You Hem Me In

Mummy, I’m bored.

Our friends are arriving soon. Ezi’s coming.

I don’t want Ezi.

Now, darling. You love playing with Ezi.

No.

Reuben, you’ll do good sharing, won’t you?

No.

Wug.

Oh dear. Rose has been a bit sick.

It’s on your jumper.

I’ll just put you down, Rose.

Uhu uhu uh aaa aaaaaaaah.

Don’t cry, I’m just…

Whaaaaaaaah uhaaaaaaaah uhaaaaaaaaaaah.

Okay, I won’t put you down. Where’s the muslin?

Doorbell

Mummy! Ezi’s here!

Rose, can I…?

Whaaahaaaaaa haahaaaaaa.

Mummy, open the door.

Can you say hello through the door, Reuben, while I get a…

Whhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Mummy, open the door!

Hello, Stella, do come in. Anna, what have you got there?

You have sick on your jumper.

Rose had a bit of an accident. These look lovely. Did you help Mummy to bake?

No.

She doesn’t like having sticky hands.

Reuben’s the same. Reuben? Are you hiding?

Where’s Ezi?

He’s coming, darling. Play with Anna for now.

No.

Let’s sit in the kitchen.

Mummy, you have sick on your jumper.

Yes, I know, darling. I’ll just wipe this…

I forgot my Bible.

I have spares. How are you, Stella?

I’m okay. I think. And you?

Tea, or would you prefer coffee?

I’m not drinking caffeine.

Of course. I have herbal teas somewhere...

Fennel?

Cranberry and passionfruit or this one is… three years out of date…

Cranberry is fine.

Now, if I can just put you down Rose…

Uhu uhu hu haaa waahaaaaaaaaaah.

Doorbell

Mummy, is that Ezi?

Shall we go and see?

Whaaaaaaaa haaaa haaaaaaa.

Shall I take Rose, Hannah?

She just wants me to hold her.

Ezi?

Hi Deborah, come in, come in… Hello Charlotte.

Miaow?

Miaow is… somewhere around...

Anna!

Sophie!

Miaow?

Mummy, where’s Ezi?

He’ll be here soon.

Sophie, come back here now. Have you asked if you can go upstairs?

Can we go upstairs, Hannah?

Yes. Why don’t you girls go and play in Maya’s room. It’s just up… I’ll show you…

Hi Stella, how are you?

I’m… quite tired.

Yes, it is tiring, isn’t it? How are your hips?

Sore.

I think they’re okay upstairs. Sophie jumped on Maya’s unicorns.

They’ll be fine.

How are you, Deborah? Tea? Or coffee?

I need coffee this morning. Did you bake Stella? You’re so good.

I haven’t even boiled the kettle yet. Rose won’t let me put her…

Uhu uhu uhuuuuaaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaa.

Miaow?

Miaow is a bit shy, Charlotte. I think she’s hiding.

Where’s Ezi?

He’s coming, darling. Be a big boy and show Charlotte the Duplo.

I want Ezi.

Reuben, why don’t you look after Charlotte for me? Show her all your trains.

They’re my trains.

Now, Reuben. You said you would do good sharing. Stella, here’s your herbal tea. Deborah, milk and no sugar?

One sugar. I downloaded some study notes.

I haven’t looked at anything.

I forgot my Bible. But I read it last night. It’s Psalm 136, isn’t it?

139.

I thought we said 136.

I haven’t read anything.

Miaow?

Reuben, did you show Charlotte the…

Doorbell

Is that Ezi?

Doorbell

Rose, if I can just put you…

Doorbell. Doorbell.

I’ll get it, Hannah.

It’s Ezi! Mummy, it’s Ezi! Growling.

Hello, sorry, he kept pressing… Ezekiel, stop it. Sorry, I’m late. I brought cake… Ezekiel!

Growling

Hello Reuben, that’s a good dinosaur face.

I’m a T-Rex.

Ezekiel, shoes!

It’s okay he can keep…

Ezekiel! Shoes right now or we go home. The cake’s in that bag… Micah’s done a…

Oh, lemon drizzle, lovely.

…colossal poo. As soon as I strapped him into the car. He’s been sitting in it the whole way. I had to keep the windows open. Can I use your…

Of course, it’s here. Reuben, why don’t you take Ezekiel into the living room and show him your new train.

It’s my train.

Now, Reuben, you’re going to share it with Ezi aren’t you? Becky, tea? Coffee?

Just a glass of water, thanks. Micah, you silly sausage…

Do you need anything?

I’ve got everything. Actually, are you making coffee?

No problem.

Miaow! Miaow! Mummy! Mummyyyyyyyyyy! Miaow!

Yes, Charlotte, it’s a cat.

Do you want to stroke her?

Miaow! Miaow!

Gently.

It’s MY train!

Boys, I hope you’re doing good sharing.

MY TRAIN!

Reuben! Am I going to have to take that train away from you?

Growling

Ezi, there are more trains.

I want that one.

Well, this one is a bit special because Reuben got it for his…

It’s MY train!

Reuben, what did we say? If you share nicely with Ezekiel, you can have an extra star.

I want that train.

Now boys. If you won’t play nicely, we’ll have to…

Miaow!

Gently, Charlotte.

Sorry about that. Micah’s all clean now. Where shall I put this?

Mama ammaamama

Just outside, if you don’t mind?

I can take it home.

No, no, outside the door is fine. I’ll put it out later.

I hope you’re playing nicely, Ezekiel? Reuben, is it okay if Micah plays with you too?

My train.

Micah can play with the Duplo.

Milk, Becky?

Yes please, no sugar. Stella… you look tired. How’s it going?

My hips are sore. 

How many weeks now?

28. I’m into the third trimester. It’s so stressful.

You’re into the home straight. What a relief.

Yes, it is a relief, after last time… I still…

Oh no, at 28 weeks you’ll be fine. You were okay with Anna?

Yes, but I’m four years older and…

Come on, you’re not…

Wug.

Oh Rose, not again.

Is she alright?

She’s burping up a lot today.

Miaow all gone.

Yes, the cat has finished eating and she’s gone to find some peace and quiet.

Miaow all gone.

Lucky thing.

Why don’t you play Duplo with Micah, Charlotte? 

Has everyone had a chance to read psalm 139?

I read 136.

Oh, well, that’s a good one too.

We can read 139 now, shall we?

I’ll get plates for the cake. Now Rose, if I can just put you…

Uhu uhu uhu hu hu hu haaaaa.

Sit down, Hannah. I’ll get them.

The girls are very quiet.

I’ll go and check on them. Come on Rose.

Miaow?

My train!

Mummy, Reuben isn’t sharing his toys.

Micah, what’s that in your mouth? 

Noooooooooo mamaaammaaaaaaaa.

Micah, you mustn’t put it in your mouth. Let’s tidy it away.

Bye bye.

Yes, bye bye, let’s put that away and play with something less hazardous.

Bye bye.

The girls are doing puzzles.

Aren’t they good.

Micah found some beads.

Bye bye.

Oh, sorry. Maya brought them home from school yesterday. I forgot to tidy them away.

I don’t think he swallowed any. I put them up there.

Cake?

Yes please. These look delicious Stella, thank you.

Bicky?

Yes, Charlotte, you sit with Mummy and you can share mine. No, not in my face.

Shall I read? I don’t have a child to hold. Can I borrow your…

Thank you, Stella.

“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest…”

Miaow?

“Downsitting”, crumbs. The King James is a bit too... I’ll find the NIV.

I have it on my app. Here you are, Stella.

Miaow all gone.

Yes, Charlotte, the cat’s gone out now.

Is that cake?

Do you want some, Reuben?

Yes.

Yes, what?

Please.

Ask Ezi if he wants some too.

No.

Reuben…

Can I have cake?

Ask Ezi.

Okay then. If I have to.

Yes, you have to.

Shall I read?

Sit down here boys if you want cake.

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”

Wug.

Rose, again!

Can I have a biscuit?

You asked for cake first. Finish the cake.

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive…”

Can we have cake, please?

Have you finished your puzzle already? Do you want to sit at the end there?

“…my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue…”

Water.

I beg your pardon?

Can I have water?

Can I have water….?

“…you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay…”

PLEASE!

Reuben… Who would like water?

Can I have juice, please?

“…your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

I don’t have any juice, sorry Sophie.

Can I have milk?

Is that the end?

I didn’t catch any of that.

No that’s just the first six verses.

How many verses are there?

Twenty-four.

Who wants milk?

Me 

Me

Moke.

I’m not sure I have enough milk for every…

Just half a cup, they won’t finish it.

Can I have more cake?

What was the bit about being hemmed in?

“You hem me in behind and before”

Eat over the plate, you’re dropping crumbs. 

That’s for sure.

We can stop there and do some questions.

If you’ve finished girls, you can go back upstairs.

“What does God know about us?”

I don’t want it.

You asked for it, now finish it.

I don’t like it.

Everything.

Well, yes, everything. I mean… that’s not much of a question.

More bicky?

“Is there anything that you think God might not know about you?”

More miaow?

I think the cat has gone to hide Charlotte.

I’m drawing a blank on that one, shall we move on?

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”

Mummmyyyyyy, I done a poooooo.

Hold on a moment, Ezekiel.

“If I go up to the heavens, you are there;”

Could you hold Micah?

Mammaaaaaa maamaaaaaaa maamaaaaaaaaaaaa.

“If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

Shush shush, Mummy won’t be long.

Mamamaaaaaamaaamamamamaaamamaaaaaaaaa.

My Mummy.

Yes, I am your Mummy, Charlotte, I’m just holding Micah while Becky wipes Ezi’s bottom.

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

That’s lovely. “The wings of the dawn.”

MY Mummy.

I rise on the wings of the dawn every bloody day. Excuse my language.

Yes, Charlotte, I’m still your Mummy.

Mama mamamamaaaaaa ahhaaaa wahhaaaaaa.

It’s okay Micah, Mummy won’t be long. Shush shush.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like”

Charlotte, no. You can’t climb on me now.

Whhaaaaaaahaaaa.

Wug.

Uhu uhuuu hu hu uhuuuaaaaaaaaah.

Oh Rose. It’s all over the floor.

Can I help?

No, it’s fine, just read. Are we nearly finished?

“the day, for darkness is as light to you.” That’s halfway.

Can I have cake?

Hello Ezekiel, have you got a clean botty?

Can I have cake?

All done. Sorry about that. They’ve been bunged up all week and now it’s all coming out in one go. Micah, silly sausage. Mummy’s back. Come here. 

Mamaaa!

My MUMMY.

Yes, Charlotte, come and sit here. No, not in my face.

Cake?

You’ve had enough cake, Ezekiel. Go and play with Reuben.

Amamamamamamamammmmmm.

You’re a happy boy now.

“Is there a place you go or something you do to give you a ‘break’ from God?”

Is that one of the study questions?

Uhuh.

I’d like a break to be with God.

More miaow?

There are people in the church, and I’m not naming names, who have quiet time every single day. For hours.

Can you imagine going on a retreat?

Uhhuhuhuuuaaaaaaaah.

No children.

Mummy, Ezi’s not sharing.

Maybe a spa break.

I want that train.

I could pray so well in a jacuzzi.

Do you like tractors? We have a whole box of tractors over here.

It’s my tractor.

Reuben!

More miaow?

Have we finished the psalm? More coffee? Tea?

Can I have a top-up?

Verse 13. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

“You knit me together”. What a wonderful image. 

My tractor.

Reuben!

That’s exactly how I feel, like I’m trying to knit this baby together. I have this complicated knitting pattern and I don’t have the instructions and I keep worrying that I won’t have enough wool or the right kind of wool and then maybe I’ll drop a stitch and the baby will come out with a hole in him or he’ll be all lumpy and knotted, or I got the measurements wrong and he’ll have arms that are too long and a chest that’s too tight and…

Stella.

Oh, Stella. Everything will be okay.

I’m sorry. I just… I’m so scared. I’m still so scared. They keep saying everything is alright, but after last time I can’t…

It will be alright Stella. Your baby will be so beautiful. 

He’ll be just perfect.

Have a tissue.

You’re not the one knitting him together, remember. Here, pass me the phone. Now listen to this. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.”

Oh, that is beautiful… thank you Deborah. I just… I’m sorry…

Don’t, you’ll set me off.

Stop apologising.

Mama, why are you crying?

Mama isn’t crying, Anna, she’s fine.

Anna, what have you got on your face?

Oh dear, I think those must be Maya’s face paints.

We found them in the big room.

…Or my make-up.

Sophie! What have you been doing?

Don’t worry about it. It’s old make-up. I’ll just go up and check…

Sophie! Just look at you. We’re going to the dentist in a minute. What have you done?

We were playing Mummies.

Well Mummies don’t wear lipstick in their eyebrows, do they?

Sorry.

I’ve got some wipes in my bag. Come on girls, let’s get you cleaned up.

Thank you, Becky. Have they made a mess, Hannah?

It’ll come out. I’ve got some really good carpet cleaner. We use it for the cat all the time.

Let me do that.

No, Stella. You sit down. It won’t take a moment. I’ll just spray it on now while it’s fresh.

Mummy, when is Ezi going home?

Reuben! Don’t be rude.

It’s 11 already! I have to go. We’ve got the dentist. How are you doing, Sophie? Are you clean?

We haven’t finished the psalm.

Carry on without me. I’m sorry. The parking in town is terrible.

Not so easy to shift lipstick from eyebrows with baby wipes, but it’ll come out in the bath.

Oh Anna, what a mess. No, don’t cry, little one. Come here.

Thanks for trying Becky. Come on Sophie, the dentist will have a laugh. 

Are you off already?

Dentist. Did you manage to clean the carpet?

It’ll come out when it’s dry, I’m sure. 

I am sorry. Shall we pray before I go?

Yes.

Do you want to pray Deborah?

Dear Father…

Mummy, when is Ezi going home?

Reuben, shush. Mummy’s talking to God now.

I don’t want you to talk to God.

Shush. Come and sit with me.

Dear Father…

Miaow! Miaow! Mummy! MIAOW!

Yes, Charlotte, the cat’s back. We’re just talking to God now. Can you play with baby Micah for a minute?

Can I have another biscuit?

Ezekiel, we’re praying, darling, can you play with Micah and Charlotte next door.

Dear Father, thank you for every amazing child that you have given into our care, each one fearfully and wonderfully made, in your image. Thank you that you carry Stella through her pregnancy, you hem her in behind and before, so she won’t unravel. We pray that you guide us in our parenting, that you grant us patience, that you give us hearts true to you. We pray this in Jesus’ name…

AaaaaaaaaaaamEN!!!

Thank you, Reuben.

Miaow all gone.

Wug.