Wet With Tears

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

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

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

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

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? ❄️

Simply Sunday

I picture my mom
Gently folding the edge
Of an embroidered
Cloth napkin
A needle piercing
In even spaces
Crafting tiny holes
For a thread to weave
Over and under
Giving the fabric
A new strength
A renewed purpose

Hem me in
Fold in my
Rough edges
Sewing
A seam
Of hope
The stitches
May hurt
But they will heal
Giving my heart
A new strength
A renewed purpose

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

Simply Sunday

Open My Eyes

Some roads we travel daily
Others rarely
The first serve their purpose
Transporting us from
Point A to point B
The second calls to us
Invites, at certain times in life
Carries us to pinnacles
Capable of renewing passions
Often dwindled by the daily-
Roads worth traveling
Views worth beholding
Even if it means
Closing my eyes
Around the steep curves
Trusting the one in control
Will let me know
When it is safe
To open my eyes and look around
Inviting me to fathom
How far I’ve come
And how small I am
In comparison
To the vastness
Of this world

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Simply Sunday

With Hope

I stare into the dancing flames
Reds, yellows, oranges
Rising from the dry wood
Shifting on the ground

Fanning the playful flames
I warm my cold hands
Not too close-flames that warm
May also burn

Extinguishing the dying flames-
Water mixing with fire
I stare at the rising steam
The blackened wood

Leaving behind the cold
Leaving behind my worries
I walk with hope
Into the light of a new day

Renewal

I watch you
Intricately
Designed
Miniature
Works of art
No one like
The other
Dancing
Across the sky
Making your way
To the ground
To a tree branch
To the tip of my nose
I watch you
Eagerly wishing
Your numbers
Would grow
And blanket the earth
In hopeful renewal
Fall, little snowflakes, fall

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Morning News

Yesterday, I listened to an uplifting story on the morning news. An unlikely connection between two people living on different continents.

Their initial meeting was over the phone, a call intended to scam. But the man on the receiving end of the call heard something besides the rehearsed message.

In his own words, “…something in that young man’s voice. I could feel that he was a broken person.” He initiated a conversation that turned into a friendship.

If you would like to hear the whole story, check out this link. https://youtu.be/HlbCXHdRcrM

This story led to the following poem. It also made me think of a song, He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. Think I will save that for another day. 😉

Each Other’s Keepers

Sometimes heard
In the voice
Not thru words
In subtle timbres
Tiny waves of uncertainty
Rustling their way
Out from under
Rubble of worries
Cautiously searching
For one listening ear
One open heart
Two reaching hands
Willing to help
Carry the burden
Lessen the weight
If only for a moment

Will my ears hear the waves in your voice?
Will my heart see the need in your eyes?
Will my hands reach out and lift you?

My heart says you would do the same for me

Simply Sunday

For This Day

Too much time
Spent looking back
And my mind
Becomes cluttered
With only questions
No clear answers

Too much time
Spent looking ahead
And my heart
Becomes unsettled
Hovering over
All the what-if’s

Time wasted
Ignoring moments
Formed for this day
Missing opportunities
For peace to come
Right when needed

Time guarded
Thankful when
My heart and mind
Can rest securely
On the promises
Covering all my days

This past week had its challenges. Everyone in my house was sick with a cold and cough. It was the first week back to school. Needless to say, there was little time for writing or reading the words of my fellow bloggers.

In the middle of all that, I was reminded of the importance of being thankful for each day. And to look for the good in each day. It may be cold outside, but the sun is shining brightly!