Facing my fears-
Does that mean the same
As overcoming them?
I don’t think so
It doesn’t feel that way
In the moment
Perhaps they’re two
Different things-
Understanding fear’s roots
Proves helpful
And yet, the feelings
Do not simply vanish
Anxious, irrational fears
Of once again being
Out of control
Suddenly flood
Every part of my body-
Time to stop
Take a breath
Sit down
Look directly ahead
Or, if necessary
Close my eyes
Allow tears to fall
And that is ok-
It is helpful to have
Someone next to me
Someone I trust
Who will say
You are safe
It’s ok to close your eyes
You can open your eyes now
And when I step out
Of my comfort zone
Even just a little says
I’m so proud of you!
Tag: life
Fade to Blur
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
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
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
Simply Sunday
Mountain Lessons
Majestic, monumental
Mysterious, picturesque
Even these words feel
Inadequate when describing
The view of the mountain while sitting in the valley-
Both are beautiful
In their own respect
And I would imagine reactions vary
Depending on the one searching-
For me, the valley is peaceful
Colorful meadows, waving
Mountain lakes, reflecting
Three-hundred-sixty-degree views
Even before my eyes move
Upward toward the peaks-
Standing on the pinnacle
Peering downward
Into the valley
I am reverent, respectful, fearful
The magnitude and elevation
Melding into a wave of emotions
I cannot explain-
Only the truth of my smallness
In our beautiful and broken world
Yellow Ribbon
Perfectly content
Exploring the peaceful valley
From my seat on the rock
I glanced up, noticing
Bright yellow ribbons
Winding their way
Through the mountains
As if a painter had chosen
Just the right brush
And gently dabbed
Contrasting colors
Behind the evergreens
Creating a trail that
Graciously called out –
Don’t stay in the valley
Come to the mountaintop
Follow the yellow ribbon
Until the trees disappear
Then look back
To see how far you’ve traveled
Yesterday, Gart and I traveled the beautiful roads of Rocky Mountain National Park to the Alpine Visitor Center, elevation 11,796 feet. The views were stunning. And seeing the valley we had explored the day before from above was humbling.
Traveling on high, curvy mountain roads is a challenge for me. Just the thought of it puts a knot in my stomach. In recent years, I’ve come to understand the roots of this anxiety. And I’m grateful to have someone beside me who understands, challenges, and encourages me. Oh, and also takes some amazing photos! ❤️
Photo credit Gart Morris 3 & 4
Seeking
There is no denying
It exists in every
Corner of our world
Brokenness–
Most days, it lives
In my periphery
On the news
Down the street
Other days
It parks itself right
In the center of my heart-
The same is true of love
Whether noticed
Around the edges
Or in the center
Love holds the ability to grow
From the tiniest bits of joy-
The first chirp of the
Robin’s morning Hello!
The yellow-gold leaves
Of mountain Aspens in the Fall
The evening whisper of the wind
As it says Goodnight! to the pines –
Listening causes me to look
Seeing causes me to smile
Feeling causes me to
Open my window just a crack
So joy can find her way inside-
Do you hear the birds?
Do you see those trees?
Did you feel that breeze?
They may sound like
Unimportant things to ask
But what if those questions
Are the first notes in a
Song of hope for the one
Seeking a hand to hold
A few images from Rocky Mountain National Park today. 💛 Soaking in each little bit.
Pale Purple
Securely wrapped
In the soft, pale
Purple of morning
There you stood
In green grass
Almost over your head-
I wasn’t sure if
I’d see you
Considering the coming
Season of change-
Changes in the name
Of progress, of course
Giving little consideration
To your home-
At the tree line’s edge
Your mom stands steady
Her gaze fixed
As your head tilts
And your ears perk
Curious about this
Big beautiful world-
She is still
While you explore
Both securely wrapped
In the soft, pale
Purple of morning
Complementary
Delicate lace flowing
Across natural curves
Gently draping
The sturdy frame –
A frame strong enough
To carry heartache
From great loss
While sharing joy
From great love-
Delicate and Sturdy
Words that don’t seem
To complement-
Say them out loud
Delicate and Sturdy
One rolls off the tongue
While the other lands flat-
Even the one landing is
An integral part of the foundation
From where love and joy
And heartache and grief
Have the freedom to flow
Last night, I had the pleasure of writing with Ali Grimshaw. Ali’s blog Our circle was smaller than usual, but nonetheless filled with joy. ❤️
Simply Sunday
Heartbeats
Broken hearts
Happy hearts
Both are a part
Of this life
When we feel lost
Waiting to be found
When we are found
Hoping never
To be lost again
The heart measures
Time Differently
It never forgets
Being filled
Broken
Mended
Filled again
It never forgets
Growing, loving
Beating in sync
With another
Like the tick-tock
Of the clock
Even though an
Inaccurate gauge
Where hearts
Are concerned-
Time is fluid
Holding all
The possibilities
Of the universe
Within the rhythm
Of each heartbeat
Sharing a poem from my recent collection, Quiet Embers-A Poetry of Faith. Available at the following: Amazon, Lulu, Barnes & Noble
Piano Girl 