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
A jeans and t-shirt girl That is what I call myself Oh, I enjoy getting dressed up For the occasional night out But if you ask my preference The answer never changes- A comfy pair of jeans And a favorite t-shirt Now, those jeans can’t be comfy Without a little wear Walking down a rugged path Resting on a large rock or two Carrying smooth pebbles in my pocket- They find their purpose that way Not just a protective covering No, much more A reminder of where I’ve been- Legs crossed sitting by the fire Those jeans feel like an old friend- And the t-shirt? Well… if it’s my James Taylor t-shirt There is no contest-
Today was a virtual/distance learning day for students in our district. Yes, we know in-person learning is best. But when so many teachers, staff, and regular subs are out sick, it makes in-person learning pretty much impossible.
That meant I pushed out music lessons/activities for students on an online platform. I receive a notification each time a student submits a response. They always make me smile.
After lunch, I noticed a stack of boxes near my classroom. I quickly discovered they were the new keyboards recently ordered for my piano class! Ten of them, complete with stands, headphones, pedals. I’ve got some work to do tomorrow!
This may not have been an ideal teaching day. But there were bright spots. And here I am, sitting on the floor in front of those beautiful boxes, wearing a favorite pair of jeans and a school t-shirt. It was a good day…
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
As the new year approaches, this is my prayer-embrace 2022 with strength, love, and compassion. Noticing the things that may seem insignificant at first. For quite often, those are the things that teach me the most. Happy New Year, Friends! ❤️🕊
Sharing Stories
What a seat You’ve held All these years A quiet observer As children Skipped Up and down The road With little Thought To their age Or yours You watched As birds Flittered by Chuckled When squirrels Hopped on And off That inviting Green carpet Squirmed as Lizards scurried Underneath Then out again What adventures You’ve had- As I walked by This morning You caught My eye Made me smile- Thanks for Sharing Your stories, Old mossy rock
No Way to Travel
Painted lines Mark the middle Of the road Move too fast And the marks Merge into one- One long line Moving me Faster and faster Down the road Leaving No time For a pause No time For a breath That is no way to travel! The goal merely Getting from Beginning To end As quickly As possible Giving no mind To the trees Waving hello To the birds Singing their song To another traveler Holding out their hand Waiting To see if I will reach back
Long drives Lunches By the lake Even on The rainy days Waiting for Sunny days Means missed Moments The sun Peeking From behind A cloud To warm My cold nose Raindrops Falling From up Above To cool My rosy cheeks Your smile Reaching Across The table To hold My heart
My mom and I text often. She keeps me updated on doctor appointments and tells me how she and dad are doing. Sometimes there will be a picture to accompany the message. Here are two of my recent favorites. Both with the same message-lunch by the lake.
These two I took from the same spot, different days, months, and visits. Both beautiful in my eyes.
Working on finding the good in each day. Not just waiting for the sunny ones…
I’d forgotten The distance Required To reach you Just one step And my heart Quickened As I heard Your voice calling Thru the trees Each new step Taken with purpose The path Becoming More familiar Remembering The distance Required To reach you Answering Your song With every breath Until finally The forest cleared Revealing Every drop of Your roaring Cascade Rushing To the pool Far below- And to think, I almost left Without Visiting
After one week of visiting my mom and dad, it is time to go home. Yesterday was our last day together. We drove to Petit Jean Mountain State Park. A place that holds many memories from childhood to the present. Beautiful views, hiking trails, camping. We enjoyed lunch at the lodge and the views.
One of my favorite spots on the mountain is Cedar Falls. As we sat in the lodge, I wondered if the falls were flowing. One trail leads down underneath the falls. I’ve hiked it in years past. But there is also a shorter trail leading to an overlook.
Mom and dad said they didn’t mind waiting if I wanted to walk to the overlook. After a brief hesitation, I drove to the trail entrance and hopped out of the car. So glad I did!
Driving home on this Christmas Eve with a grateful heart. ❤️
The day Left me Deep In thought A day Covered In warm Sunlight And falling Leaves Sweet life in Your small hand Holding mine As we walked across Yellowing grass Rosy cheeks Squinting eyes As you reached up For me to lift you As you reached up And touched The red leaves Clinging To the tree A day Covered In life While also Holding space For death- I am left Thankful Clinging To rest
A Warm Blanket
Just like that The red leaves Greeting me With a smile Every day for weeks Fell to the ground Their days of Waving In the wind Left behind A few remain But if I asked I’m sure they Would admit Being ready To let go And join The others- Though I knew The day was Approaching That red blanket Was a surprise I felt sad For a moment Until I imagined The warm grass Underneath
Look at you Standing there Confidently Exposed Pieces of your Outer shell Left shimmering In the light Gentle reminder Of what was Before The release Of all that Was heavy Smiling at Passersby No longer Concerned With hiding What is Underneath Instead Baring a gift Story of Transformation- Beauty may Only be Skin deep But love And truth Grace your roots
Driving to the hospital this morning, I couldn’t help noticing the trees. Colors are still beautiful, though beginning to fade. A birch tree caught my eye. Only a few of its yellow leaves remained. As the leaves fluttered, I smiled. Look at you! 😊
My dad has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I had heard this term but now have a better understanding. It does not happen overnight. And though treatable, it does not go away. He is breathing easier and hence feeling better. Doctors are working on a treatment plan which hopefully includes going home soon.
Not having a definite timeline is frustrating. But that is ok. Life is precious. And I continue to be thankful for our time together. ❤️
Approaching Resonance Can’t quite Hear it With My ears But I feel it In my bones A slight ache Hint of what Approaches Do I stop Hibernate Until it passes? Or attempt To outrun? Perhaps I will Simply Slip-on My favorite Sweater Continue Placing One foot In front of The other Unafraid Believing When winter Eventually Catches up- I’ll be ready
I drive past a picture-perfect scene every day. Red barn, green trees and meadows below rolling hills. Offering beauty and reasons for smiling. Looking for the two resident horses is always fun. Sometimes they are close to the road. Other times, resting under the shade of trees.
Recently I began to see additional residents in the field. Deer, from fawn to buck, grazing. Now I look for them each time I pass by. Twice, I witnessed them hopping and playing on the hillside. And grazing under the shade of a sprawling tree.
I attempted a photo from my car once. No luck. Another day, I pulled into a bank parking lot across the street. Snapped several photographs but was unable to fully capture what I saw driving past.
Maybe I will try another location, maybe not. For now, the images remain in my head. And I will keep adding to my collection with each drive past.
Horses rest and roam Deer leap and play on the hill Red barn proudly stands
Piano Girl 