Tag: love

To Be Carried

On By Piano girl7 Comments

Smiling
Both of you
Small arms
Wrapped tightly
Around strong
Shoulders
A long walk
From the shelter
Of home
Out into the world
A long walk
For one of you
Anyway-Loving father
Lowering your son
Until both feet
Are planted firmly
On the ground
Son happily
Running ahead
No thought of
Looking back
Knowing
What it feels like
To be carried

This week’s morning duty involves greeting students as they enter the building. Some hop out of their cars and make the short walk to the door. Others walk or ride bikes from their neighborhood. Still, others ride a bus.

It is interesting to watch all the differing interactions. Parents and children, siblings, friends. Most days, there is a mix of smiles, tears, and yawns, both the kids and me. 😉

This morning, I couldn’t help but notice one scene. A dad was carrying his son toward the building, both smiling. So much love and security. A perfect picture! ❤️

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl6 Comments

Conversation Continued…

Part one here. 💛 Conversation in the Sun

Thank you for
The encouragement
Didn’t think
Anyone had
Noticed-starting
To feel a bit
Better

Oh! I’m so glad!
Your color is
Returning
Along with your
Strength

I do have one concern…

Yes?

If I stand any taller
You will be out of my view
And you’ve helped me so much

That’s ok. You will know
That I am here
That my face
Is being warmed
By the same sun as yours
And I will be able
To see your gentle waves
Floating on the breeze
And know you are
Waving at me

The distance between two hearts cannot steal the hope they share.

Conversation in the Sun

On By Piano girl12 Comments

One lonely
Bloom
Fighting
To stand up
Underneath
The weight
Of recent winds
And rain
A tiny speck
In the vastness
Of this world
Has anyone noticed?
Bent so low
Only able to
See my shadow
On the ground
As the sun
Shines above

Hey! Over here!
Bend your ear
My way
It seems you have
Grown weak under
The pressures of
Life in this garden
Don’t lose hope
Rest, recharge
Together
Our roots will
Grow stronger
And you will
Once again
Stand up tall
Your face
Soaking up
The sun’s rays

Tangible

On By Piano girlLeave a comment

Took a walk
Down memory lane
At first, it felt
A little strange
Twenty years
Have passed
And I am
Not the same
Where did the time go?
The answer is not
Found in words
None can
Adequately
Express
No, the key to
Understanding
The then
To the now
Is much more
Tangible-
Experienced
Thru the power
Of a lingering hug
Able to stop time
Inviting memories
To flood the soul
And affection
To fill the heart

New Chapters

On By Piano girl4 Comments

Gart and I will be married twenty-nine years in May. We have lived in seven houses and one apartment. Furniture in those early days was often passed down from family. Maybe something we could buy cheap from a friend. No matter that it was used. Once we had it, it was ours.

We recently bought a sectional for our living room. Now everyone has a place to sit when the kids visit. That left us with a leather loveseat to sell. There was just no room to keep it.

A couple inquired and set a time to come check it out. After sitting in it and propping up feet, they decided this was the one for them. The first furniture purchase for their new home. We helped them load it, threw in a couple of barstools, and wished them well. ❤️

That was us all those years ago. Such babies.

I know! We did ok.

Ghosts

Saw ourselves
In both of you
Almost like
Seeing ghosts
Young couple
Starting out
First home
Excited, nervous
Buying used furniture
Our furniture
I could not
Stop smiling
Fought the urge
To wrap you up
In a hug-Tell you
What an adventure
This life will be
But we don’t know each other
Best wishes for your new home!
Hope you enjoy the loveseat!
And you drove off
Ready for your journey
Not really ghosts
But a sweet reminder
Of where our story began
And the chapters
We have written so far…

Wet With Tears

On By Piano girl2 Comments

Way too young
Senseless death
Gun violence
Once again
This time
I can’t ignore
Won’t let my heart
Become numb
This time
I can see
The one left behind
Her heart
Broken into pieces
That may never
Fit back together
No matter
The time
That passes-
Right now
The grief is fresh
Eyes wet with tears
At the mention
Of her loss
Or a gentle hand
On her shoulder
Don’t hide them
Though they fall
Because of loss
They also fall
Because of love

This story is one of many. Too many. Young adults ready to take on this world, taken too soon. Though it is not my story to tell, listening touched my heart. I could not walk away without taking time to acknowledge the grief, the hurting left behind. And also the love and strength showing through the pain. 💔

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl6 Comments

Hearing Again, Listening

Some stories we hear over and over. Ones from our childhood, our family’s history. It is easy to hear without listening. But when we really listen, we often learn something new. View that familiar story in a new light.

Yesterday, I heard a story I’ve heard before. But somehow, this time was different. This time, I saw the parents, my parents.

I was two years old. We lived next door to my grandparents in the country. (My parents still live in the same house.) Mom had done office work but was not working at this time. Dad worked as a carpenter.

One morning, I woke up covered in red whelps. Quite upsetting for young parents. They loaded me in the car, and we headed to see the doctor.

I had an allergic reaction, most likely a food allergy.

Grandpa and Grandma had a milk cow. And I had been drinking fresh, raw milk. Apparently, something in the cow’s feed did not sit well with me.

The prescription was simple. Go to the grocery store. Buy ham and applesauce. Only feed her those two things for an entire week.

Here’s the catch. Mom and Dad only had eleven or twelve dollars to their name.

They went to the grocery store. Bought ham and applesauce. And all three of us had the exact same menu for the following week.

Mom always laughs when telling this story. It is not viewed as a negative story. It is a doing what you must story. But this time, I heard it as a sacrifice story.

My parents did not ask anyone for help. They did not complain about eating ham and applesauce for a week. They did what was needed to take care of me, thankful for a solution.

I can picture them as I’ve seen in photos. Young, first-time parents. Nervous and concerned. Loving their little girl. That little girl just happened to be me.

Morning Drive

On By Piano girl4 Comments

The deluge
Was instantaneous
No drops of rain
Marking dry pavement
In individual circles
With their warning-
Here we come!
No, a flood
Soaking me
From head to toe
Leaving me
Floating
On my back
Waiting for the sun
To dry my skin
As it teaches my heart-
Emotions may arrive in a flood
But the memories
They are drawn from
Remain in the warmth
Of the sunshine
On my face

Why is it always during morning drives? It happened just yesterday. Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. One single thought-Boy, I’m missing the kids.

The missing quickly changed to remembering. Remembering followed by looking forward to upcoming visits.

I know I’ve said it before. But that’s how it goes when you’re the parent of adult children. Today, I’m thankful for texts and phone calls. ❤️

Simply Sunday

On By Piano girl3 Comments

In my younger years, cemetery visits puzzled me. Not the initial ones to say goodbye and pay respect. I had attended the funerals of my grandparents.

It was the return visits I had trouble understanding. Marking anniversaries, birthdays, holidays year after year. Wouldn’t they just bring more sadness?

Yesterday, I visited the cemetery with my husband and mother-in-law. The place we said goodbye to my father-in-law six years ago.

I am no longer puzzled. Yes, there is sadness. But more importantly, there are sweet memories. And so many reasons to be thankful.

Missing two sweet souls from this photo. ❤️

Walking down the path
To where we said our goodbyes
Remembering you

The Invitation

On By Piano girl9 Comments

The snow fell
Light and fluffy
Gusty winds
Caused confusion
As to how much
But the snow fell
White and bright
On the ground
It called my name
In the morning
Here I am!
It called again
At mid-day
Still waiting!
It tried one more time
Daylight is fading
You’d better hurry–
Cautious steps
Bended knees
Body outstretched
On the ground
Giggling like a child
Answering the invitation
To be wrapped up
In a moment
Of pure joy

The snow finally came. And yes, I made my snow angel. Gone are the days of playing in the snow until our hands and feet are frozen. These days, I enjoy its beauty from the warm inside. But I could not let this snow pass without making that snow angel. I’m so glad I listened to my heart. And that my husband was there to help me up off the ground!

Guess who? ❄️