Pockets
and adult-kids
pockets of grace
With smoller nephew’s arrival four weeks ago, we are nearly at the end of a three-week overlapping visit with family of 婆婆公公 and two 舅父s. Amidst the poopy diapers, the best conversations we’ve had was in the pockets of time—in a cab, on the train, on a walk. Side by side. Ideally with bubble tea in hand. These are the in-between moments we treasure and long for, but never want to presume will happen. It is in these pockets where we extend compassion, where we offer forgiveness, where we know we belong. It is where we find grace. Family has taught me that love is as simple as duty and delight, and as complex as everything in between. For a multi-timezone family with our own individual heartaches and hopes, I’m really really proud of us. And I think Jesus is too 🥲
pocket art
The uncles are in town! One bought smol nephew the tiniest etch-a-sketch. The 22-month-old generally prefers his doodle pad, but we adult-kids are obsessed. It keeps us entertained for hours. Enjoy our pocket art gallery:
pocketing goals
I’m not exactly sure how my mom convinced my dad that our family needed a foosball table back in the early 00s, but it became our daily pastime for years. The other day we found this rooftop one. Smol nephew was appointed to be our official ball keeper, and the four adult-kids automatically formed one of our childhood team pairings of Middle Children vs. First-Born-and-Caboose. The Shang sibs are competitive. Personally, I don’t mind losing. I just really really like winning 😏 One of my siblings who shall remain nameless (hi david 🤭), hates losing. I like how Jesus is refining each of us one degree of glory to the next, and yet some things, like the sweet taste of victory, will never change hehe:
pockets of here and there
happy fortieth Monday in a row of this little newsletter! Even in the squishiest of weeks, I love showing up for this creative outlet. It fuels me. To carve out pockets of here and there, whittling away to write nonsense until it is less nonsense. It makes it even more sweet the fact that you all actually enjoy reading it! Thank you, thank you!
Ever wondered what the difference is between aunties and uncles? My current answer is: seatbelts. I rest my case:
love,
reb