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
Morning whispers From a cool Breeze as it Wakens the trees Mid-day melodies Sweetly strung Across the sky Celebrating blue Evening laughter From familiar voices Around the table Listening…no need to speak Middle-of-the-night Soft breaths From the rise And fall of A newborn’s chest Resting against mine As we gently rock- I can still hear them As I crawl back into bed Place my hand on your chest And wait for sleep to come
Baby, sweet baby All we know About you At this moment Is your last name Baby Morris And that you have A strong heartbeat Just beginning To grow, still Time to prepare For your arrival- But wait! We do know A few other Things about you- You are already loved You already bring joy Just by being you- Who you are now And who you will become- I can’t wait to meet you!
The kids shared this amazing news with us a few weeks ago! Needless to say, we are beyond excited! ❤️
Such a sweet way to tell me. I’ve got some work to do!
I first met the birthday girl a little over thirty years ago. She was kind and accepting even then. It is hard to believe she was my age when we met. Maybe a little younger. A mom and grandma, it seemed her life was already complete. At least, that was my perspective.
Here we are, thirty years later. It seems a lot more life has happened in that time. More grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the death of a spouse after fifty-plus years of marriage.
So now, as we celebrate her, I try to imagine her perspective. Those thirty years, though eventful, only represent a portion of her life. She did a lot of living prior.
She speaks lovingly of her parents. Just yesterday, about how her dad played the piano. Talks regularly to her siblings who are still living. Keeps up with distant relatives and old friends.
Has a love of horses that began as a child. She recalls fondly walking with her girlfriend to the stables. Pretending to gallop as they walked, then riding horses before returning home. She even bought two horses in her lifetime!
Her second horse was sold before she moved from California to New York. A job as a flight attendant at American Airlines called. And that move, that job, lead to meeting her husband. The rest is history, as they say.
So, how would such a girl celebrate her 80th birthday? Surrounded by daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law…you get the picture. Eating, laughing, remembering, and enjoying time together. And, of course, attending a horse show.
This birthday girl wears her crown of white with pride. As well as her life experiences. Sharing what we are willing to hear. Continuing to move forward, making new memories.
Didn’t think much about my choice of clothing this morning. Just felt like wearing my pink dress. Yes, I know it’s the first day of October. And yes, I do love Fall colors. But here I am, dressed in pink.
And then I saw a pink ribbon…instantly reminding me that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. A time to focus on the importance of research and early detection. A time for friendly reminders to get your mammogram!
Most importantly, I am thankful all over again for my mom. Eight years after a complete mastectomy, she remains cancer free!
Happy October! From thankful me, wearing my pink dress.
Begin with Determination Remembering As the slope Increases Baby steps Are best Requiring Less energy Rest stops Are necessary But never Long enough At some point The destination Will feel farther Away than when You started But once the end Is in sight Relief floods Body, mind, soul Celebrating while Begging for rest Time to just be In the place you Struggled to reach Grateful, tho once again Never long enough…
Yesterday, my husband and I cheered on our daughter as she ran her first 5K! Yesterday, our youngest son was in Texas, helping our oldest son and his wife move to a new apartment! Today, I remember how we were all together just two months ago, hiking to Browns Falls in Colorado. Today, I am grateful. ❤️
They entered This world One at time Their first breath An indication Of stories to come Now they come and go At various times For various reasons Like individual clouds On a blue-sky day Offering shade From the heat Of the sun Or raindrops To water the flowers And dot the sidewalk Then there are Those moments When they all Come together In a storm Of laughter That fills the air And leaves behind The sweetest calm
Looks as if You strayed Too far from Your nest Frantic chirps Both yours And your mothers Served as a clue Hard to spot In the leaves Of the shrub Outside my window But there you were And mom not Too far away She brought you A worm, twice Full Stomach Left you quiet Slowly blinking Sleepy eyes- When I checked later You were gone
Yesterday, I heard chirping outside my window. A female cardinal flew in and out of our front bed. But the chirping remained even when mom was gone. After some quiet watching, I noticed a baby in one of the bushes.
I’m not sure if birds get sweaty, but this baby looked ruffled. The small tuft on top of the head was like a toddler waking up from a nap. The temperature was above one hundred at the time.
Later in the afternoon, the baby bird was gone.
Early in the evening, we had a surprise thunderstorm. A welcomed relief from the heat. But there were strong winds and hail. I wondered about the little family of cardinals, especially the baby.
Walking into the kitchen this morning, I noticed a male cardinal sitting on a feeder. Hmmm…a quick investigation revealed that sweet baby. Now sitting on a low tree branch.
Looks like I might just be a bird watcher for the day.
There are few things I enjoy more than celebrating our children’s birthdays. Favorite meals, cake and ice cream, candles, family and friends singing.
These days fill me with questions about the passing of time. It appears so logical when looking at a calendar or clock. And yet, within the heart cannot be explained. For there, it is intertwined with memories and feelings.
Today is the twenty-fifth birthday of our daughter. And I find myself pulled between two points in time.
First, remembering those early days. Crying all the time, both of us. 😉 Never physically far away from each other. Feeling exhausted but so happy.
And the present…watching her passion for life, others, and education. Her strength and determination. Enjoying our conversations and shopping trips. Feeling proud of who she is.
Two different times, with lots of journeying in between.
Seven-inch Vinyl disc Placed on A circle Within A magic box Turn the knob Watch it spin Forty-five Rotations Per minute Place the needle Listen as it Moves across The ridges Releasing Its power Releasing The music
I saw the movie Elvis yesterday with my friend, Marina. I grew up listening to Elvis. Watched his concerts on television. Remember the breaking news on the day he died.
I also remember dancing around a record player with my cousins at grandma’s house. Hound Dog and Don’t Be Cruel were our choice of 45s. We all loved Elvis.
Elvis had a style all his own, and it was controversial. People either loved him or hated him. But his roots were honest and truthful. And his contributions to our nation’s musical heritage are of great value. I am thankful his 45s were part of my childhood.
Piano Girl 