Simultaneous Smiles

How is it
When I sit
Across the table from you
Noticing your beautiful
About-to-get-married
Grown-up smile
I simultaneously see
Your sweet smile
As you held
Your baby brother
For the first time
Your hesitant smile
On the first day
Of kindergarten
Your teary smile
On the last day
Of fifth grade-
All of them
Spun together
Into the lovely
Tapestry of you
Each thread, a memory
Sewn into my heart
I suppose that’s why
It is how it is
When I sit
Across the table from you

For Rachel ❤️

Simply Sunday

Dear Mom

I love that
You send me
Pictures of clouds
Telling me how
Pretty they are
On a particular day
Where you are
I love that you
Take time to notice
Assuring me it is ok
For me to pause
And take notice
Of the clouds
Assuring me it is not
Time wasted
But rather a time
For deep breaths
That leaves behind a
Happy, thankful heart

Simply Sunday

Term of endearment
With many versions
Each one chosen
For any variety
Of reasons
Each one spoken
For any variety
Of emotions
No matter the age
Sometimes
A girl needs
To see her Mom

Enjoyed an overnight trip to Little Rock and a nice dinner out with Mom. ❤️ Thankful for a husband who says, Let’s go!

Simply Sunday

Yesterday, I watched the movie Barbie with my friend, Marina, my daughter, Rachel, and Rachel’s friend, Olivia. The girls had already seen the movie. I was excited to go but not sure what to expect.

Well, I laughed and cried, remembered and thought. And any movie that makes me do those things? Well, I classify it as good. There was a lot to process mixed in with all the fun and I will see it again. 💗

The following line struck a chord.

“We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come.” Ruth Handler

Hop, Skip, and Jump

Tiny feet begin
To wobble
Their way out
Into the World
Each step
Bringing
A bit more
Confidence
A glance back
After each
Milestone
With a sly grin
And quick wave
Look at me, Mom!
Fall down, get up
Hop, skip, jump
Until steps
Turn into miles
And smiles
Turn into years
And I remain
Standing
Proudly watching
As you learn to fly

Guest Writer

My daughter, Rachel, wrote the following poem not long after my dad passed away. It paints a beautiful picture of the way we need and care for each other. I asked her if I could share. ❤️

Circle of Grief

Your mom needs you
Is a call to action
I do not take lightly
My Dad said this to me
After learning my mom had lost her own father
I held her tight in my arms
Breathing deep and slow
Like she had done for me
so many times before
Your mom needs us
My Dad said to her
As they prepared to leave
I imagine she held her mom tight in her arms
Breathing deep and slow
Like she had done for her
So many times before
How precious it is
To need your mom
And be needed by her

-Rachel Morris