


Hold On
Buds will open soon
Awaiting the hummingbirds
Simple joys of Spring
Hold On
Buds will open soon
Awaiting the hummingbirds
Simple joys of Spring
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
Today feels
Anything
But simple
It feels torn
I feel torn
Sunshine skies
In front of me
Clear and blue
A stark contrast
To the images
Of gray skies
Streets filled with
Ash and rubble
Seen on the news-
My mind knows
And history tells us
Not all people
Are free or safe
From the exploits
Of evil men
Yet, my heart
Is unable
To reconcile-
An image of
A Ukrainian mom
Her only thought
Protecting her family
From surrounding
Destruction and death…
I cannot know
The heaviness
Of her heart
Yet, I must not look away
Watching
Praying
For a glimmer of hope
A family reunited
While never
Forgetting
Images snapped
By cameras-
Images of death
And innocence stolen
For all the world to see-
Do we truly see?
Every day, I drive past a field
A house and barn on one side
Two horses roaming
Rolling hills behind tree lines
It seems so simple
The roots of joy flowing from this place
On certain days
Days when the resident family of deer is grazing
Often in the early morning, I spot them
Spread-out, enjoying a quiet breakfast
Often in the afternoon, I spot them
Playing on the hills behind the trees
I always want to stop and snap a picture
But there’s never time or space for that-
Other cars and such-
I feel sad on the days when I can’t spot
My little family of deer
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
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
I did not choose a word for the year. One chose me.
I had never heard of this word until yesterday. Not a surprise since it was last used in the 16th century. As I read its definition, it seemed like the perfect choice.
Before I share my word, you need to know its antonym.
Despair-the complete loss or absence of hope.
Though I have felt sadness and grief, I can’t say I have experienced despair. I have witnessed hopelessness. It is not difficult to find. So many challenges over the past couple of years. Such is this life we live.
No more suspense. My word for the year is…
Respair-fresh hope, or recovery from despair.
I am glad it found me! Now to try using it in a sentence. 😉
Here’s to respair in 2022! 🕊
Yesterday
My steps
Were heavy
Even the ones
Taking me
Where
I wanted
To go
Precious feet
Walked beside
In the sunlight
Of a clear
Fall day
Splashes
Of color
Painting
Our paths
Until the light
Slipped away
And heaviness
Completely
Draped
Demanding
To be named
Before sleep
Could come-
Now morning,
Fragments
Remain-
But I smile
At the beautiful
Pink sunrise
I have not written about depression lately. But honesty is my goal. And sometimes, admitting how I feel is the first step to feeling better. I love the fall colors and cooler temps. But when sunsets come earlier and cloudy days are multiplied, struggle sets in.
I am thankful for friends and family who understand and remind me it is ok.
When my mind
Grows frantic
Unable to
Separate
One thought
From another
Enduring
A constant
Bombardment
Of words
Images
Sounds
An unexpected
Gentle breeze
Quiet song
Safe hug
Causes me
To be still
And pray
Hem me in
Simple words
Bringing rest
To the mind
And soul
The whole
Of me held
Together
Bordered
By a love
Unmistakable
And secure
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5
Two of us
Together
In the kitchen
Making coffee
Cleaning
Cooking
Breakfast
Blueberry pancakes
Bacon and eggs
Our grown-up
Children
Together
Around the table
Laughing
Comparing
Embarrassing
Stories
Old and new
My heart
Quiet
Listening
Voicing
Silent prayers
For contentment
Over ones
Forever
Part of us