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January in Saskatchewan brings cold, clear days with hoar frost and ice crystals catching light in the air.

Twice, I was very pregnant in Advent, and I thought a lot about how riding on a donkey might bring on labour. With each month of pregnancy, babies occupied more of my body – as well as my mind and heart. And with birth, these little people become literal parts of my body and soul existing in the world distinct from me.

Over the summer, I wrestled my way through a nasty case of pneumonia. As a life-long asthmatic, I have lots of experience with lung infections and trouble. Into the fall, my lungs were still struggling. The acute crisis had passed, I rested, and now it was time to do the work: eat, move and sleep for my lungs.

I suppose it is not a surprise to say that a writer loves words. Thinks words are powerful and important. Spends minutes and hours thinking up just the right way to express feelings and ideas with words.

The etymology of tending is from the Latin “tendere” to stretch, in a certain direction. What a fabulous way to think about the way we care!