

  2. Maria
    November 13, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    This is beautiful Molly, thank you for sharing…and keep writing… I missed your posts <3

    • Molly Berry
      November 16, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      Thank you so much, Maria! It is so nice to be encouraged to continue writing and to know that you’re reading!

  3. Momma
    November 13, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Dear Molly,
    What a gift ( as Andy has said ) to remind us always of all the good in our lives…..and how we must work just as diligently as this little bird to achieve all that is meaningful to us. Thank you for this post! I Love you!

    • Molly Berry
      November 16, 2014 at 10:22 pm

      This nest made me think of you right away mama! It looks like it belongs in your house:) And, I’ve since learned that it is a hummingbird’s nest, built by the female and then finished (all the outside pieces and parts) by the male. Such hard work and love to make a home that is meaningful to us!

  4. Marie Andree Soundy
    November 13, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Dear Molly, Juan, Joaquin and baby,

    Congratulations again on your new addition! I enjoyed your post dearly… Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of motherhood and family. Keep writing!! Un abrazo muy fuerte desde Casco, que los extraña mucho…

    • Molly Berry
      November 16, 2014 at 10:25 pm

      Hi Marie! I love reading your comment, it makes me so happy to know that you’re still reading:) After a long three months of ups and downs, Juan, Joaquin, and I are doing very well. We are all just in pure love with our newest, amazing & lovely addition Hazel Moon Bronson. She is such a beautiful gift and a VERY good, happy baby. I can’t wait for you to meet her one day soon. Missing ALL of you in Casco so very much. Please send my love to your family. Hope to see you here in Guate soon!! xx

  5. Sabrina
    November 14, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Yes, yes, and yes! The words and the pictures you posted are both gifts. Some of mine:

    Coming home tonight to a note that says Cyrus is a gift to his community.
    Falling asleep last night in a freezing cold room but piled high with down blankets.
    The orange sherbet color of the sky at sunset.
    Seeing the pride of a 1st grader that just lost a tooth and a Kindergartner that is reading their very first words.

    These are the things I want to keep close to my heart.

    • Molly Berry
      November 16, 2014 at 10:34 pm

      Sabrina, it makes me SO HAPPY that you wrote these down and shared them with me. I love to read them. I love to know that they are so special to you. I also think to myself that the memories we have will always change and evolve the farther we are from them…but by writing them just as they are in that moment is such a special thing to give our future selves. I am so excited for you to get here so that we can create more of these special moments! xx

  6. Gabriela
    November 18, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    Beautiful Molly!! Thank you for sharing your incredible stories.

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