I hope you enjoy this second edition of Simply Sunday! A few more words this week, but still short and sweet. ❤
When we met
Her hair was
Snowy white
Sight failing
Unsteady
On her feet
Missed her husband
(Harvey) terribly
And younger days
Famous in the family
For having dreams
About trees-
A pine tree?
A baby boy
Is on the way
A flowering tree?
A baby girl
She was never wrong
My husband’s
Grandmother-
We called her Mimi
I’m glad her
Tree dreams
Came true
A wooden backboard
Metal rim, no net
Nailed to an oak tree
The ground below
Covered with rocks
An uneven court
To be sure
Shaded by branches
And green leaves
The perfect spot
For a friendly
Game of H-O-R-S-E
Maybe one on one
Or three on three
Aunts, Uncles, Cousins
Lots of laughter
A few skinned
Elbows and knees-
Players are long gone
The old oak remains
Holding in its rings
The memories of
Summer days and
Basketball games
Played under its
Watchful care
I am, admittedly, not a huge sports fan. Growing up, I was never part of an official sports team. My thing was music.
I do enjoy watching the occasional college football game and March Madness basketball. Especially when the Arkansas Razorbacks are competing. Growing up in Arkansas meant being a Razorback fan.
I watched games with my family. Listened to my Dad and Uncles yelling at the TV. Learned how to “call the hogs.” Then went outside to shoot hoops under the tree on our gravel court.
I attended the University of Arkansas for graduate school. Met my husband, who was a tuba player in the Razorback Band. Watched our oldest son follow in his footsteps, continuing that Razorback Band tradition.
So, tonight I will be cheering on those Razorbacks as they play ORU in the NCAA sweet 16 games. It is sure to be exciting! And just hearing those hog calls is sure to bring back lots of fun memories. Go Hogs!
Kindergarten teachers have my heart. Imagine spending your entire day with twenty-something little bodies. Helping them learn how to get along, be part of a group, understand expectations. It is not for the faint of heart.
This school year brings additional challenges. The many levels of stress due to the pandemic affects both students and teachers. Not to mention the trauma many of our students have faced and continue to face.
All that said, these teachers are still smiling at the end of most days. And still finding ways to encourage others. I would say, kindergarten teachers, are rockstars! ❤
Carefully folded
Pieces of paper
Some covered
With drawings
Of hearts
Music notes
Happy faces
Sad faces
Neatly stacked
On my desk-
Drawn by hands
So small, hands
Still learning
How to write
How to get along-
Simple messages
Meant to cheer
While saying
I’m sorry–
Signatures
So sweet…
A humbling
Experience
For this grown-up
Teacher who has
Hard days right
Along with the kids
As we navigate this big old world-
Our lesson for today?
We can make
Tomorrow
A better day-
Big or small
Young or old
Driving home
In darkness
News of the day
Settled in
Sorrow
For lives
Once again
Tragically taken
Sadness
For those
Left to grieve
The unthinkable
Each of us
Knows loss
Death is part
Of this life-
But for this…
No words
Only tears
Falling from
My eyes
Only tears
Falling
From the sky
Driving home
In darkness
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
I decided to try something different this weekend-Simply Sunday. The idea is to show one subject using few words and a variety of forms. Keeping it short and sweet! Enjoy! 💛
Lovely yellow blooms
Watercolor memories
Brighter in person
This post is part of SoCS. https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/24840312/posts/3241112703
California, here we come! Well, actually it should say there we went! I would have to spend a few minutes calculating to remember exactly how many years have passed since that trip. But, oh, what a trip!
Just picture this-three Honda Odyssey vans and one motorcycle. A caravan from Oklahoma across the country to California. The whole family! Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins-thirteen people in all.
Rest stops were longer than usual. And cousins were constantly switching vehicles, which was great for the adults. One stop even included kite-flying!
This trip has so many memories. We visited the Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, quaint towns, local restaurants. And our eventual destination meant visiting family and a trip to Disney Land. Not to mention, sandcastles on the beach and playing in the ocean.
No matter how much time passes, this particular trip will always hold a special place in my heart. Lots of laughter and actually very little stress. I think that may have had a lot to do with the three vans. 😉
All the kids are grown now. Some have kids of their own. And Papa is no longer with us. I know there will never be another trip like that one-and that is ok. California, we love you! And all the places between you and Oklahoma!
Layers
Upon layers
Upon layers
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Each must lose
One of its layers
To fulfill
Its purpose
The sweetness inside
Filling the space
Between our actions
And our senses-
Layers
Upon layers
Upon layers
Grow over
Our hearts
A little harder
To peel away
Help is required
From a trusted hand
Precious insides
Revealed
Filling the space
Between our actions
And our senses
Healing the heart
Making us whole again
I am here
You are here
We are all here
Tomorrow we go
Our separate ways
But the missing
Begins today…
Even in the smiles
Currently creating
Memories to
Carry us thru
Days ahead
The missing
Finds its way-
Sneaking in the
Backdoor of our
Thoughts trying
To distract us
From the present-
Unable to steal away
The happiness of
Togetherness
It quietly tiptoes
Back outside-
Tomorrow there will
Be no denying
The missing-
We will welcome it-
A reminder
Of lasting joy
Rooted in yesterday
Last weekend I visited my parents for the first time in six months! We were so happy to be face to face, holding on tight.
This past year, we could not celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or birthdays with them…to say we have missed each other is an understatement.
We knew the visit would be short, but that was ok. And even though good-byes may have brought a few tears, the smiles are what will last. ❤
Breathe in the air
Rising from rolling
Fields of yellow-
Daffodils rising
From the green
Turning their faces
Toward the sky
Searching for
Missing sunshine-
Breathe in the air
Held in the buds
Of ancient trees
Elders standing
Guard over blooms
Their bare branches
A reminder of
Strength even in
This current season-
Breathe in the air
Falling from clouds
Busy gathering rain
Slated for gently
Watering the rows
Of bright yellow
Later in the day
A promise for
Buds not yet open-
Rise and search
Turn your face
Toward the sky
Feel the rain
While waiting
For the sunshine
Fragile and strong
Like the flowers
Breathing in the air
My heart used to
Think letting go
Was harder than
Holding on-
Moments I wished
Could last forever-
Nothing lasts forever
No matter how
Tightly gripped-
Experience taught me
Tighter the grip
Greater the chances
Of shattering
The treasured into
A million tiny pieces-
I am learning to hold
Precious moments with
A more gentle touch
Like cuddling
A newborn baby
Or caressing
Weathered hands-
Where joy slowly fills
The heart to overflowing
Seeping out of every pore
Spilling onto anyone
Who comes near
A limitless circle
Of holding close
Then letting go-
Hmmm…maybe…
Sharing is forever
Piano Girl 