Rise and Fall

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Stuffy nose
Tiny cough
Little rattles
Lacing
Your breath
Fussy cry
Flushed cheeks
Finally asleep
Mom and Dad
Cautiously
Creep across
The floor
Standing
Perfectly still
Holding
Their breath
Until seeing
The rise
And fall
Of yours-
Feel better
Little one

I will never forget watching my babies sleep, especially if they were sick. Seeing my son and daughter-in-law care for Emi brings those memories rushing back. This week, she is not feeling well. And, of course, they are taking great care of her. It is hard work deciphering signals from a sick baby.

How About You?

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Certain seasons 
Seem to turn
My World 
Upside Down-

When Red Clay
Soaks its dye
Into the roots
Of a Great Oak
Transforming its crown
From green to
A vibrant shade
Of burnt orange
Right before 
Leaf by leaf
The crown falls
To the ground
Afraid, yet willing
Sad, yet grateful 
For purpose fulfilled-

Certain seasons 
Seem to turn
My World 
Upside Down-


Driving across Oklahoma, the red clay dirt catches my attention. During Fall, it creates a beautiful foundation for the changing colors.

The changing seasons remind me of personal changes. New job, sweet granddaughter, the loss of my Dad. What changes have impacted your life this year?

Simply Sunday

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Term of endearment
With many versions
Each one chosen
For any variety
Of reasons
Each one spoken
For any variety
Of emotions
No matter the age
Sometimes
A girl needs
To see her Mom

Enjoyed an overnight trip to Little Rock and a nice dinner out with Mom. ❤️ Thankful for a husband who says, Let’s go!

A Possibility

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Once we became
Acquainted
Hiding was futile
I could either attempt
To ignore you or
Make the best of it
And accept you
For who you are-
The initial shock
Of your rough exterior
Made me want
To runaway
Thankfully, I stayed
Not to say
We are friends
That would be a stretch
But the possibility exists
I sensed it while
Hugging you tight enough
To see into the
Center of your soul
Where sweet memories
Are kept, treasured
So as never
To be forgotten

Grief is not something to get over. Once we know it, it becomes part of us. However, our capacity to live with it grows over time. At least, that’s what I’m choosing to believe. Especially as we prepare to celebrate the approaching holidays. ❤️

From the Circle

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Sharing two poems from a recent poetry circle facilitated by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. I continue to love this process and the people it allows me to meet. ❤️

Who Me?

I saw you waving
From the side
Of the road-
Who me? I smiled
Wanting to stop
And stay for a bit
But the cars were
Starting to move
And work was waiting-
Seemed silly
In the moment
Nevertheless, I quickly
Snapped your picture
Hoping to capture
Your golden yellow leaves
Grateful to receive
Your promising message
On such a gloomy morning
It’s ok-The rain must fall
We will all be brighter tomorrow

All in the Family

I am known
For crying
My mom is known
For crying
My grandmother
My aunts
Even my daughter
I suppose we
Come by it
Honestly
This tendency
To express both
The happiest and
Saddest moments
In a similar way
Causes some
To ponder
And sometimes
Dare to ask-
Why are you crying?
And if they truly
Want to know
I will gladly tell them
That is if I can stop crying

Simply Sunday

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Kind words
I didn’t know
I needed to hear
You look so pretty
So grounded
From someone
Who has not seen me
In almost a year-
Heartfelt words
Offering
Reassurance
That time
Paired with
Effort and grace
Carries restoration

Twice this week, I ran into friends who are former colleagues. Smiles, hugs, and kind words filled the space we occupied. The visits were brief but left me feeling encouraged.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Round and Round

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I wish I could see it
All at once
North, South, East, West
But I can’t, the expanse
Is too great
Plus, I’ve always
Been a bit challenged
Where directions 
Are concerned-
One minute
The bright orange
Of a new day
Is waving at me
In the rearview
The next, it’s in
My periphery 
As I speed past-
Of course, it’s not
Moving-I am
Right along
With this Sphere
We call home-
If only there 
Was a place
I could stand
Spin around
And around
Lay down on the ground
Taking it all in
Not for understanding
Simply for the awe

Oklahoma Fall

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Playing hide-n-seek
Among the trees
Leaves of Paintbrush Red
And Sunflower Yellow
Wave at purple grasses
Standing strong
In the red clay dirt-
Steady evergreens
Hold tight to
Their needles, while
At the same time
Coaxing those
Approaching
A season of
Visible change
To boldly share
Their transformation-
Oh, they, too
Know change
Roots grown deeper
Branches broken
And re-grown
Changes that
Bring wisdom
Wisdom that
Inspires gratitude
For each new season