Lighthearted

On By Piano girl6 Comments

Who Was that?

I walked past
My future self
This morning
At least
She could have been-
Faded jeans
And sandals
Unassuming
Floral patterned
Cotton top with
Spaghetti straps
White hair
Pulled back
In a relaxed, but
Fashionable style
Wire-rimmed glasses-
Well, I would probably
Choose more
Colorful
Frames
They are so much fun-
As I continued
To walk into
The day ahead
I couldn’t help but smile-
I wonder if she saw me?

So Simple

Such a simple idea
Cooking dinner
Admittedly, not
Something I do often
I would rather
Bake cookies
But this thought
On this day
Brought a smile
Along with
A complete
Shopping list-
Meal and dessert!
Before you offer
Any congratulations
Just know it was
A simple meal
Tasty, healthy
But not complex
Still, I energetically
Prepared, carefully
Timing each chop
And measure
Proud of myself
Upon completion
Happy to announce
Dinner’s ready!
And share this simple joy-

Guest Writer

On By Piano girl3 Comments

My daughter, Rachel, wrote the following poem not long after my dad passed away. It paints a beautiful picture of the way we need and care for each other. I asked her if I could share. ❤️

Circle of Grief

Your mom needs you
Is a call to action
I do not take lightly
My Dad said this to me
After learning my mom had lost her own father
I held her tight in my arms
Breathing deep and slow
Like she had done for me
so many times before
Your mom needs us
My Dad said to her
As they prepared to leave
I imagine she held her mom tight in her arms
Breathing deep and slow
Like she had done for her
So many times before
How precious it is
To need your mom
And be needed by her

-Rachel Morris

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Hi, Dad

The day we
Laid you to rest
The sun shone brightly
The wind blew
Stronger than
A breeze
And carried
A cold bite
Uneven, at best
Like my emotions
Visited again today
Knelt down
By the dirt
And smiled
Hi, Dad
The sun shone brightly
No breeze to cool the air
The sky was a beautiful blue
Somehow, felt balanced-
Surprisingly, so did I

Hi, Honey

Soft baby blanket
Tiny pink hat
Your sweet face
All that we
Could see
All that we
Needed to see
Eyes still closed
Your new cry
Broke my heart
Hi, Honey
Your dad
Held you close
My heart filled
To overflowing
My baby
Holding
His baby

Happy Father’s Day!

A Tiny Light

On By Piano girl2 Comments

So small
Yet, captivating
I’m unable to
Look away-
Uncertainty
Arrives first
But does not
Settle in
Curiosity soon
Takes its place
I continue to watch
Not knowing is ok
Maybe even better
Allows more space
For my thoughts
To wander
As I watch this
Tiny being of light
A bright spark of life
Knowing it will
Pass from my sight
And I will have to wait
Until it returns
Once again
Drawing my eyes
As my heart follows
Close behind

I continue to love the writing circle. You never know what is going to show up on the page. Sometimes, I do not know where the words come from or what they mean. Then I read them out loud to caring, intentional listeners and take in their reflections.

The above poem was written in our most recent circle with Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ Inspired by a line from the poem A Note by Wislawa Szymborska.

To follow a spark on the wind with your eyes.

What do you think I was writing about? 😉

Today’s Answers

On By Piano girl6 Comments


What is wrong with me? It took a couple of hours to solve the mystery. Though solving did not mean feelings subsided. The emotional range of my morning hit hard and fast. 

Why am I surprised? Sunday is our son’s first Father’s Day! It is also the first Father’s Day without Dad. So much joy and sadness co-exist. But I know I’m not alone. 

How are you today? My friend Darryl stopped by today. His home is on the streets. He appeared to be having a particularly rough day. Yet, he made a point to ask how I was doing.

Should I answer honestly? His dad also recently died. He didn’t know for several weeks. So many regrets. Told him I was struggling and mentioned that Sunday was Father’s Day.  

Sunday is Father’s Day? A first for us both. Reminded him that we have to keep going. It is ok to be sad, but we can’t stay there.  

What is wrong with me? I miss my dad. I miss my father-in-law. But I also celebrate my son. And I celebrate my husband-all great dads!

What are the answers for today? There is strength in honesty. Sorrow shared is easier to carry. And joy shared multiplies. ❤️

Mending Layers

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Wounds left behind
By trauma’s
Repeated strikes
Scar deep
The pain pulsing
Long after
The bruises
Disappear-
Difficult to
Comprehend
Particularly when
Exacted on the weak
And Innocent-
Layers of insecurity
Lead to repeated
Questions that
Often require
Deciphering
Repeated
Questions
Requiring
Repeated
Answers-
All the above
Requiring
Patience-
Uncomfortable
Necessary work
Sewing stitches
In hopes of mending

Child abuse is not pleasant to think about or talk about. But unpleasant conversations are necessary for positive change. Acknowledgment and patience are the beginning steps.

A recent visit with a sweet friend brought this ugly truth clearly into view. But there is hope. Even if it comes in small doses. Even if face-to-face caring tests my patience more than I wish to admit…

I remain in awe of the counselors, therapists, case workers, etc who sew these stitches every day.

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl1 Comment

It has been a busy weekend! So today, keeping it simple means sharing a post from last year. Hope you enjoy the day! 💛

Adventurous One

Early morning
When there is
Barely enough
Light to see
Or early evening
After the sun
Sinks below
The horizon
Those times
Are safest
For romping
And playing
In the soft blades
Expending
All energy
Before pausing
To graze our fill-
But some days
When the sun
Sits high in
The middle
Of the day
Temptation
Is too great
Warmth and light
Too much to ignore
All concerns
Disappear
As I run thru
Open fields
Fearless and free
For just a few
Moments
Until lovingly called
Back into the grove
Protected
In the shade
Of the trees

A Single Sliver

On By Piano girl7 Comments

Which holds more power?

A solitary word
Simple phrase
Image viewed
Likeness stored

Each one can
Wash over me
In a single sliver
Leaving its imprint

A curious question
Lingering ache
Quiet smile
Hopeful sigh

Perhaps the power
Does not lie
With the singular
But instead
In the progression

One word leads
To a memory
One phrase, and
A new image emerges

Tears flowing
Stories shared
Prayers spoken
Hearts healed

Family Trees

On By Piano girl4 Comments

We closely watched
As our children grew
Each part of us
Each their own
A continuation
Of family trees
With roots and branches
You and I will never know-
We’ve heard stories of
Transplanted roots
Broken branches
Colorful leaves
We’ve watched
More than once
As one season ended
And a new one began
Love and joy seeded
Along with pain
And heartache-
Seems strange
Speaking of them
In the same breath
Yet, here they are
Wise falling leaf
Innocent Spring bud
Quietly encouraging me
To embrace this current season-

Do not look too far ahead.
Do not look too far behind.
Do not hang on so tight,
That you miss
The peaceful wind
Blowing thru your hair.

Butterflies and Babies

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Sweetly swaddled
Snuggled in tight
Outside noises
Muffled
To protect
Tiny ears
Eyes remain
Sheltered
From the
Bright sun
Not yet ready
To greet this world
Until suddenly
Both protected
And protector
Are thrown into
A realm full of
New sounds
New feelings
New sensations
Why should we
Expect anything
Less than tears
And awe
And wonder

Once again, I am thinking about this life and its comparisons with butterflies. We often focus on the result. A beautiful new life in living color, floating thru the air. But we immediately forget the struggle required to get there.

Exactly one week ago, we met our sweet granddaughter. It was about an hour after she was born. Her feelings concerning the previous few hours were clear. Her cry was strong and sweet, heartbreaking and reassuring.

A couple hours later, the grandparents were ready to hold her. She was swaddled tight and sleeping. The only problem occurred when it was someone else’s turn. She would start crying every time there was a shift.

How dare you hand me over to someone else! I was comfy and just beginning to like you!

I had not given prolonged thought to the shock mamas and babies experience. And then I saw it from Gigi’s point of view-not dwelling, simply acknowledging. 💗