Tag: family

Sawdust

On By Piano girl4 Comments

I see your light
Seems impossible
You are no longer here-
I cannot hear your voice
Or hold your hand
Hands rough from years
Of hard work-carpentry
I see your light
As surely as the
Smell of sawdust
From freshly cut wood
Carries me back to
My childhood and you
Just getting home from work
I see your light
In everything you built
A tiny birdhouse
Your grandson’s toybox
Our family home
Churches near and far
I see your light
Reflected in all those
You loved so dearly-
How I wish
I could see your face

How I miss my sweet Dad! There are tears some days. But there are precious memories everyday. ❤️

I wrote this poem in a recent poetry circle. Thankful for such a beautiful, safe space that allows me to be me.

Fade to Blur

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A beautiful blue design
On a soft white backdrop
Graced the morning sky-
Like a cherished dish
Whose intricate pattern has
Grown dull over time
From years spent
Holding tasty treats
Before being gently washed
Then carefully put away-
Though the design has faded to blur
The memories held
Remain clear and strong-
It may seem impossible
After so much time has passed
But certain recollections
Plant themselves deeply-
Like visiting Grandma
For a cup of coffee and a piece
Of her chocolate cake
Baked with a secret ingredient
What was that secret ingredient?
Well, that’s my memory

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl6 Comments

We celebrated our girl with a beautiful bridal shower this weekend! Her Aunt Paula transformed our home into boho sunflower magic! And her Aunt Andrea and Cousin Hannah made sure we had lots of tasty treats. The coffee punch was especially yummy!

Watching my daughter open gifts, and listening to sweet conversations was surreal. Impossible to take it all in. Another reminder of the joyful steps on this journey.

The image in my mind is clear
Not even this misty morning
Can push it away-
You are standing
In the living room
Wearing your new
Purpley-pink cape
A crown and plastic heels-
Your precious curls
And sweet smile
Posing for a picture
But I see more than a picture
I’m suddenly back in time
Sitting on the couch
Smiling back at my sweet girl-
Another shift, and I am
Once again seated
Watching you in amazement
Precious curls and a sweet smile
No longer wearing dress-up clothes
Now, standing in your wedding dress
A beautiful bride, always my sweet girl

Toward Home

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Brave steps
Only a few
Before glancing
Back toward home-
Home, that place
Of security
Holding and pushing
A beautiful ebb and flow-
You are seeking
Freedom
Independence
While she watches
Searching for the balance
Between protecting
And letting go
It’s not an easy trek
But wrapped in love
The path will show itself-
Your head tilts slightly
Curiosity taking its
Rightful Place
In your thoughts
She smiles curiously
Joy taking its
Rightful Place
In her heart

What is Love?

On By Piano girl2 Comments

It begins
With a clear
Statement
Of rules and
Regulations-
Wait.
Is that right?
I don’t think
That sounds right

A newborn baby
Senses it
Responds to it
Before comprehending
The security
That will grow
From a foundation
Built on trust

Parents express it
With gestures
And words
Unconditional
Yet, still growing
In their understanding
Of its power
As it is received
Without question-

What is love?
It is a commitment
To the messy
And the beautiful
The Unexpected
And the routine
As simple as your smile
And the light in your eyes
Washing away my fears


In the Stitches

On By Piano girl5 Comments

I have described it before
A safety net
Of people and memories
Sewn together with care
Each stitch increasing
The vastness and strength
Of the shelter
Fashioning a living
Security blanket
To wrap me
And those I love
In the knowledge that
We are never alone-
Now grown
I see myself in the stitches
Understanding even more
The comfort and
Encouragement
In this welcoming refuge
Where whether weak or strong
I am never out of place

Simply Sunday on a Monday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Seven to one
A perfect ratio
For an early morning
Trip to the zoo
Seven adults
And one little girl
Each one ready to explore
Her Aunt and Uncles
Mom and Dad
Gigi and Papa, too
I can’t think
Of a more perfect way
To spend the day, can you?

My heart is full after a weekend with all the kids and grandbaby. Lots of laughter and playing and eating. And our first trip to the zoo with Miss Emi. Now it’s time for a nap! 😉❤️

Miss You

On By Piano girl7 Comments

So many things

Missing from today

Your smiling eyes

Listening as we sing

Happy Birthday to you!

Hearing your most sincere

Thank you, I love you –

But mostly, I’m just missing you

Today would have been Dad’s 80th birthday. We love and miss him so much! But remembering his life makes us smile. 💙

Simply Sunday

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Reasons to Smile

The dense morning haze
Weighed heavy on my
Foggy morning brain
Forcing sad thoughts
To the surface-
No way around
Muddling through
The middle would
Have to do
The haze gave way
To mid-morning layers
Of grays and whites
Overlapping, continually
Trading places until
Swaths of baby blue
Smiled through the gaps–
And with no hesitation
I smiled back

Sometimes we all need a reminder of our many reasons for smiling. Time with family is one of my favorite reasons. 💗

Measures

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Relief, joy, calm

Emotions experienced

In different measure

At the births of

Our three children –

Circumstances varied greatly

Each one a miracle-

Whether feeling

Relief, joy, or calm

Thankfulness covered us

Like a warm blanket –

And each miraculous time

Love was the binding

That wrapped each stitch

The gentle hand

That collected each tear

While changing each diaper

Our children know their stories. They’ve heard them more than once. And they know each other’s stories. If asked, they could choose which emotion most closely matches their birth. They are also the best at describing each other’s personalities.

I’m thankful they call me Mom. ❤️