A childhood photo
Favorite song
Cherished tradition
Competitive game
Of cousin kickball
Why would we attempt to recreate such things?
Because memories fade
Some we hope
To never forget
Others we wish
We could forget
But time is a teacher
Showing us where
Each puzzle piece belongs
And that our personal picture
Unlike the puzzle in a box
Has no straight edges
Always leaving room
For new connections
Tag: music
Merry Christmas
I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite decorations and carols. Wishing you the joy and peace of Christmas! ❤️
Simply Sunday
Music is a foundational part of my life. It is there to help me celebrate. It is there when I’m sad. Whether playing or listening, its power is undeniable. Today seems like a good time to simply share. 😉❤️
Kelley Morris, piano
Kelley Morris, piano
Kelley Morris, piano
Red Rover
Standing
Shoulder
To shoulder
Hands held tight
Forming a
Red Rover line
Strong enough
To keep out
Any who seek
To discourage
All the while
Carrying the
Most precious
Of cargos
Our future
On their
Shoulders
A responsibility
That when shared
Shines a light
Through
The troubles
Of this day
Into the time
Ahead of us
I am not preparing to return to the classroom. It’s the first time in sixteen years. Feels a bit strange.
There are tiny tinges of sadness. I miss the Good Morning smiles and hugs from friends. The laughter of students. The sharing of music.
Teacher friends, you are my heroes! I am cheering you on from the sidelines! ❤️🍎
Simply Sunday
I continue to discover the ways of grief. Sometimes expected, often not. I continue to be grateful for the writing circle space created by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/ What a gift to get feelings down on paper and share them with loving souls.
The following poem came out of our recent circle. Maybe you can relate. ❤️
Ready to Listen
It seemed like
A good idea
Frantically
Searching
Through old
Voicemails
I thought
I was ready
To listen-
The sound
Of your voice
Even from a
Recording
Would surely
Bring peace
Instead, it was
An instant reminder
Of how much I miss you-
You have not been gone very long-
Grief made her
Presence known
In the song of
Falling tears
And together
We quietly sang
A sad, yet
Grateful
Melody
Scenes From a Movie
I love the movie, Begin Again, starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo. It’s a story about love lost and found, life lessons, and family. All of it happens around and within the gift of music.
I was recently reminded of one of my favorite scenes. Picture two people traversing the city at night. Their focus is a portable CD player and a headphone jack splitter. Technology allows them to hear the same music in a personal way.
A version of this scene happens twice in the movie. The first time, one character shares a memory with a new friend. The second time, he is seeking a second chance. Just watch the movie. Trust me!
So, what would make me think about this scene in this movie while on a plane flying to Hawaii?
My husband is techy. When traveling, we are all set with earbuds, wi-fi, chargers-whatever we might need or want for communication and entertainment. Technical difficulties? He is my guy!
As we got settled for our flight, he handed me his earbuds. I scrolled thru my iTunes, checking to see what music I had downloaded. Music playing during take-off is a must! It helps me relax.
I fiddled with the earbuds and Bluetooth settings. Before I could make a choice, music magically started playing in my ears.
My husband, Gart, tapped me on the shoulder. He smiled, pointing at his phone device settings. He had connected both his headphones and my earbuds to his iPad. We can listen together. And we did! 🎶❤️🎶
Counting Moments
It seemed so silly. Embarrassing, almost. Crying in front of a perfect stranger. A customer, at that.
He asked about music: music that reminded me of Dad. The songs could have been a playlist from my dad’s eight-track player in his truck. If playlists had been such a thing back then.
He responded with words of understanding. His eyes reassuringly glistened. We talked about how he had played piano when he was younger. Now that he was retired, he might have more time to play.
I encouraged him to continue playing. Even mentioned taking lessons. He left with a registration form in hand.
A chance meeting? Or maybe, just maybe, a moment worth counting.
Fast forward a few weeks. And a now familiar face walked in the door.
Hi, Mike!
Oh, you remember me?
Of course! I told my family how I had cried in front of a perfect stranger at work!
We both smiled. There were no tears this time.
Decided I would like to sign up for those piano lessons. When can we start?
I no longer felt silly or embarrassed. Instead, I held a moment of awe in the middle of my heart, standing in the middle of a music store.
Planting Harmony
Driving down
A two-lane road
Rows and rows
Of sprouting crops
Wrap me in
A soothing hug-
So much has
Happened
Is still happening
Above and below
The Earth to ensure
Their survival…and mine–
Within their embrace
I see logic planted
In harmonic lines
Mathematics
Mixed with music
My heart beats
In the spaces
Between each
Row of green
My soul sings
Sweet and free
Not wanting
This song to end
Near Perfect
Space Between Seems vast Both in distance And significance One nearby Easily seen But often Overlooked The other Requiring Near perfect Conditions For clear Viewing- Which holds more sway? That far-away star Or your crooked smile- Guess it depends On who you ask
Secret O’ Life by James Taylor ~Kelley Morris, piano
Einstein said he could never understand it all.
Planets spinning through space; the smile upon your face.
Simply Sunday
According to the calendar, spring begins tomorrow. Well, the sun is shining this morning in my little corner of Oklahoma. But the temperature outside reads 27 degrees. Brrrr.
The daffodils in our front yard have made me smile all this past week. Each day it seemed another one had bloomed. So, this morning, I decided to walk outside and see how they were fairing in this cold snap.
They are a bit droopy. But I am hopeful that the bright sunshine will bring back their smiles. Here are a few previously shared recordings. Hoping they make you smile. 💛
Sunshine on My Shoulder by John Denver-Kelley Morris, piano
Daffodils by Kelley Morris
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles-Kelley Morris, piano
Piano Girl 