It begins
With a clear
Statement
Of rules and
Regulations-
Wait.
Is that right?
I don’t think
That sounds right
A newborn baby
Senses it
Responds to it
Before comprehending
The security
That will grow
From a foundation
Built on trust
Parents express it
With gestures
And words
Unconditional
Yet, still growing
In their understanding
Of its power
As it is received
Without question-
What is love?
It is a commitment
To the messy
And the beautiful
The Unexpected
And the routine
As simple as your smile
And the light in your eyes
Washing away my fears
Simply Sunday
Grain of Sand
What kind of footprints
Am I leaving behind
As I walk through each day?
Are they easily erased
By the wind and rain?
When walking alone
That may be the case-
But what if my feet
Are like those of a child
Following the impressions
Left by those walking ahead?
Confident or unsure
It does not matter
They are not mine alone
But instead, a grain of sand
Within one layer of history
Where many who walked
And continue walking
Will faithfully
And gently call me back
When my feet
Step off the path
Thankful Heart
This morning, I cried from disappointment. Then I cried from gratefulness. Later, I cried in relief. Then, one more time from gratitude and a little exhaustion.
Plans often do not work as expected. Even if the first solution seems like the best solution, when it crashes, questions creep in, and faith begins to fade. Prayers feel unanswered or on hold until answers arrive in the most beautiful ways.
Generosity and compassion are a powerful combination. And when a request is answered with both, it is humbling.
That was my day today. And now, at the end of it, I am overwhelmed by the generosity and compassion of family, friends, and strangers.
Our sweet friend will have her dental work on Monday. Thank you! ❤️
Reaching Out
This is not a typical blog post. But I love this community and know there may be some that want to help. Thank you for reading.
My former student is in need of dental work.
In the Stitches
I have described it before
A safety net
Of people and memories
Sewn together with care
Each stitch increasing
The vastness and strength
Of the shelter
Fashioning a living
Security blanket
To wrap me
And those I love
In the knowledge that
We are never alone-
Now grown
I see myself in the stitches
Understanding even more
The comfort and
Encouragement
In this welcoming refuge
Where whether weak or strong
I am never out of place
Simply Sunday on a Monday
Seven to one
A perfect ratio
For an early morning
Trip to the zoo
Seven adults
And one little girl
Each one ready to explore
Her Aunt and Uncles
Mom and Dad
Gigi and Papa, too
I can’t think
Of a more perfect way
To spend the day, can you?
My heart is full after a weekend with all the kids and grandbaby. Lots of laughter and playing and eating. And our first trip to the zoo with Miss Emi. Now it’s time for a nap! 😉❤️
Bits and Pieces
Emotions rise and fall
One moment
Filling my eyes
And the next
Tightening my chest
Emotions rise and fall
But words are slow
To follow-
I can feel them
Sometimes see them
Coming towards me
One at a time
With no sense of order
Leaving bits and pieces
Of a story
Or a memory
Floating around in my head-
Perhaps those are the days
I most need to write
Community
Dear Friends, I have shared before about my sweet friend and former student. She is a precious soul whose life has been anything but easy. Traveling between countries, and enduring years of abuse, all on top of having intellectual disabilities.
Since she is now over eighteen, she lives in an adult companion home. It is comparable to foster care. I am her legal guardian outside the home. She is in desperate need of dental work and there are no funds to assist.
We are asking for help for her. If you are so inclined, you may click on the link to learn more. https://gofund.me/2d38c145
Simply Sunday
Surprisingly Beautiful
Have you ever
Felt surprised
By being surprised?
It is a curious feeling
Like realizing no matter
How beautiful
The sunrise
On any given morning
It can be
Beautifully
Different
On the next–
Security may reside
In the routine
But hope radiates
From the surprising
Miss You
So many things
Missing from today
Your smiling eyes
Listening as we sing
Happy Birthday to you!
Hearing your most sincere
Thank you, I love you –
But mostly, I’m just missing you
Today would have been Dad’s 80th birthday. We love and miss him so much! But remembering his life makes us smile. 💙
Piano Girl 