Porch Swing Promises

On By Piano girlLeave a comment

If you had a porch swing
I might never leave-
Innocent comments carrying
A hint of hope for the future-
Offered with a smile
Received with curiosity
At a time when everything was new
Excitement mixed with hesitation
In the getting-to-know stage
Holding tight
To possibilities
But not too tight-
Until uncertainties vanished
With one thoughtful purchase-
Perfect spot for relaxing, talking, laughing-
And when the time was right
A sweet proposal-
Who knew so much hope and love
Could be held in the sway
Of one perfectly placed porch swing

For Rachel and Austen ❤️

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl11 Comments

Yesterday, we celebrated the marriage of our daughter, Rachel, and her fiance, Austen. Surrounded by family and friends, they promised to love and care for each other, no matter what.

Their smiles spoke as strongly as their words.

It was a beautifully perfect day, covered in clear blue skies, heartfelt vows, and love expressed for the happy couple.

So many emotions were felt and memories made. This mom needs time to reflect. But one thing is for certain, the Father of the Bride and I could not be happier. 

More to come…❤️

Kirkland Chapel
Flower girl 🤍
Lovely Reception

Silence

On By Piano girl10 Comments

It challenges me-
In my car?
Turn on some music
Home alone?
Flip on the TV
Why not simply sit
With my thoughts?
They tend to shift
Quite rapidly
And are often
Accompanied by
Vivid images-
My quiet time
Quickly becomes
A cacophony
No one else can hear
A barrage of photos
No one else can see-
Perhaps I should
Take a walk-
Listen closely to the
Birds and the Breeze-
Let their songs clear
The cobwebs away
Making room for peace

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Transformation


It’s not for lack of trying
You soak in every
Drop of rain
Bask in each
Ray of sunlight
Stand tall in your
Strongest strong
Timing and balance
In this current season
Are just a bit off
Not that you hold
Any control where
These particular changes
Are concerned-
One thing is certain
Changes will occur
But even when your
Branches sway, bare
In Winter’s breeze
Your beauty will not fade

Muted Colors

On By Piano girl5 Comments


If only I could grasp
A corner of the sky
Between my fingertips
And carefully peel it back
Like removing
The protective covering
From a brand-new mirror
So that the fuzzy images
Suddenly become clear-
If only I could grasp
A corner of the sky
Between my fingertips
And carefully peel it back
Perhaps the colors of Fall
Would no longer appear muted
Their transformation revealing
Deep reds and golden yellows-
I cannot peel back
A corner of the sky
But I can remember
This is only a season
And in certain seasons
Peace for an anxious heart
Quietly lingers within
The softly muted colors

Passersby

On By Piano girl4 Comments

I pass by them
Almost every day
Structures, homes
Once filled with life
And all of its joy and sorrow
Now abandoned
Void of purpose
I pass by them
Almost every day
People, living souls
Once filled with life
And all of its laughter and tears
Now standing alone
Their gazes hollow
Purpose forgotten –
What if the latter filled the former?
Would it be a step toward living again?
Maybe a small step
Requiring help from passersby like me-
Surely an answer
Lies somewhere between
The tangible and the sacred

“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭9‬ ‭

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl14 Comments

Prayerfully

If I choose to do
What I know to do
Love
Everyone
No matter what
Little room remains
For hateful words
Or ugly actions
If I choose to do
What I should not do
Hate
Anyone
For any reason
Little room remains
For joyful connections
Or beautiful expression
The state of my heart
Releases with my words
My words guide my hands-
Help me always choose love

❤️

“…no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”

I Corinthians 13:3 MSG

Evidence

On By Piano girl8 Comments

I’ve held my tears close
Hesitantly accepting
The sun’s warmth
On my face
But the disappointment
And questions with no answers
Will no longer be ignored
Cascading down with today’s rain
I suppose this is where faith steps in
It is, after all, believing
In what I can’t see-
A simple definition, yes
Sometimes those are
The ones to hold close
And I must believe
Love continues to reside
Even in places where evidence
Is not clearly evident-
And if it is lost, to think it can
Once again, be found
It may begin with simple words
I hear you.
I love you.
I see you.
I am sorry.
But its survival requires
Much more than words-
Please don’t give me opinions
Or long-held beliefs
Both are easily skewed
By outward influences
Where truth and lies
Are purposefully blurred
Instead, close your eyes
Open your heart
Focus on the sound
Of your heartbeat
Helping it to grow
More in sync with mine
As we breathe
As we silently pray
Knowing I am afraid, too

Dampened Cheek

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Rain continues to fall
While the wind rests
My racing thoughts
And rapid pulse
Gratefully embrace
A moment of calm-
The saturated ground
Swells, painfully aware
Of its limited capacity
Struggling as the rain
Completely unaware
Continues to fall
Like a continuous stream
Of tears rolling down
An already dampened cheek
Unsure of their destination-
Will the tears be brushed
Away by hands, dry and cracked
From denial and indifference
Or allowed to freely flow
Softening hearts
As the rain softened the ground

The Challenge

On By Piano girl3 Comments

No need to hurry
No need to hesitate
Yet, simply being
Is sometimes
The hardest thing to do
I wonder why?
Why are we so often
Afraid to be still
Breathe in
Breathe out
Not thinking about
The next moment
The next day
The next year
Whether they arrive or not
My worry carries no sway
Today I choose
To be still
Breathe in
Breathe out
Accepting that it is okay
To not know
Where my next step may lead

Another beautiful photo of Central Arkansas taken by my sweet Mom. 💙

I stood in line to vote this morning. A right and responsibility I do not take lightly. And now, like everyone else, I wait. The challenge is to wait calmly, pushing worry away.