Do you ever
Wish
You could
Spin round
And around
So fast in every
Direction
Simultaneously
Experiencing
The full sense of
Earth’s shape
As it meets
The atmosphere-
Without getting dizzy, of course
Or passing out-
For one single
Simple second
I sensed the
Enormity
Of it all
Then just as
Quickly
The feeling
Disappeared
Leaving me with
A silly smile over
Having time to
Do the dishes
Tag: thankfulness
Simply Sunday
Lessons Learned While Hiking
Begin with
Determination
Remembering
As the slope
Increases
Baby steps
Are best
Requiring
Less energy
Rest stops
Are necessary
But never
Long enough
At some point
The destination
Will feel farther
Away than when
You started
But once the end
Is in sight
Relief floods
Body, mind, soul
Celebrating while
Begging for rest
Time to just be
In the place you
Struggled to reach
Grateful, tho once again
Never long enough…
Yesterday, my husband and I cheered on our daughter as she ran her first 5K! Yesterday, our youngest son was in Texas, helping our oldest son and his wife move to a new apartment! Today, I remember how we were all together just two months ago, hiking to Browns Falls in Colorado. Today, I am grateful. ❤️
Watering Seeds
Raindrops shimmered
Across the breeze
Like tiny slivers
Of silver tinsel
Where have you been?
Smiled the trees
Soaking in each
Bead of relief
Flowers closed
Their eyes
Able to breathe
Each blade
Of grass
Released an
Audible sigh-
Stepping out
From the shelter
I could feel the
Gentle drip-drops
Where have you been?
Smiled the rain
As it cooled
The heat of the day
From my skin
Trickled down
Into the crevices
Of my soul
Washing away
The grey dust
Watering seeds
Long forgotten
After weeks of above one-hundred-degree temperatures, we had a two-day reprieve. A little cooler with cloud cover and a rain shower. Just the realization that it was raining brought a sigh of relief. And then feeling it along with the breeze…well, that was a whole other story.
The heat has returned today in full force. The breeze transformed into a hair dryer. Looks like it will remain for the coming week. Grateful for the rain, brief that it was. And the reminders it carried.
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.
Walking down the path
To where we said our goodbyes
Remembering you
Three Little Words
No, not I love you. I am sorry.
Taking responsibility for our actions is not always easy. A lesson that often needs repeating. A reminder from someone else’s example, perhaps.
The week before Christmas break at school is challenging. Emotions flowing between teachers, staff, and students cover the whole spectrum. No matter how many times we experience this phenomenon, it manages to sneak upon us.
Such was my experience with kindergarten this week…
My classroom management skills are good. But this day, the combination of tired, grumpy, and excited (me and the students 😉) took over. Class ended on a frustrating note.
The next day, one of my little friends saw me at lunch.
Mrs. Morris, I made you something. It’s in my classroom. Something to make you happy!
That afternoon, I received five apology notes. ❤️
May we all remember to say those three little words whenever necessary. And may we receive them with grace and understanding whenever offered.
Natural Progression
Clinging
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
Thanksgiving Anniversary
Every seven years or so, my parents’ anniversary falls on Thanksgiving Day. This is one of those years. Today marks fifty-seven years!
We had planned to celebrate together this year. Due to my dad’s recent hospitalization and health issues, those plans changed.
Although disappointed we are not together today, I remain thankful.
Thankful for time spent with my parents earlier this week.
Thankful for the example of their marriage.
Thankful for the encouragement and support from my husband, Gart.
Thankful for our three grown children and daughter-n-law.
Thankful for the family I grew up with and the one I married into.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! ❤️🧡💛🤎
Tended Hearts
Tend to the one
Sitting near
Let them
Tend to you
Better, worse
Richer, poorer
Sickness, health
Isn’t that how the promise goes-
No longer
Left alone
With only
My thoughts
Fighting a fight
I will never win
Now together
Your heart
Close enough
That I can
Feel it beating
In time with mine
Better, worse
Richer, poorer
Sickness, health
Thankful
For each day
Our hearts
Are tended
By each other
Update on Dad. He is home from the hospital, feeling much better. With doctors’ guidance and mom’s help, learning to live with congestive heart failure. I plan to visit again soon. ❤️
Dear Friends & Family
I continue to be amazed at the connections near and far created through blogging and am grateful for all who take the time to read and reflect. And I have a favor to ask. If you have not already, would you consider purchasing my first poetry collection, If I Were Made of Glass?
Friends, family, and my WordPress community, I am thankful for you! ❤️
Woo Pig From the Eighth Floor
Here we are again. Not sure I know anyone who likes hospitals. Some display more adverse reactions than others, I suppose. But when medical care is needed, I am thankful for their existence.
My dad had open-heart surgery eight months ago. During those scary moments of the unknown, doctors and nurses were caring for him. Giving value to his life, even though they did not know him personally.
He is back in the hospital. Difficulty breathing led to the discovery of fluid in his lungs. No complete answers yet, but there is comfort in the familiar. Walking the same halls. Experiencing the same level of care.
No, it’s not where any of us would choose to be on this sunny Saturday. But I am grateful. Sitting here, talking to my dad. Excited to watch Razorback football with him this afternoon. Even if it is from his eighth-floor room at the hospital. Woo Pig Soooie!
Simply Sunday
Power outage
A forced
Slow down
Initial
Frustration
Pushes me
Outside
My eyes
Greeted
By sunlight
My skin
Cooled
By a breeze
Morning songs
Of the birds
Leaves
On the trees
Fluffy clouds
In the sky
All gently
Floating
On the same
Breeze that
Touches
My face
Seeing
Hearing
Feeling
Choosing
To be thankful
While waiting
For the power
To return
Piano Girl 