Tag: life

Christmas Eve Smiles

On By Piano girl9 Comments

Since Dad passed, Mom has asked several times if there was anything of his I wanted. Initially, I took a couple of his sweater vests. I knew how much he liked wearing them. My mother-in-law made a sweet teddy bear from them that now sits in my studio.

When Mom would ask again, I really couldn’t think of anything else. That is, until this past weekend.

While in Little Rock picking up Mom for Christmas, I noticed my niece wearing one of Dad’s Razorback sweatshirts. It made me smile. And it helped us talk about him and how much we miss him. So, I asked about his other Razorback shirts.

Mom brought out two long-sleeve T-shirts and a jacket for me. I wasn’t sure if I’d wear them, but having them seemed right. If you know my dad, you know he loved to cheer on the Razorbacks. If they happened to be playing on network TV, he would watch. Otherwise, he had his radio nearby and tuned in to listen.

Well, today is Christmas Eve. And I decided to try on one of the shirts with some black leggings. Turned out to be the perfect choice. I miss him so much. But today, I am smiling as I remember.

Happy Christmas Eve! ❤️

Lessons in Unity

On By Piano girl2 Comments 
Colors fly past
My periphery
Golden browns
And burnt oranges
Sewn together 
With threads of
Yellow and green
A heavy quilt 
Covering the cold
Winter ground-
Tiny feathered creatures 
Rest within the soft
Patchwork 
Until ready
To announce 
Their presence 
Rising and falling 
A mesmerizing 
Magic carpet
Murmuration
All moving 
Together as one

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Have a Seat

One last sit
On the couch
Walk around the
Neighborhood
Swing on the swing
Slide down the slide-
Cleaning out
Packing up
Off on a new
Adventure-
Life’s changes
Don’t always
Provide opportunity
To savor the lasts
But when it does
May I suggest
Sitting on that
Old couch
Just a little bit longer-

Our daughter moved this weekend. Not far away, thankfully. 😉 As we talked about the specifics of loading and unloading, she reminded me of an earlier move.

The kids were young. We were preparing for a big move, and had a moving sale. Our things displayed in the front yard. I will never forget one request from the kids. Can we please have one last sit on the couch?

After all these years, I think I’m beginning to understand the wisdom in their request. ❤️

Not a Thief

On By Piano girl4 Comments 
Colors fading
Frail frame
Shivers
Awaiting
Winter’s coat
Yet, in the light
Of the morning sun
Beauty shines
Unmistakable
In a life well-lived
Grace on display-
Perhaps time
Is not a thief
Afterall
And instead
Brings us 
To a place
Of inspiration
Able to set
A wise example
For those afraid
Of what’s to come-
Reassurance 
Revealed
In the wisdom
Of so many seasons
Come and gone

Tiny Apartment

On By Piano girl2 Comments

I’ve been known to say
-Referencing a
A certain time
In my life-
I was quite a mess!
Thought I hid it well
At the time
But truthfully
Some things
Cannot be hidden-
Insecurity paired
With indecisiveness
Those two should not
Be left unattended!
Neither should
Guilt and regret
Those four took up
Way too much space
In my tiny apartment
Thankfully, circumstances
Required interactions outside
The voice in my head
And eventually, I was
Able to say
I’m no longer a mess!
Hmmm…what would be the opposite?

Sharing a poem from a recent writing circle facilitated by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ Perhaps you can relate. 😉

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl14 Comments

Yesterday, I celebrated my 56th birthday! And my oldest son celebrated his 29th. I’ve been a mom for 29 years. This year, I watched as my son became a parent. And Gigi is now on the list of names to which I answer. What a gift!

Perfect gift from my husband. ❤️

Enough Time

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Sometimes
Autumn leaves
Fall quickly
In an unexpected
Whirlwind
Causing whiplash
Not enough time
To sit underneath
Their wise shelter
No time to say
Farewell
Sometimes
Gentle rains
Arrive late
And the colors
Of Autumn are
Slow to change
Lovely leaves
Hold on just
A bit longer
An extended farewell
Still not enough time
There is never
Enough time
When it comes to
Goodbyes

Driving Home

On By Piano girl8 Comments

Parallel lines
Well-planned grids
Built to intersect
And connect
It all sounds
So logical
Like tracing
A map with
My finger
While my eyes
Follow along-
But one glance
In any direction
And all of the
Straight-line logic
Melts into a sphere
And I am surrounded
By earth and sky
Peace and hope
Past, present, and future
How is it possible?
Sensing the vastness
Of this universe
While driving down
The highway-
I don’t know how
But it happened to me
On a Tuesday

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl9 Comments

I was anxious about the day-our first Thanksgiving without Dad. It was a lovely day. I enjoyed catching up with my extended family. Laughing with my husband and grown children. Snuggling with my sweet granddaughter.

Thinking about how to handle my emotions before the day arrived proved helpful. Though I missed Dad, I did not want it to be a sad day.

There was a moment when tears began to swell. I took a deep breath and snuggled sweet Emi a little closer. Then watched the day unfold-thankful.

One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories! ❤️
Sweeter than pie!