Stoic He stands In the center Of the forest- Looking From behind The years of Weathered ware Show clearly So much so A passerby Might question Whether or not He was still alive Unless they Keep walking Circling The forest floor And spot his One good arm Outstretched Hand waving His face in Full view- Grandfather Tree With his welcoming Well-worn smile I’ve got my fishing pole. Are you ready to go?
Another cool and breezy day in Vermont. A morning hike and an afternoon winery visit. A yummy maple creemee. Not looking forward to the Oklahoma heat!
We drove under a canopy of trees. So thick in stretches, we wouldn’t have been able to see the sun even if it had been shining. Winding switchbacks took us to the top of Mt. Mansfield. We marveled at the beautiful views.
Some of us closed our eyes and held on tight at certain turns. Well…one of us did, anyway. But that was not the thing that caused me to gasp. Instantly feeling like a little kid. Any guesses?
Giant rocks!
Boulders with great veins of quartz running through. Some were standing solitary. Others were stacked, forming small caves. Even others with trees growing against their faces. Those might have been my favorite.
Standing in the shadows of these giants, the kid in me wanted to fill my pockets with pebbles. No, I did not. Managed to rustle up some restraint.
Instead, I stood in awe of these majestic formations. Felt the embrace of their cool breeze. Accepted their invitation to climb, stand, and sit. And finally, to walk away feeling confident, steady, and grateful.
Walking through an airport can be a tad overwhelming. Where is my next gate? The restroom? Starbucks? Ok, so maybe not Starbucks. But the level of activity and the sheer number of other people…can feel a bit frantic.
Today while walking through Chicago O’Hare airport, I heard the sweetest phrase.
Hold hands and follow me.
When I glanced across the walkway, I saw a mom standing with a baby on her hip and two other littles standing close by. The words I heard were her message to the kids. They listened, grabbed each other’s hands, and followed her.
What a precious picture. Yes, mom looked travel-worn. Her responsibilities were many. I don’t know where they were headed, but they were going together.
This scene caused me to question. Is that how God talks to me? Does he say, Look! Here are your family and friends. Just grab a hand and follow me.
Or perhaps, if unable to reach out, pick me up. Carries me like the baby on the mom’s hip. Leaving the hand-holding and following part to family and friends. Either way, I am never alone.
Side note: I really was traveling today. 😊 Spending a few days in beautiful Vermont. More to come…
Yesterday marked four years since my first Piano Girl blog post! I continue to be thankful for this WordPress family. I look forward to reading your words and continuing to find new connections.
A lot has happened in four years. Not the least of all, living through a pandemic. Times of sickness, death, isolation, masks, and vaccinations. Challenging does not begin to describe.
And yet, good things pushed their way through the muck. Extended time with family. New friends connecting across the miles thru zoom. Resilience tested and proven within so many. I even had my first book published!
No, those things do not erase current events distress from the wars in our world and gun violence in my country. They do, however, encourage me to cherish the connections I have, old and new. They remind me of the importance of loving, even when we disagree. They give me hope.
Here’s to year five! Prayers for peace. Actions with intention. Words to encourage. Stop by and say hello!
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8
In the shapes Of clouds In the leaves Of trees In the feathers Of backyard birds It is everywhere But do we recognize it? They say… It is the spice of life. Maybe there is more to it than that? In the colors Of our skin In the traditions Of our cultures In the songs Of our hearts Variety draws us in Gives us cause To pause And wonder Encourages us To embrace Our differences Before showing us How very much We are the same
I wish I knew the whole story. How your life began. The circumstances surrounding your birth. How your big sister played with you. What you were like as a toddler.
When we first met, you were bossy and tall for your age. But you had a big smile and beautiful long, dark hair. You loved flying high on the playground swings. I’m glad for those moments of joy in your life.
Schoolwork did not come easy. You worked so hard. No matter what we tried, letters and numbers couldn’t find their way into your memory banks. Not long-term, anyway.
You enjoyed listening to stories and spending time playing pretend with your friends. Somehow, unphased by the lack of remembering academic details.
Traveling between Mexico and Oklahoma seemed to be the pattern. You, your mother, and your older sister. That must have been stressful and scary. Not knowing how long you would stay in one place or where you belonged.
I wish I knew the whole story. Why the older you grew, the less care you seemed to receive. Understanding there must have been challenges in raising a child with disabilities. But still, you deserved to be cared for and loved.
What love there was somehow faded with the birth of a new baby. Slowly turning to neglect and abuse. My heart breaks over what I do know.
You are unable to tell me your whole story. Only bits and pieces. Maybe I shouldn’t wish to know it. One thing I do know is you will always wear the scars. Yet, you still manage to smile. You give and receive love. And just maybe, that is the whole story. ❤️
Our sweet friend, Marie. So glad she is part of our lives.
From a distance The distance Between them Seemed Unremarkable A series of Ups and downs Over rolling hills Around sharp curves Always maintaining The appearance Of connection Perhaps it was The alternating Each taking a turn In the lead Until rest Was required And a graceful Exchange Occurred One-hand Reaching forward The other back No need for even a glance- I suppose distance was Never really a factor As their hearts Always seemed To precede Their hands
You and I have A difference Of opinion As far as Differences Of opinion go Since an opinion Is quite often Not completely Based on facts Perhaps we could Put this one aside Yes, it seems Important now Emotions heightened With every discussion But is it worth dismissing each other? Flesh and blood Heart and soul Isn’t it worth attempting a connection? If our hands could Briefly touch Surely our hearts Would follow
President Biden spoke last evening concerning the epidemic of gun violence in our country. His words expressed sadness, compassion, and anger. His call to action was passionate as well as logical.
So many lives were lost. Families destroyed. Are we so stuck and stubborn in our thoughts and opinions? Is there no room left for compromise? I refuse to believe that is true.
One glance Then a second Wrinkled brow Curious smile Where do the mountains end? Where do the clouds begin? A closer look Would perhaps Provide answers If answers are What I seek- On third glance I choose to simply wonder At how this Humble horizon Takes over my thoughts Leaves me dreaming Of sitting At the foothills Longingly Looking up Toward the highest peak Where questions cease And peace overcomes With the passing of a gentle mountain breeze
