“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”
~ Lady Bird Johnson ~
Heads bowed, a quiet
Thank you! for protection
during the stormy night
Now, rain barely falls.
And they nod, barely aware.
Faces turned toward
the afternoon sun-
Their preference-maybe later
Solemn quiet allows space
for a prayerful song
Growing deep from within
where roots, long forgotten,
began to wake due to the
Slow seeping of evening
rain reaching the underground
A renewed purpose-Holding
strong, so the faces above
remember their origins
Reassurance that they will
again turn their faces to the sun
Knowing from their current
posture, future sunlit faces
will accompany grateful hearts
Tag: love
Simply Sunday
Questions
More and more questions
Many answered before
the realization that
They even lived
What should I wear today?
What do I want for lunch?
What time should we leave?
Questions that serve
to move my feet
through the physical
And then there are
those questions that
cause me to pause
Why do I smile when the trees speak to each other?
Why does the smell of sawdust remind me of Dad?
How is it a terrible storm leaves behind such peace?
Questions that simultaneously
freeze and thaw my heart
As I consider the answers
Answers that will undoubtedly
change with age and experience
As long as I continue to ask
One of Many
A person can only fall
through so many cracks
And she has fallen through
many in her short life
Her sassy, sweet disposition
somehow remains
I’m not sure mine
would have survived
A history of being abused,
neglected, treated as less than
Years of reports leading nowhere
until circumstances could
no longer be avoided
Layers and layers of trauma
paired with intellectual disabilities
Finally, in a loving home with
People who are willing to love her
through the challenges
Always a battle for services-
physical and mental health,
unable to advocate for herself-
Reliance with no awareness
But that’s ok- she is who she is
A person- deserving
of love, respect, life
Her story is one of many
Do you know her?
Do you know him?
Will you keep your heart open
In case they pass your way?
One day, I hope to share more of her story. A frustrating phone call today brought a flood of emotions. She is okay. The system is not.
Reunion
Their hair, now white
But their faces hold
familiarity, reassurance
Logic causes confusion
And my brain and heart
disagree over time’s passing
As they stand nearby
Smiling and talking
I feel a flicker of childhood
My reflection disagrees
But for a brief moment
I am once again carefree
What do they see when they look at me?
We listen more intently
Our hugs linger a bit longer
And I understand it took a village
Another goodbye followed by
A renewed sense of gratitude
for this familiar reassurance
Simply Sunday
Happy Mother’s Day
The Space Between Clouds
Listening to Johnny Cash
Layering itself within the everyday,
grief flows between memory and
emotion through eyes, ears, heart-
Leaving me with new reasons to miss you.
Johnny Cash spinning on your
granddaughter’s turntable.
We listened to Johnny Cash
on a long drive in my car.
Your grandson wearing
one of your straw hats.
I found a picture of you
wearing said hat, smiling.
My sweet granddaughter
and her blue sky eyes.
You would have been
so excited to meet her.
Your voice in my head, fading.
How’s my little girl?
Grief flows between memory and emotion through eyes, ears, heart-
Leaving me grateful, yet
wishing you were still here.
Mom and I had a recent conversation about how we sometimes struggle to talk about the ones we miss. I get it. There’s a fear of causing tears, sadness, and increasing grief. But I’m finding that talking about my dad, remembering good times, brings peace. Yes, it may also bring tears, but tears have the power to restore. ❤️
Goals
They offer the sweetest Good Morning.
A gentle wave, almost imperceptible
when the wind is calm.
I noticed them yesterday.
I noticed them today.
They will not be here forever.
Truth is, neither will I.
Truth is, neither will you.
So, how do our Good Mornings compare?
Some mornings, the words
croak through scratchy cords
as hands rub grit from sleepy eyes.
Even on those days,
I see you smiling over
your first cup of coffee.
And I smile back-
Maybe not quite as sweet
as the Pink Bubblegum Petunias.
Their name alone makes
competing a challenge-
Though it offers a worthy goal.
Sweet Good Mornings
Conceding the temporary
Leaning into the enduring
Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌸
Rising
Do you feel it?
The growing weight
A blanket sewn of fear
and hate cast over
everyone in its path
Another layer added
with each news story,
unsolicited opinion,
misguided answer
Like being wrapped in
a down comforter on
the hottest day of summer
And I am suffocating
But no amount of worry
will ease the weight
Or change this season
Do we burrow deeper?
Do we kick off the cover?
What if I reach for your hand,
and you reach for mine-
Then together, together
Like brilliant sun rays
piercing storm clouds
We poke pin holes
in the fabric
Each aperture releasing
a breath, a smile, a memory-
Droplets of hope
Rising in solidarity
Simply Sunday
Thankful
Newly opened buds
drinking gentle
morning rain
Pines across the
way, soaking in
the afternoon sun
Downy woodpecker
perched on newly
found suet feeder
My heart seeing
Your sweet smile
through the window
My doubts fading
as other hearts
intently listen
I know the world feels heavy, but today I am choosing reasons to be thankful. Though they may seem simple, acknowledging them brings a little peace. 🩷🕊️
Catching Light
A constellation of water droplets
clings tightly to my window
Tiny spheres sparkling bright
as the brightest stars
shining in the darkest dark
So close, separated only
by a single pane of glass
not millions of light-years
My hands can touch neither
the droplets nor the stars-
Yet, each embraces me
Heart, mind, and soul-
Assuredly the most
endearing enfolding
Like the quiet twinkle
in your eyes, a welcome
endless embrace
Piano Girl 