Liebster Award

On By Piano girl4 Comments

I would like to thank Amittras from https://vastnesswithin.wordpress.com/ for nominating my blog for the Liebster Award! 🙂 He describes himself as “A thinker, wandering through life, and wondering about its intricate turns.” I look forward to reading more about his wanderings.

Rules for the Nomination

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
  2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
  3. Share 11 facts about yourself.
  4. Nominate 5-11 other bloggers.
  5. Ask your nominees 11 questions of your choice.
  6. Notify your nominees once you have uploaded your post.

Questions I was asked:

  1. What is writing/blogging to you? For me, writing is a way to express my feelings. I often describe it as therapy. It helps me deal with sometimes difficult emotions through a creative process.
  2. Define fun for you! A family get together/trip. Coffee with a friend.
  3. What is one unusual thing about you? I had a complete career change at the age of 40 from music to special education.
  4. What is the one thing that you absolutely do not like about the world? The hate and racism that still pervades much of society. 
  5. Which song do you currently have on repeat?  “Like Everyone She Knows” by James Taylor. Really-anything by James Taylor. 🙂
  6. Which is the greatest movie of all time in your opinion? That is a tough one. I’ve always loved “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The phrase “no man is a failure who has friends” always sticks with me. “Steel Magnolias” if I need a good cry. I also found “Lion” a very moving story. “Interstellar” and “Arrival” are more recent favorites.
  7. What is your personality type? You can check out your personality type at 16personalities. Mediator INFP-T
  8. How do you deal with stress? I love playing the piano. It’s the one thing that helps my brain feel calm.
  9. What keeps you motivated? The idea of growing as a person and being able to encourage/help someone else along the way.
  10. If you could change your first name, what would you call yourself? I have no idea. I’ve always loved my name.
  11. What is missing in your life? This is a hard one to answer. Anxiety sometimes causes me to struggle with contentment. Particularly in my professional life. 
  12. Are there any common traits between me and you? We both enjoy poetry and music. We both have poems published in “The Poets Symphony.” Book Release
  13. If you had the ability to talk to animals, which species would be your best friend? I think it would be the giraffe. I’ve always been fascinated with their long necks and beautiful design. They would have lots of advice on how to reach the sky.

About me

  1. I’ve been playing the piano since I was a little girl.
  2. I love being the mom of three young adults and one daughter-n-law!
  3. My husband and I recently celebrated our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary!
  4. Colorado is one of my favorite places to visit.
  5. Coffee, coffee, and more coffee!
  6. I bake the best chocolate chip cookies.
  7. But I don’t really enjoy cooking.
  8. “Les Miserables” is my favorite novel and musical.
  9. I hope to someday publish a children’s picture book.
  10. I have a miniature dachshund named Poppy.  She’s fifteen.
  11. James Taylor is my absolute, all-time favorite singer.

I nominate the following blogs:

  1. bereavedandsingledad
  2. https://thegriefreality.blog/
  3. https://mitchteemley.com/
  4. https://kimberleymckinney.com/
  5. https://fracturedfaithblog.com/

My questions:

  1. What/who influenced you to start a blog?
  2. Do you have a favorite song/singer/group?
  3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
  4. Do you play a musical instrument?
  5. What book have you read more than once?
  6. Are you a coffee drinker? 
  7. What do you most enjoy about the writing process?
  8. Do you consider yourself a good listener?
  9. What hopes do you have for the future?
  10. What are your biggest concerns for the future?
  11. What else would you like people to know about you? 

Hearts Breaking

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Sometimes
Silence
Is not an
Option
Yet, this day
Words
Fall
Flat
And though
Emotions
Run
High
Attempts at
Expression
Feel
Numb
On this day
Notes
Speak
Loudly
Only as
Music
Plays
Softly
In this moment
It is my
Obligation
To hear
The cries
Of tired
Hearts
Breaking

First Loss
Album for the Young
Robert Schumann

Home to Home

On By Piano girl8 Comments

I left home at the mature age of seventeen and, except for one summer, never came back. My mom often reminds me. 😉

Before college, I had lived in the same house my entire life. I attended the same school, first grade through senior year, and was surrounded by extended family.

And even though I needed to find my own path, the place where I grew up would always be home.

A recent visit with my parents caused me to think about the word home. Especially the idea that home has little to do with the actual place.

As I pulled up in the driveway, my dad was waiting under the carport. Mom came right out as if she’d been listening inside for my car. Soon, we were talking about everything from the kids to work, politics, church. And, of course, the pandemic and quarantine.

They’re so cute. ❤

As an adult, I enjoy this time alone with my parents. Being there by myself means my only role at that moment is a daughter. Even if this visit brought some adult daughter anxiety.

Due to the current pandemic, I had to be very careful about where I stopped on the four-and-a-half-hour drive from our house to theirs. My parents are over seventy, Mom a breast cancer survivor and Dad with diabetes and kidney disease. Their health is currently good, and I couldn’t bear the thought of exposing them to this virus.

My anxiety quickly faded as Dad asked, “How’s my little girl?” Mom said more than once, “I’m so glad you came.” At face value, simple phrases. Yet, they wrapped me in the love and security I experienced growing up.

When going to visit my parents, I say I am going home. And when it’s time to leave, I use the same phrase. I guess both are true. Home is about the people not the places.

I may have to leave tiny pieces of my heart behind when leaving one, but I know they will be refilled upon arrival at the other. Not the same, but new, and whole.

A sweet paradox, traveling from one home to another. ❤

Green Green Grass of Home by Claude “Curly” Putman, Jr.

The old home town looks the same
As I step down from the train
And there to meet me is my Mama and Papa…
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home

Writing Circles

On By Piano girl4 Comments

I have so enjoyed participating in Ali Grimshaw’s writing circles. They are a positive time of listening, writing, and responding. I’m excited to have one of my poems shared today on her blog. Check it out along with Ali’s work at flashlightbatteries.blog

As I continue to lead writing circles, I am inspired by the hearts and generous listening of others. Every time I write with others I am changed and lifted by the experience. Here in this space I am calling, Poems from the Circle, I will be sharing poems written by participants of my writing circles. […]

Poems from the Circle — flashlight batteries – poetry

Twenty-Seven Years

On By Piano girl11 Comments

Today is our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary. That sounds like a long time. Over half of my life.  

When I started thinking about our anniversary, my mind first went back to the day before our wedding. 

Family and friends together, lots of laughter. A simple rehearsal at Rolling Hills Church, dinner at AQ Chicken House, and the final episode of the T.V. series, “Cheers.”

My thoughts quickly moved forward through the wedding, honeymoon, raising three kids, all the places we have lived. It’s amazing how many memories can fill my mind in such a short few minutes. There are so many stories I could share.

But then, my train of thought changed. I didn’t need to write about the past. Nor did I need to think about the future. I only needed to focus on the day at hand. And what it signifies for us both.

This anniversary reminds me that forever is really about commitment. And that commitment has little to do with feelings. It is a promise that runs much deeper.

There is a phrase we often say to each other-You’re stuck with me! Yes, it is spoken in humor, but also carries truth. A truth understood from the day he proposed-this is forever. We are in it for the long haul.

Marriage has shown us our strengths and weaknesses. There is a balance created when we accept those strengths and weaknesses in each other. One would not be the same without the other.

I can’t imagine my life without Gart. Our journey has been quite an adventure. Filled with ups and downs, tears, and lots of laughter.

Here’s to twenty-seven years of marriage. I approach the day with a grateful heart. No worries about yesterday or tomorrow. Only resting in the promise that brought us to today.

Happy Anniversary, Gart! I love you! ❤

And don’t forget-you’re still stuck with me! 😉

This Road

On By Piano girl3 Comments

The road
Once clear
Now obstructed
By unexpected
Roadblocks
Detours
Up ahead
Which way to go?

A new road
Comes into view
Along with
A new role
Not the one
Expected
Or desired-yet,
Gracefully accepted

Potholes trigger
Full stops…
But, gentle truths
Faithfully
Push forward
Erasing any
Thought of
Turning back

Moving ahead
A quiet whisper
Provides assurance-
Trust and follow
Nothing can take you
Out of my hand
Don’t turn back
This road is best

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:16

Take me Home, Country Roads by John Denver

No Reason

On By Piano girl2 Comments

I notice you smiling
And ask why
Oh, no reason, you reply
Your answer doesn’t satisfy
But asking again
Might seem a little pushy
So, I simply keep watching

I see your smile fade
And ask why
Oh, no reason, you reply
Your answer doesn’t satisfy
This time I push
Ever so gently
And ask once again

Are you ok
I smile and say
Waiting until you
Share the reason
Behind the expression
Only then do I see
Your smile return

Then, I continue
Watching you smile
So as not to miss
Another moment
When you answer
No reason-but mean
Exactly the opposite

From Me to You by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

…always

On By Piano girl2 Comments

The wind blows
A sturdy tree
Leaves dance
Branches wave
As if to say,
Come with me!
Like a mom
Calling to her child
Run to me!
I will catch you
The wind will
Carry us away


Where will it take us?
I do not know
But we will go together
Our very own adventure
How long will we be gone?
I do not know
Only time will tell
Minutes, hours, days
One thing is certain
Each journey will
Stay with us
For a lifetime

As the steadfast tree
Continues to call
Waving branches
And dancing leaves
Waiting to embrace
And carry me away
I also stand
With open arms
Ready to embrace you
To share another journey
Wherever the wind
Carries us…always

For Robert & Erin, Rachel, and Ryan~The reasons I love being a mom. ❤

Question?

On By Piano girl4 Comments 
Question of the week-
Which is harder
Only seeing faces
On a screen
Or seeing faces
In-person, yet
From a distance?

The computer screen
Filled with little faces
Smiling, waving, singing
An adventure
Controlled chaos
No group hugs
Yet, welcome connection

The short visits
In-person, tho
Physically distant
No pats on the shoulder
Yet, beautiful smiles
Kindly delivering
Much-needed messages

Both experiences
Bring a rush
Of emotions
Tears, happy and sad
Despite attempts to
Swallow the lumps
In my throat

Maybe it’s not
A question of difficulty
Instead, a reminder
Both complex
And beautiful
Of how desperately
We need each other

Up On the Roof by Carole King/Gerry Goffin
"And if this world starts getting you down
There’s room enough for two…"