So many things I take for granted.
Today, I am embracing the simple.
Thankful that the sun is shining.
Thankful that the breeze is crisp.
Thankful for the ability to talk on the phone.
Hearing my dad, You will always be my little girl.
Hearing my mom, I am ok. We will trust God to take care of us.
Dad is in the hospital in Arkansas.
Mom is there with him.
I am at home in Oklahoma.
Such is this life. And that is ok.
Thinking in terms
Of my life story
At this moment
Feels a bit
Daunting
Contemplating
What I know
And wish I knew
About my own
Grandmothers
Naturally shifts
My perspective
So much more
They could have
Would have said
Given more time
Asked more questions-
Motivation to
Open the book
Begin writing
One word
One sentence
One memory
One song
At a time
Another year
To celebrate
Family
Friends
Goodwill
And cheer
Mercy
Grace
Forgiveness
And hope
A precious gift
Tiny baby born
Lying in a manger
Sleeping among
The animals
Listening to
The Lullaby
Of angels
When I consider Christmas past, some gifts stand out. The jewelry box from mom and dad that was also a music box! Dolls of the World from my Aunt Sharon. A voice print of my kids saying Mama from Gart. How my Granny Mahar always had a gift for each of her twenty-six grandchildren. ❤️
Great or small, each gift was given in love. And each giver holds a place in my heart.
I’ve been called sentimental more than once. There’s no denying it. But the older I get, the more my sentiments rest on people, not on things. Each memory is a gift held in the heart. Tied together by an unending ribbon of affection, six-inch curls in between. 😉
Silent Night, arranged by Phillip Everen Kelley Morris, piano
Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi Kelley Morris, piano
Merry Christmas!
Strength and Beauty
Were present
From the start
Kindness and
Consideration
Toward those
Different from her
Emerged early on
The intrinsic notion
That different
Does not translate
Into less than
That we all
Have a place
In this world
And sometimes
An advocate is needed
To help others
Realize their abilities-
Compassion
Turned to passion
Passion to action
Goals set
Challenges
Accepted-
A bright light
In my life since
The day she was born
And to countless others
Throughout her journey
Our sweet daughter, Rachel, graduated from KU today with her Master’s Degree! She is a high school special education teacher, specializing in transition services. We are so proud! ❤️
What makes a year?
Logic says
Seconds, minutes, hours
Days, weeks, months
Equally spaced
To help us keep track-
Of what, I’m not sure
Oh, there’s no denying
The answer when
My birth year
Is subtracted
From the current year
But the larger
That number grows
The less it represents
Anything equally spaced
What makes a year?
My heart says
The love of others
The beauty of nature
Grief, heartache, and loss
Faith, hope, and love
None of which
Fit into any calendar
All of which
Even the torn edges
Can be transformed
Into a much-cherished
Collage of memories
It’s too quiet
Something my mom
Used to say after
Our holiday visits
Well, actually
After any visit
Once their nest
Was empty
And although
Our nest is
Not quite empty
I’m beginning
To understand
The sentiment
A flurry of activity
The aroma of food
Being prepared
But mostly, the voices-
Once they return
To their own homes
The quiet leaves space
For melancholy
And missing
But mostly, the quiet
Leaves space
For memories
And a grateful heart
A day filled
With family
Young and old
Enjoying
Tasty food
Prepared by
Ones I love
Ones who
Love me
Precious
Minutes
To watch
And listen
Smile and
Wonder-
Full heart
Calm mind
Tired body
Ready to rest
In the peace
Left behind by
Thanksgiving
Not all of our family could be with us today. And though we missed them, it was a wonderful time filled with reasons to be grateful. The house was full of laughter, stories, and heart-to-hearts. My husband, Gart, worked hard to make it a great day. He is quite the chef! And I am a lucky girl! ❤
What a perfect beginning to this Thanksgiving week-a writing circle hosted by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. I was reminded once again of the importance of gratitude. Happy Monday! ❤
What have I given of myself today?
Was it more
Than a thought
Or a simple prayer
Did my focus
Remain inward
Or did I take time
To see you coming
Slowly walking
In my direction
Wondering how
I might respond
Or if I would
Offer a smile-
Fairly certain
I received one
For it left a hint
Of happiness
As you passed by
More precious
Than any present
I could have received
What have I given of myself today?
Our hands reveal
So much about
The lives we live
My dad’s hands
Are rough and strong
Calloused from years
Of carpentry
My mom’s hands
Are softer
Her work required
A different touch
And yet, time
Is reflected in both-
I notice changes
In my own hands
Spots on my skin
Aches in my fingers
While thinking about
Hands I have held
Some briefly
Others lingering-
But then you
Held my hand
A lasting touch
That began at
The tips of my fingers
And worked its way
Into the depths of my heart
The question
We always ask
Our children
What do you
Want to be
When you
Grow up?
It’s funny
I seem to be
Answering
That question
For myself
These days-
When I grow up
I want to hold
Your tiny hand
Watch your breath
Rise and fall
In the smallest
Of motions
Hear your cries
Comfort your fears
Feel the complete joy
Only found
In the heaviness
Of rocking
Back and forth
In our favorite chair
Reading our favorite stories
Singing our favorite songs
My heart younger
As yours grows stronger
My job was to stir
Sounds simple
A wooden spoon
Round and round
But I remember
Heat rising from
The slow-to-boil
Sweetness
My dad was always
Nearby, of course
In case little hands
Became tired
It only took
Helping one time
For the tasty
Result to be
Permanently
Etched in my soul-
How is it that
Precious details
Are so easily
Forgotten-
Eating the remaining
Warm chocolaty filling
Out of tiny glass bowls
Once my dad filled
His homemade pie crusts-
May my memory
Of a yesterday
Erase any complaints
From today
Piano Girl 