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.
Happy New Year! I was so grateful for the opportunity to begin my day yesterday in a poetry circle. Thank you, Ali. ❤️https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
Time for listening, writing, and reflecting. Time to look back before looking ahead.
Always Room
Is there always room to grow? It is easy to remain Stationary Standing firm on This one thought I am right where I’m supposed to be Even if one leg Feels wobbly And my tears Are enough to Fill buckets- But tears can Clear a path And dumping over Those buckets Washes away fears Leaving my feet Free to move Toward something New and different Yet, also familiar There is always room to grow
Open the Door
The view outside My window Can be deceiving Glass is clear Giving a false Impression of Connectedness- Yes, I can see The sun shining Its brightest yellow The sky painted A perfect baby blue- Yes, I can see But I cannot feel The barbs dodged By neighbors As they walk Across their yards Or the biting wind Reminding them Of unknown loss- Perhaps I should Open the door Look through my own eyes Stop simply taking in the view Place me in the picture Changing the scenery While being changed
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
Snowflakes Circling Round and round Falling toward Frozen grass Too cold out For human hands Tiny birds Swooping Up and down Trees to feeder Feeder to ground Feathers puffed White bellies shining In contrast with Gray skies Gray bark All but one… Its red feathers Radiant against The wintry scene Its red crest Held high thru The winter storm
The temperature in my little corner of Oklahoma today is a whopping 5 degrees. The windchill is -16. Winds are howling, and snow is blowing. But the birds still flit in the backyard. Our feeders are full, thanks to my sweetie. 💙❄️🌬
Beautifully bare Impressions From life’s Encounters Left behind as History lessons For anyone Willing to give A little time- See the hawk Proudly perched On a branch Looking back One more time At the empty nest That not long ago Held its young Once again Ready to fly The past Held close To her heart A catalyst For change A sanctuary For reminiscing
Far away stars Shine bright Against the Night sky Rays of sunlight Suddenly pierce Gray clouds After a storm Tiny lights Gently twinkle Among the Evergreen branches- Light speaks all languages Providing Glimmers of hope Bursts of joy Moments of Mercy Only a little Is required To illuminate The Darkness
The deer had been Absent from Their usual field Concerning Colder weather Blustery winds They couldn’t Have gone far Wait! What was that? There they are Walking a path Through the brush To nearby water I suppose it was there all along
A hidden path Grass pressed down Between the rows Where others walked In seasons past Imprints remain Though kept Out of view Until a concerned Passerby needed Reassurance She was headed The right direction
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
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! ❤
Once and for all Never to be Thought of again Is that what it means to cast all my cares? As I read the words They make sense But one turn around And my worries seem To find their way back What if I picture myself Fishing pole in hand Standing at the edge Of a clear mountain lake Knowing, once I cast My line out into the water The only thing left to do is wait Knowing that the waiting Can be done with patience Enjoying surrounding beauty In excited anticipation Of what may come Or wasting sacred moments Pacing back and forth As if I have any control Over how those fish Swimming below the surface Will respond or react- Maybe the secret Is in the accepting- He cares about each worry No matter how big or small
..casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7