Tag: friendship

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl11 Comments

Yesterday, we celebrated the marriage of our daughter, Rachel, and her fiance, Austen. Surrounded by family and friends, they promised to love and care for each other, no matter what.

Their smiles spoke as strongly as their words.

It was a beautifully perfect day, covered in clear blue skies, heartfelt vows, and love expressed for the happy couple.

So many emotions were felt and memories made. This mom needs time to reflect. But one thing is for certain, the Father of the Bride and I could not be happier. 

More to come…❤️

Kirkland Chapel
Flower girl 🤍
Lovely Reception

Necessary Companions

On By Piano girl5 Comments


Though its comings and goings
Are fairly gradual
It sometimes seems
To disappear in a snap
Leaving us to wonder
How it gave in so quickly
To its counterpart-
Not sure they are friends
Light and dark
But their cooperation
Is necessary
For our survival
One allowing us to rest
And sleep, and dream
Freeing space
In our hearts and minds
To notice a beautiful
Brushstroke of the other
As it paints pink across
Smiling sunrise clouds

Interlaced

On By Piano girl2 Comments

We hesitate to say
It is so good to see you!
When the circumstances
Bringing us together
Are times of sadness
Yet, those are the times
Seeing you is most needed-
A knowing smile
Through the tears
A quick but strong
Grasp of the hand
A sweet, simple hug
The truth that one person’s life
Has the power to influence so many
On display in real-time with real people
Gathered in an honest attempt
To provide loving support-
Go ahead and say it
It is so good to see you!
Connections interlaced
With grace and
Gratefulness

While seated at a funeral yesterday, we noticed many familiar faces. Memories of my father-in-law’s service eight years ago immediately came flooding back. Many of the same faces were in attendance that day.

Eight years ago, we were the family sitting up front. Yesterday, we were part of the support. Connections across years of life’s experiences.

Community

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Dear Friends, I have shared before about my sweet friend and former student. She is a precious soul whose life has been anything but easy. Traveling between countries, and enduring years of abuse, all on top of having intellectual disabilities.

Since she is now over eighteen, she lives in an adult companion home. It is comparable to foster care. I am her legal guardian outside the home. She is in desperate need of dental work and there are no funds to assist.

We are asking for help for her. If you are so inclined, you may click on the link to learn more. https://gofund.me/2d38c145

Guardianship day at court.
High school graduation.

Alike and Different

On By Piano girl8 Comments

Often described
Using words such as
Fluffy, whispy, thin
Their colors varying
From white to gray or blue
Even pink or red
Depending on the position of the sun-
Constantly shifting
Changing direction and shape
As they gently float past each other
That is until light disappears
Pressing them together
In the darkness
No longer able to hold their fear, anger, confusion
And it pours out in a furious storm-
Unlike us, they have no choice
In the length of their encounters
Or the strength of their stormy release
Like us, they have power
To spark imagination
And provide a moment
Of sweet relief on a
Blazing hot summer day-
They, by offering refreshing shade
Us, by giving a glass of water
And a friendly smile

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl3 Comments

Full Circle

From present to past
And back again
One step in your direction
And time was somehow erased
Another glance
And I saw us both
As younger and older
In the very same second
Smiles and hugs
Remember when’s…
But only a few-
Those memories
Were already lived
Now was the time
For sharing the space
That passed in between-
A foundation of knowing
And now a re-knowing-
You said it was a
Full-circle moment
And I think you were right

To friendships, old and new. ❤️

Perfectly Fastened

On By Piano girl5 Comments 
Can one heart
Have too many
Connections?
I’m not sure
I don’t think so
Can’t think of 
Any chords I would
Choose to cut-
Some are stronger
Than others
Some longer
But only a few are
Perfectly fastened
With each beat of my heart
Those are the ones
Keeping me alive
Or rather, making me
Want to be my 
Best version of Alive-
I don’t always
See that version
In the mirror
But I know she’s there
Waiting for me
To give her some
Attention

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Kind words
I didn’t know
I needed to hear
You look so pretty
So grounded
From someone
Who has not seen me
In almost a year-
Heartfelt words
Offering
Reassurance
That time
Paired with
Effort and grace
Carries restoration

Twice this week, I ran into friends who are former colleagues. Smiles, hugs, and kind words filled the space we occupied. The visits were brief but left me feeling encouraged.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl9 Comments

Sometimes an
Easy decision
Is difficult
To make-
Kind words
Well wishes
Sweet treats
Sending me
On my way to
New adventures
Goodbye
See you later
Bear Hugs
Tugging at my
Heartstrings
I’ve been here before–
Acknowledging
Each decision made
Affects more than
Just the decision-maker

On Monday, I am starting a new job! The work is different (more on that later,) but the place is familiar. Union Public Schools has been part of our family for twenty years. I am excited to be returning, although not as a teacher. In some ways, it feels like going home.

Saying goodbye to my current co-worker friends was bittersweet. I will miss them. ❤️

Mid-Week Smiles

On By Piano girl5 Comments

Sharing two poems from this month’s writing circle. Grateful for time to write, listen, and reflect with this sweet group of individuals. ❤️ https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ with Ali Grimshaw.

What is Your Favorite Color?

I have always
Only had one
Some people
Periodically
Choose a new one
Like my sweet niece
A new color
For each new year
But not me
Can’t let mine go-
I sometimes wonder
Why it’s my favorite
Then quickly remember
There are too many
Reasons to count-
An endless sky
On a clear summer day
The vastness of the ocean
As it fades into the horizon
The kind eyes of my dad
The bright eyes of my granddaughter
Only a few examples
From an endless list
Painted in shades of blue

A Sweet Rescue

Can you imagine being
Completely covered
In sticky, sweet honey?
Unable to enjoy
Even the tiniest
Of tastes
Due to the
Unpleasantness
Of clogged ears
And glazed eyes
Unable to shift
Even the smallest
Of limbs
Stuck
All alone
Waiting
To be rescued
From your immersion
In too much of
This golden goodness
Relieved
When friends arrive
And carry you
Back to your hive
Lesson learned-
A little honey goes a long way!