Thirst quenched With a cup Of cool water Hunger eased With a tasty Morsel of food Fears calmed Within the warmth Of safe shelter Hands in Desperation Seeking To survive Hands in Kindness Seeking To share Hand to hand Heart to heart Opening Doorways Fostering Pathways Linking living souls
The most recent episode of the podcast, Revisionist History, is powerful. It really made me think about the space between talking and taking action. Tugged at my heart. Glad my daughter recommended it. Take a listen. ❤️
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:35-36
So much Talk Of rights Not yours In companion With mine No, mine or yours Exclaimed Over and over IN ALL CAPS Making certain Everyone knows And no one Disagrees
How lonely It must be Concerned only With oneself Not interested In truly loving Another Or in understanding That our hearts Are Capable Of beating The same rhythm At any given Moment in time
Another poem from a recent writing circle with Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. You never know what’s going to show up on the page. And the critical voice is not invited. Love this process! ❤️
Raindrops shimmered Across the breeze Like tiny slivers Of silver tinsel Where have you been? Smiled the trees Soaking in each Bead of relief Flowers closed Their eyes Able to breathe Each blade Of grass Released an Audible sigh- Stepping out From the shelter I could feel the Gentle drip-drops Where have you been? Smiled the rain As it cooled The heat of the day From my skin Trickled down Into the crevices Of my soul Washing away The grey dust Watering seeds Long forgotten
After weeks of above one-hundred-degree temperatures, we had a two-day reprieve. A little cooler with cloud cover and a rain shower. Just the realization that it was raining brought a sigh of relief. And then feeling it along with the breeze…well, that was a whole other story.
The heat has returned today in full force. The breeze transformed into a hair dryer. Looks like it will remain for the coming week. Grateful for the rain, brief that it was. And the reminders it carried.
The ground Is parched Grass once green And inviting Grows brown Crunching Beneath my feet Trees struggle To survive Their leaves Hanging on For it’s too soon For them to fall One single spark And the results Would be Devastating Praying for rain
The Earth Is parched Tears shed in Sadness and grief But also in Reconciliation All dried up People struggle To survive Their children Hanging on For it’s too soon For them to fall One single spark And the results Would be Devastating Praying for rain
How can this be? Seems only yesterday The ground was wet With the tears of an entire world- Are there no more left to cry? I do not believe so, but what is the answer-
My soul Is thirsty Longing for A cool breeze A steady rain Not a storm Filled with Lightening And thunder No loud voices Sharing dissent For all to hear Instead, the quiet Whisper of love Sent in raindrops Coaxing our tears To once again join in Watering the ground
Sharing two poems today that I wrote in a recent poetry circle with Ali Grimshaw. If this is something you’ve considered participating in, check out her website. I continue to be amazed at the process and thankful for the connections. ❤️ https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
Hold the Door!
The same door Same hallway Same faces, mostly Day in, day out Oh, it’s a fine door Bright hallway Smiling faces, mostly What would happen if I changed my entrance? No, not a different door Just held this door For someone else Walked that hallway With intention Bravely met all Those faces Not just with a smile But with me Whatever me happens To show up that day- Honest, unafraid My heart open Ready to receive Ready to be received
Circles of Change
Thought I was walking Down a new path Confident change Was preparing To peak out from Around the corner At any minute Any corner… Any day now… But it remained Hidden-not ready To show its face Maybe I had been Walking around In a circle Seems I am back Where I started Or perhaps That magnetic Starting line Loosened its grip Just a bit Before gently Pulling me back Tugging at my heart Allowing time to grasp A new perspective- After all, life’s Biggest changes Are often felt, not seen
Tiny lanterns Too numerous To count Carefully drape The night skies A select few Are strung Between Silhouetted Pine branches Beautifully Complex And yet The simplest Of words Draw close Twinkle, twinkle little star Familiar tune Quietly hums In the night air Star light, star bright Innocent wishes From days gone Gently return The simplest Of words Tiny lanterns Driving the darkness away
I love Colorado! Our family has taken many vacations to this beautiful state. We are currently here with our adult children. We have been relaxing and enjoying the cooler temps and beautiful surroundings.
Today was a family hike. And it affected me in a way I had not expected.
I knew this hike would be challenging. 6.2 miles with an elevation gain of 941.6 ft., beginning at an elevation of 8,913 ft. But the thought of family time witnessing mountain scenery, wildflowers, and a waterfall was motivating. The views did not disappoint! But that was not what consumed my thoughts as we trekked up and back down this mountain trail.
No doubt, my hiking pace would be the slowest of the group. All the kids are in their twenties. And Gart is in a little better shape, stronger. This truth was quickly realized as we headed down, or should I say, up the trail.
I am at a disadvantage, I thought.
I was bringing up the rear. Keeping my own pace. Telling myself that was ok. But also falling behind. And we were just getting started. And then this thought popped into my head.
Is this how some students feel at school? Ones facing a disadvantage? Whether in ability, family support, or resources. How do they feel when they sense they are falling behind? Are they, like I was, afraid of not reaching their goal?
My family slowed down and waited for me to catch up. After a short break, I was placed in the middle of the pack. No one seemed to mind the slower pace. They encouraged me.
You can do this, mom! Remember, take smaller steps. Breathe and relax your shoulders.
And even though still afraid, I kept going. Even picked up my pace just a little. At our next stop, Gart suggested I take the lead. They would follow me. Of course, he remained close behind. Constantly saying I was doing great. Reminding me that I am strong.
I still had doubts, but my determination was growing. I wanted to reach the top of the trail and gaze at that majestic waterfall with my family.
We told the kids to go on ahead. They needed to move a little faster. We would see them at the top! It felt good to let them go ahead of us. Gave me even more reason to keep going. Even though my body hurt. It was hard to catch my breath. And it would take every drop of energy and willpower I could muster.
Gart and I continued together. I asked him to take a picture of an unusual flower for me. We walked over log bridges across the flowing creek several times. The water flowed underneath from the waterfall that would soon be in sight.
I was going to make it! I struggled not to cry. Needed to keep breathing. As we rounded the last corner, I saw our daughter, Rachel. Smiling, hands up in the air. You made it! A big hug and tears came. I felt so proud.
Our son, Robert, and his wife, Erin, had hiked above the falls. They waved and smiled. Ryan, our youngest, was sitting nearby on a rock and soon walked over. You made it!
The waterfall was mesmerizing. A roaring cascade of water flowed over the edge to the stream below. I sat and had a snack and some water. We took pictures. And then the inevitable. We had to go back down.
Yes, most of it was downhill, but my body was exhausted. Some spots required careful steps. But thanks to the continuing encouragement of my husband and some light, cooling rain showers, I made it back to the car.
I can’t believe I did it! Pretty sure I said that at least ten times.
In all my relief at completing this six-mile hike, I couldn’t shake those earlier thoughts about students who are at a disadvantage.
What if they had someone to pull them from behind to the middle of the pack? What if their confidence grew enough to take the lead? What if they fluctuated back and forth, working hard, supported, and encouraged until reaching their goal?
I guess today’s hike made me focus on the beauty of humanity over nature. Realizing the ability each of us has to make a difference in the lives of others. Grateful that today, I was on the receiving end. ❤️
There are times we all need to hear-You can do it! Don’t give up! You will not be disappointed when you look back at the journey and see how far you’ve traveled.
Some are deceiving Masquerading As another one Of the flowers Hiding their roots Amongst the foliage Of otherwise Healthy plants And once unable To contain Their original intent Begin showing Tiny glimpses Of green Peeking through In an attempt To steal sunlight From the buds Preparing to open Tricky they are These weeds Precision is required To squash any Irreparable damage They might cause It’s hard work Pulling them out By their roots But only after The labor is done Will the heart Be able to heal And love bloom
Any guesses as to what I did this morning? I have no green thumb, but I enjoy the flowers in our front flowerbed. So, this morning I decided to pull weeds and do some trimming. Whew! What a job!
It seemed like each time I pulled weeds from an area, more would appear. And certain ones, well, their roots were strong. I’m not sure I got them all. Truthfully, I know I didn’t. But it did make me think about my heart.
It is easy to allow weeds to get in, tying me in knots. Wrapping around the good, trying to stifle it with confusion, anger, or impatience. A simple reminder to keep doing the hard work. And then stand back and enjoy the flowers. 🌸
So many Conflicting Thoughts On one side Shouts of anger Worry and fear On the other Celebrations Claims of victory Somewhere In the middle Feeling Desperately sad Yet, believing There is a way To bridge This chasm Life is precious Feel it in my bones But it is also Devastatingly Difficult If I fail to Acknowledge The latter Celebrating The first Rings hollow Solutions Only arrive Covered In layers upon Layers of love So deep, one voice Can neither explain Nor take credit For the outcome
Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do. I Corinthians 16:14
My intention is not to simplify our current state of affairs, only to take a breath. 💔
Piano Girl 