Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl5 Comments

This week was heavy. I’ve thought about our recent trip to Maui a lot. The shop owners, waiters, waitresses, hotel workers, tattoo artists, and people who rented us snorkel gear-all kind and friendly. Living their lives in that beautiful place, now destroyed.

Yesterday’s news showed the Banyan tree at the center of Lahina. It is scorched but still standing. Time will tell. A tiny sliver of hope amid unthinkable tragedy.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

The Center

On By Piano girl7 Comments

A long life
Well-lived
The center
Of attention
And rightly so
Possessing a beauty
Difficult to describe-
Like a grandmother
Whose arms were able
To reach out in
All directions
At the same time
You pulled us in
Shared your stories
And listened to ours-
You were taken
In an instant
No one will sit
In the wisdom
Of your shade again-
And my heart is broken

I am saddened by the news of wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. The one-hundred-fifty-year-old Banyan tree I sat under a few weeks ago is gone. Along with it, most of the town to which it was the center.

A quaint main street lined with local businesses and restaurants. The constant sound of ocean waves. People, nature, structures-a way of life-all taken in a terrifying instant. I couldn’t allow the day to end without expressing my love and heartache for this beautiful place.

Lahain Banyan Court Park-Destroyed by wildfires August 9, 2023.

Don’t Forget!

On By Piano girl2 Comments

It’s that time again, Mammogram day. Simply saying the word brings tension. Go on! Give it a try! You can expect a grimace or furrowed brow. Maybe even that sound of sucking air thru clenched teeth.

But that’s ok. It’s not a particularly pleasant thought or experience. It is, however, a life-saving exam that should be an available part of every woman’s healthcare.

And so I wait for someone to call my name and give instructions.

Here’s your cape.

It opens in the front.

Come out when you’re ready.

Are you wearing deodorant?

The one time its ok to smile and proudly say-No, I am not! 💗

Get your yearly mammogram!

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl7 Comments

Yesterday, I watched the movie Barbie with my friend, Marina, my daughter, Rachel, and Rachel’s friend, Olivia. The girls had already seen the movie. I was excited to go but not sure what to expect.

Well, I laughed and cried, remembered and thought. And any movie that makes me do those things? Well, I classify it as good. There was a lot to process mixed in with all the fun and I will see it again. 💗

The following line struck a chord.

“We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come.” Ruth Handler

Hop, Skip, and Jump

Tiny feet begin
To wobble
Their way out
Into the World
Each step
Bringing
A bit more
Confidence
A glance back
After each
Milestone
With a sly grin
And quick wave
Look at me, Mom!
Fall down, get up
Hop, skip, jump
Until steps
Turn into miles
And smiles
Turn into years
And I remain
Standing
Proudly watching
As you learn to fly

Packing and Unpacking

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Started unpacking today
After twenty-plus years
Guess it’s about time-
Not that this suitcase
Was hidden
No, it has floated
In my periphery
Until a flashback
Would open the latch
Spilling its contents
In a jumbled mess
All over my heart-
A quick nod
Possible sharing
Then once again
Packed away-
Not this time
This time I am
Choosing to
Open the latch
Hold each piece close-
Fear
Anger
Gratitude
Release-
Acknowledging
Their impact
Before gently folding
Placing them in my
Chest of Memories
Not to be forgotten
But remembered
With clarity
Within the journey

Miles Away

On By Piano girl12 Comments

It could be the one-hundred-plus-excessive-heat-warning temperatures.

It could be because I’m missing Dad.

It’s most likely an all-of-the-above answer to any multiple-choice question you might ask.

Whatever the question or the answer, my thoughts keep drifting.

What would I give?
To rest in
The Wisdom
Of your shade
To sit beneath 
Limbs-curved
And crooked from
Over a century 
Of growing
Reaching 
Learning to be-
Witness to 
Stories unseen
Standing vigil
Thru seasons of
Darkness 
And light
Firmly holding
In your arms
All those seeking rest-
What would I give?
To rest in
The Wisdom
Of your shade-
Listening 
As the tide rolls in
Wondering 
If you can hear it, too
Lahaina Banyan Court Park-Maui, HI photo credit Gart Morris ❤️

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl5 Comments

It was an eventful week. My yearly physical suggested the need for cholesterol medicine. Then I was rear-ended Thursday on my way home from work.

Such is life, out of our control. Well, I can do some work on the cholesterol front. But that’s not the point. The point is hope remains.

A weekend visit meant all the chicks in the nest, along with the grandbaby chick. Girls went to a concert, boys to a movie. And Gigi hung out with Emi.

The Best Medicine

Listening as you
Find your voice
Watching as you
Learn to reach
Rocking as you
Fall asleep
Troubles
Of the day
Melt away

Collaboration

On By Piano girl4 Comments

I love connecting with others in the WordPress family. Reading and learning about you and your corners of the world is fascinating.

David, the author of the https://skepticskaddish.com/ blog, offers a regular opportunity for collaboration. I’ve thought about participating many times. Finally, this week, I submitted a poem.

He graciously accepted and wrote a poem in response.

Here’s the beginning of my poem.

Looking Up

My earliest memories
Are only glimpses
A tiny sapling
Growing roots
Dancing
Swaying
In the breeze
Waiting for limbs
To grow stronger
To reach farther
Wishing time
Would speed up-
I have felt
The seasons
Changing from
Bright greens
To deep reds
Warm yellows
To crunchy browns
Again and again
Wishing time
Would slow down-

Read the remainder along with David’s response by clicking the link below. 😊

skepticskaddish.com/2023/07/25/too-strong-or-to-understand/

Open Fields

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Dense Fog
Rolled in
Last week
Came prepared
To stay awhile
Despite the lack
Of invitation
Hung around
Clouded my vision-
Got a headache
From constantly
Squinting


Until…

The tiniest
Wave of Light
Called me out
Into the clearing
And we said
Goodbye
From the other side

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

I continue to discover the ways of grief. Sometimes expected, often not. I continue to be grateful for the writing circle space created by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ What a gift to get feelings down on paper and share them with loving souls.

The following poem came out of our recent circle. Maybe you can relate. ❤️

Ready to Listen

It seemed like
A good idea
Frantically
Searching
Through old
Voicemails
I thought
I was ready
To listen-
The sound
Of your voice
Even from a
Recording
Would surely
Bring peace
Instead, it was
An instant reminder
Of how much I miss you-
You have not been gone very long-
Grief made her
Presence known
In the song of
Falling tears
And together
We quietly sang
A sad, yet
Grateful
Melody