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. ❤️
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
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
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. ❤️
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.
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
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!
Perhaps if I
Thought of them
As belonging
To a waterfall
Freely rushing
Over the edge
Of a rock face
Skillfully smoothed
From the continuous
Flow of unexpected
Strength and sorrow
Knowing they will
Slow down
Once reaching
A quiet stream below-
Not losing purpose
But discovering
New resolve-
Perhaps if
I thought of them
As belonging
To a waterfall
I would let them fall
Free of fear
No concern for
Who might be
Standing at the lookout
Witnessing my life
In motion through
Each drop of rain
From the storms
Each spot of color
From the rainbows
Talking about anxiety and depression is not easy. When emotions feel out of balance, it is tempting to hide them. But putting on a happy face, though sometimes necessary, is not a permanent solution. Eventually, they will find a way out, often leading to embarrassment and exhaustion.
Well, at least that was my experience earlier this week. 😉
Thankful for friends and family who understand and keep me grounded. ❤️
Dense Fog
Rolled in
Last week
Came prepared
To stay awhile
Despite the lack
Of invitation
Hung around
Clouded my vision-
Got a headache
From constantly
Squinting
Until…
The tiniest
Wave of Light
Called me out
Into the clearing
And we said
Goodbye
From the other side
I continue to discover the ways of grief. Sometimes expected, often not. I continue to be grateful for the writing circle space created by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ What a gift to get feelings down on paper and share them with loving souls.
The following poem came out of our recent circle. Maybe you can relate. ❤️
It seemed like
A good idea
Frantically
Searching
Through old
Voicemails
I thought
I was ready
To listen-
The sound
Of your voice
Even from a
Recording
Would surely
Bring peace
Instead, it was
An instant reminder
Of how much I miss you-
You have not been gone very long-
Grief made her
Presence known
In the song of
Falling tears
And together
We quietly sang
A sad, yet
Grateful
Melody
Wounds left behind
By trauma’s
Repeated strikes
Scar deep
The pain pulsing
Long after
The bruises
Disappear-
Difficult to
Comprehend
Particularly when
Exacted on the weak
And Innocent-
Layers of insecurity
Lead to repeated
Questions that
Often require
Deciphering
Repeated
Questions
Requiring
Repeated
Answers-
All the above
Requiring
Patience-
Uncomfortable
Necessary work
Sewing stitches
In hopes of mending
Child abuse is not pleasant to think about or talk about. But unpleasant conversations are necessary for positive change. Acknowledgment and patience are the beginning steps.
A recent visit with a sweet friend brought this ugly truth clearly into view. But there is hope. Even if it comes in small doses. Even if face-to-face caring tests my patience more than I wish to admit…
I remain in awe of the counselors, therapists, case workers, etc who sew these stitches every day.
I’m okay
Pretty
Convincing
As long as
I’m the one
Asking the question
Moving along
Thru each day
And then
Another
Heart
Inquires
Are you doing okay?
I have asked
It of others
Sincerely
Seeking
The truth
So, even if
The response
Brings tears
As it currently
Does with me
Keep asking
Because it’s okay
To not be okay
And some days
The tears just
Need to fall
My mom and I were recently talking about the sadness and missing my dad. But also that we still have hope for tomorrow. She wisely said tears need to come out. ❤
Piano Girl 