Do not live in fear
Does not mean
I am never afraid
Live a life of joy
Does not mean
I am never sad-
When afraid
I remember love
When sad
I remember hope
Neither the words
Or the feelings
Contradict each other
Instead, they affirm
Causing my heart
To beat stronger
And my faith
To grow deeper
Tag: life
Simply Sunday
Cleaning out
Throwing away
Rearranging the old
With the new –
Changes in my
Surroundings
Open doors to more
Than simply a room-
New perspectives
For eyes and heart–
On this day, the view
From where I sit
Warrants only gratitude
Alike and Different
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
Measures
Relief, joy, calm
Emotions experienced
In different measure
At the births of
Our three children –
Circumstances varied greatly
Each one a miracle-
Whether feeling
Relief, joy, or calm
Thankfulness covered us
Like a warm blanket –
And each miraculous time
Love was the binding
That wrapped each stitch
The gentle hand
That collected each tear
While changing each diaper
Our children know their stories. They’ve heard them more than once. And they know each other’s stories. If asked, they could choose which emotion most closely matches their birth. They are also the best at describing each other’s personalities.
I’m thankful they call me Mom. ❤️
Simply Sunday
Oh, Bother
It’s not the getting older
That bothers me
Yes, I often wish
My body felt less stiff
My joints were less achy
But it’s not the getting older
That bothers me
Aging is a natural progression–
I’m beginning to understand
What bothers me-
It is the time passed
Compared to the probability
Of the time remaining
Life’s great happiness is to be convinced that we are loved. Les Miserables, Victor Hugo
On Display
Sun rays pierce
Dark clouds
Shining their light
Through the rain–
That is a typical
Description
Wouldn’t you say?
But how about this?
Sun rays shining
Over the top
Of a fluffy white cloud
Not through the middle
Somehow
Over the face
As if that cloud was
Made of cotton
Or painted
On a canvas
Hanging in a museum
Underneath the light
Of a brilliant lamp
What is the Point?
I am looking forward to spending this long holiday weekend with Mom. I am certain we will go out for lunch and to Starbucks. Oh, and probably eat ice cream. 😉 Where we go and what we do isn’t the point though. The point is spending time.
Being back where I grew up allows me time for reflecting. And in those reflections, new memories are added. With that in mind, I decided to re-share two poems I wrote several years ago.
Happy Independence Day!
Safety Net
Grandma and Grandpa
Lived next door
Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins
Numbering in double digits
Big kids played
With little kids
Running and laughing
Growing stronger
And bigger with
Each passing year
An unspoken truth
That no matter
How far I fell
Someone would catch me-
Like a little child
Bouncing on a knee
Ride a little horsey
Don’t fall down-
A truth that remains
Despite passing time
And increasing distance-
A living safety net
Interwoven from one
Generation to the next
Fourth of July
He worked hard
His entire life
Married young
Raised nine kids
In the country
Strong and stubborn
Loved to laugh
Mellowed over time-
Without a doubt
Dealt with struggles
That I never knew-
I still see him
On the porch
In his overalls
After a long day
Promising to dance
At my wedding
If I will check the mail-
Liked to argue
Loved his family
Was always ready
To welcome them home-
Looking forward to
Family gathering later
That very day-
But in the morning
While everyone slept
After waking early
And making the coffee
He sat down in his
Favorite chair
At the young age of sixty-seven
Grandpa died on the Fourth of July
Simply Sunday
You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.
—
2 Samuel 27:37
COUNTING STEPS
It begins with
The very first ones
Celebrating
As little legs
Move faster
Go farther
Grow stronger
But do I continue
Counting only for
The sake of numbers
Or contemplate
The imprints
Left behind-
There is a choice
Adjust my steps
Gentle to firm
Hasty to calm
Dependent on
Current conditions
Guided by love
Or tromp thru
Each new season
Unaware of anyone
Or anything but me
Leaving no benefit
For those following
Or walking alongside-
Accepting my steps are numbered
Making sure each one counts
Simply Sunday
It is sometimes difficult to slow down in our busy world. Phrases like Just Breathe and Smell the Roses are commonly shared. Easy to say. I hesitate to offer similar advice. And certainly don’t suggest missing an event by trying to capture every moment. But when something catches your eye or your heart, it’s okay to stop and take the picture. 📸
Who is She?
Some might say
She’s too bright
For her own good
Perhaps a bit bossy
Would take up
The whole sky
If she could-
But right away
I noticed her ability
To shine light through
The darkest of clouds
Providing pockets of joy
For anyone taking time
To look her way-
The last time I saw her
She coaxed me into
A giggly game of hide-n-seek
And I was happy for
The chance to play
I felt like a kid again
But then I had to
Get on with my day-
Hope we can visit again soon
Let me know if you see her around 😉
Piano Girl 