Family Life | Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

On Juggling

Anita Mathias — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 15:00:55 +0000

Irene, my 15 year old, has decided to become a master juggler. (I blame Baroness Susan Greenfield who told her class that juggling makes you clever). And now the air is full of the swish-swish-swish of juggling balls. And as for me, words and ideas which might have been sublime (one can always dream!) slip […]

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On Being Christian with a small c or a big C

Anita Mathias — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 06:58:46 +0000

Image Credit Our family was discussing a writer who has done paradigm-breaking innovative work. “Is she a Christian?” my daughter Irene asked. “Yes. She’s a Christian. With a small C, I’d guess.” “What’s that?” Irene asked. “Hmm… Someone who goes to church, more or less respects Jesus and the Bible, but who does not see […]

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Irene’s views on baptism

Anita Mathias — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:28:00 +0000

I really want Irene to be a committed Christian like Zoe. Roy & Zoe keep predicting that Irene is going to surprise us all. Me, “Irene, when you commit your life to Christ, you can be baptised.” She, “Oh.” Me, “Though you will need to tell the whole church about how you have now decided […]

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Zoe and Irene, sweet sisters

Anita Mathias — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:43:00 +0000

Overheard at our house. Irene, 11, to Zoe, 15. “I’m really worried.” Zoe, sounding very concerned. “Why, what’s happened?” Irene, “I never thought this day would come.” Zoe, now anxious, “What’s happened, Irene?” Irene, “Zoe, I am picking up all your habits. I am becoming YOU!”

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My heavenly daughter, Irene

Anita Mathias — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:34:00 +0000

I generally sort out logistical challenges, like how to provide lunch for 15 people in the context of prayer. I was puzzling this out, while Irene kept coming up with every more time-intensive and impractical menu suggestions. “Hush, Irene,” I said, “I am trying to discuss this problem with my Heavenly Father.” I said. “Well,” […]

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In Which Zoe Believes Money-Dollars Grows on Trees

Anita Mathias — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:41:00 +0000

Our toddler Zoe occasionally heard us talk about money when we lived in America. She would prick up her ears, and say, “Money? Money-dollars? You want money? Here take!” and give us a handful of imaginary dollar bills. We’d laugh. But there was a truth to it. It would be just as easy for God […]

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In Which Zoe Says Her Favourite Place in the Whole World is Her Own Home

Anita Mathias — Sat, 08 May 2010 14:02:00 +0000

Zoe and I go to conversation classes at the Alliance Francaise once a week. We were asked to describe our favourite place in the world. Everyone else said places like Switzerland, New Zealand, Venice, Costa Rica. Zoe said, “Mon Maison. I love my house. I love my new conservatory. I love my garden. I love […]

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In which Roy cruelly nixes my lavender kitchen

Anita Mathias — Sat, 08 May 2010 13:55:00 +0000

I now have a freshly painted kitchen, painted by Roy. I so wanted to paint it lavender, like the kitchens I saw in Provence (yellow, bright blue…) but Roy said if it was lavender, I would have to do all the cooking as he wouldn’t step into it. “Haven’t you heard of feminism?” I asked […]

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In which Jake the Collie Thinks He’s Zoe

Anita Mathias — Sat, 08 May 2010 13:20:00 +0000

Jake the Collie now thinks he’s Zoe. We are going through our list of house and garden chores with frequent summons to strong, practical helpful Zoe when the going gets tough. She, working on her Othello essay, has developed selective hearing. But Jake appears each time, happily wagging his tail!

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In Which Irene Analysed British Political Speech

Anita Mathias — Sat, 08 May 2010 10:06:00 +0000

I no longer repent that I bought Irene her Ipod touch on impulse. She listened to all three leader’s debates on her Ipod this morning, and was hugely amused at the Oxford Union style of debating. Nick Clegg interrupting to ask, “Yes or no, yes or no?” Come on, Nick, life isn’t that simple. Her […]

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