Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl3 Comments

Sitting in a rocker in front of Cracker Barrell in Alma, AR, I almost wrote 1993 instead of 2023 at the top of my journal page. This spot between Tulsa, OK, and Little Rock, AR, has been our family meeting place for years. I was waiting for my brother to drop off my mom this time.

Many a summer or spring break adventure started there. Sometimes, it was our kids going to spend a week with grandparents. Other times, it was me having some extended family time. And when you have as many cousins as me, extra time is needed.

So, what took me back to 1993? It was an eventful year for us! We were married in May, moved in July, and had a baby the following December. And that’s when it all started. Traveling the highway between Arkansas and Oklahoma, sometimes stopping in the middle for a drop-off or pick-up.

And this time, the end result was great-grandma meeting great-granddaughter for the first time. 💗

Mid-Week Smiles

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Sharing two poems from this month’s writing circle. Grateful for time to write, listen, and reflect with this sweet group of individuals. ❤️ https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ with Ali Grimshaw.

What is Your Favorite Color?

I have always
Only had one
Some people
Periodically
Choose a new one
Like my sweet niece
A new color
For each new year
But not me
Can’t let mine go-
I sometimes wonder
Why it’s my favorite
Then quickly remember
There are too many
Reasons to count-
An endless sky
On a clear summer day
The vastness of the ocean
As it fades into the horizon
The kind eyes of my dad
The bright eyes of my granddaughter
Only a few examples
From an endless list
Painted in shades of blue

A Sweet Rescue

Can you imagine being
Completely covered
In sticky, sweet honey?
Unable to enjoy
Even the tiniest
Of tastes
Due to the
Unpleasantness
Of clogged ears
And glazed eyes
Unable to shift
Even the smallest
Of limbs
Stuck
All alone
Waiting
To be rescued
From your immersion
In too much of
This golden goodness
Relieved
When friends arrive
And carry you
Back to your hive
Lesson learned-
A little honey goes a long way!

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl9 Comments

Music is a foundational part of my life. It is there to help me celebrate. It is there when I’m sad. Whether playing or listening, its power is undeniable. Today seems like a good time to simply share. 😉❤️

Blackbird by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Kelley Morris, piano
Sunshine On My Shoulders by John Denver
Kelley Morris, piano
Cool Change-The Little River Band
Kelley Morris, piano

Stronger Than Hate

On By Piano girl5 Comments

I sense an oppression
More relentless than
This current heatwave
An already heavy
Weight of Worry
Now increased by fear
From hateful words
Spewed on repeat
Intended to threaten even
The most vulnerable-
Words holding no truth
Words intending to
Burn the schoolhouse
To the ground
Leaving our children
To play in the ashes-
And yet
We know
Light shines
In the darkness
We know
Love overcomes hate
We know
Standing together
In those truths
Is the only way
To permeate
The darkest of times
The hardest of hearts

Schools are like mini-communities. Each classroom is its own family. Everyone belongs no matter what. Learning to get along, solving problems, and growing. Playing, laughing, disagreeing, forgiving. And that is only in the first thirty minutes of the day! 😉

These are challenging times for public education. There are constant attacks laced with political rhetoric that have no place in conversations regarding education. Rhetoric repeated so much it has led to threats of violence. And threats only place another layer of fear and stress on students, parents, teachers, and staff.

My friends, family, former colleagues, and former students have faced those threats this past week. And though I am no longer in the classroom, my heart is heavy. I could not let this week pass without sending them this message. I see you! I love you! What you do matters! ❤️

Don’t Blink

On By Piano girl7 Comments

It seems like yesterday…
I was putting my
Hand in your face
When you tried to kiss me
Yet here we are
Thirty years of marriage later

It seems like yesterday…
We were bringing
Our first baby home
Not a clue what to do
Yet now he is married
With a baby of his own

It seems like yesterday…
I was chauffeuring
Three kids to school
Listening to them laugh
And now, sometimes
I get to be their passenger

I did not think it was possible
For time to pass any faster
But when I watch
My granddaughter sleep
See her sweet smile
I don’t want to blink

Who Are You?

On By Piano girl2 Comments

There is a
Familiarity
In that face
A recollection
Behind those eyes
Curious though
Something
Is missing
A sparkle
In the blues
A sweetness
In the smile
Oh, don’t worry
They have been
Invited to return
And I have
A feeling
They may arrive
Tomorrow morning
About the time
I look in the mirror

Do you ever look in the mirror and think-Who is this person? They do not look like I remember. I think this happens more often the older I get. I am learning to appreciate the changes I see. And to recognize when that reflection says-You need a little extra care today. ❤️

Tears

On By Piano girl7 Comments 
Perhaps if I
Thought of them
As belonging
To a waterfall
Freely rushing
Over the edge
Of a rock face
Skillfully smoothed
From the continuous
Flow of unexpected
Strength and sorrow
Knowing they will
Slow down
Once reaching
A quiet stream below-
Not losing purpose
But discovering 
New resolve-
Perhaps if
I thought of them
As belonging 
To a waterfall
I would let them fall
Free of fear
No concern for
Who might be
Standing at the lookout
Witnessing my life
In motion through
Each drop of rain
From the storms
Each spot of color
From the rainbows 

Talking about anxiety and depression is not easy. When emotions feel out of balance, it is tempting to hide them. But putting on a happy face, though sometimes necessary, is not a permanent solution. Eventually, they will find a way out, often leading to embarrassment and exhaustion. 

Well, at least that was my experience earlier this week. 😉

Thankful for friends and family who understand and keep me grounded. ❤️

Heartful Hope

On By Piano girl1 Comment

All through
The oppressive
Heat of summer
I watched
For your return
Supposing a quiet
Shady spot beside
A quiet stream
Had become
Your temporary
Summer home
But still, I watched
Believing one
Brief sighting
Would offer
Heartful hope-
And suddenly
Yesterday
There you were!
And I smiled
Sensing the ease
Of a new season
If only for a day

Red Rover

On By Piano girl1 Comment 
Standing 
Shoulder
To shoulder
Hands held tight
Forming a
Red Rover line
Strong enough
To keep out
Any who seek
To discourage
All the while
Carrying the
Most precious
Of cargos
Our future
On their 
Shoulders
A responsibility
That when shared
Shines a light
Through
The troubles
Of this day
Into the time
Ahead of us

I am not preparing to return to the classroom. It’s the first time in sixteen years. Feels a bit strange.

There are tiny tinges of sadness. I miss the Good Morning smiles and hugs from friends. The laughter of students. The sharing of music.

Teacher friends, you are my heroes! I am cheering you on from the sidelines! ❤️🍎