It’s too quiet
Something my mom
Used to say after
Our holiday visits
Well, actually
After any visit
Once their nest
Was empty
And although
Our nest is
Not quite empty
I’m beginning
To understand
The sentiment
A flurry of activity
The aroma of food
Being prepared
But mostly, the voices-
Once they return
To their own homes
The quiet leaves space
For melancholy
And missing
But mostly, the quiet
Leaves space
For memories
And a grateful heart
A day filled
With family
Young and old
Enjoying
Tasty food
Prepared by
Ones I love
Ones who
Love me
Precious
Minutes
To watch
And listen
Smile and
Wonder-
Full heart
Calm mind
Tired body
Ready to rest
In the peace
Left behind by
Thanksgiving
Not all of our family could be with us today. And though we missed them, it was a wonderful time filled with reasons to be grateful. The house was full of laughter, stories, and heart-to-hearts. My husband, Gart, worked hard to make it a great day. He is quite the chef! And I am a lucky girl! ❤
What a perfect beginning to this Thanksgiving week-a writing circle hosted by Ali Grimshaw. https://flashlightbatteries.blog/. I was reminded once again of the importance of gratitude. Happy Monday! ❤
What have I given of myself today?
Was it more
Than a thought
Or a simple prayer
Did my focus
Remain inward
Or did I take time
To see you coming
Slowly walking
In my direction
Wondering how
I might respond
Or if I would
Offer a smile-
Fairly certain
I received one
For it left a hint
Of happiness
As you passed by
More precious
Than any present
I could have received
What have I given of myself today?
Our hands reveal
So much about
The lives we live
My dad’s hands
Are rough and strong
Calloused from years
Of carpentry
My mom’s hands
Are softer
Her work required
A different touch
And yet, time
Is reflected in both-
I notice changes
In my own hands
Spots on my skin
Aches in my fingers
While thinking about
Hands I have held
Some briefly
Others lingering-
But then you
Held my hand
A lasting touch
That began at
The tips of my fingers
And worked its way
Into the depths of my heart
My job was to stir
Sounds simple
A wooden spoon
Round and round
But I remember
Heat rising from
The slow-to-boil
Sweetness
My dad was always
Nearby, of course
In case little hands
Became tired
It only took
Helping one time
For the tasty
Result to be
Permanently
Etched in my soul-
How is it that
Precious details
Are so easily
Forgotten-
Eating the remaining
Warm chocolaty filling
Out of tiny glass bowls
Once my dad filled
His homemade pie crusts-
May my memory
Of a yesterday
Erase any complaints
From today
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! ❤️🧡💛🤎
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. ❤️
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. ❤️
Nothing compares with the contagious laughter of a child. The kind that brings tears because it can’t be stopped. One of my first-grade friends recently demonstrated this phenomenon.
He is always smiling. When I see him in the hallway, in the music room, getting in the car with his mom to go home. Such a sweet boy.
Those with an honest laugh also have a sincere cry…
Today in music class, students sang a song about Thanksgiving. I then asked, What are you thankful for? Such sweet answers. My family, friends, brother, sister, grandma, and on and on. Almost all of them mentioned a family member.
This friend was no exception. He said he was thankful for his mom. I immediately pictured him running to his car every afternoon. Always wearing that big smile.
We ended class by watching and listening to a song about Thanksgiving. I wouldn’t say it is a sad song, but sweet. When the song ended, I teased the class.
You guys haven’t asked me what I’m thankful for!
What are you thankful for, Mrs. Morris?
You guys!
I followed this with a comment about their sweet smiles. And then I mentioned my one friend’s contagious smile and laugh. It was time to line up. I noticed he had a funny look on his face, eyes downcast. So, I asked what was wrong.
Tears began to flow. While the others lined up, I knelt to talk with him.
My sister died. When she was little.
Oh, honey, I am so sorry.
I told him how special it was that he remembered her in his heart.
Precious boy. I will not soon forget his laughter or his tears. ❤️
My heart is seeking
A place of safety
Not to hide
But to sing
At first, quietly
To myself
Until joy that
Runs deep
Becomes
Overflowing
Gladness, and
I can sing
Out loud
With confidence
Hearing my voice
As it mingles
With others
Looking not to
Stir up conflict
Instead, pursuing
Lasting peace…
My heart left full…
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving will look very different for most of us this year. Mine will be nothing like those of my childhood. At least forty people gathered in my Grandparents’ small house. Everyone would fill their plate and look for a place to sit. It really didn’t matter if it was a chair or a spot on the floor. Even outside on the porch if the weather was nice. All that mattered was being together.
Although those times are long past, the memories are forever inscribed on my heart. I always look back with a smile, grateful for my growing up years.
But there is no denying the difficulties this year brings.
It is my hope we can find ways to express thanks while also acknowledging those difficulties-joy mixed with our sorrow.
Sincerely wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! ❤
My birthday is rapidly approaching. It falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving this year. My oldest son, Robert, was born on my 27th birthday. This year, he turns 25 and I turn 52. I am always happy when we can celebrate together.
Robert called yesterday about last-minute Thanksgiving plans. He also asked what I wanted for my birthday. I really could not think of anything. “Since we will be together for Thanksgiving, I thought we could celebrate,” he said.
Later in the evening, I told my husband about our chat. He quickly responded, “Did you tell him his and Erin’s presence here for Thanksgiving was enough?” No, I had not thought to say that.
Reflecting on those conversations caused me to consider the idea of presents. My thoughts quickly turned to presence. The older I get, the more I realize the preciousness of someone’s presence in my life.
The occasions when all my kids and soon-to-be daughter-n-law are together, sharing the same space and time? Those are the times I am truly filled with joy and contentment. Instances when I share space and time with my parents? Feelings are the same.
I could go on and on. The presence of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends remind me how quickly time passes. And time spent with them, even when brief, is a gift.
Just this morning, my daughter was reviewing our plans for the next few days. Thanksgiving dinner, birthday lunch with a friend for me, a movie outing for her. Then she smiled and said, “Don’t make any plans for Sunday.” I don’t know what she has planned, but I know it involves her presence.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Our home will be filled with good food and laughter. But more importantly, it will be filled with presents. Not ones which require unwrapping, ones which allow embraces.
Embraces which say:
I love you
I've missed you
I'm so glad you're here
Your presence is the best present I could ever receive ❤
Kids love to share their thoughts and opinions. Sometimes, they express wisdom beyond their years. I was reminded of this during my second-grade music class.
Our music lesson this week was an introduction to Thanksgiving. Before teaching students a song about being thankful, I asked a question. “What are you thankful for?”
The answers from this particular class were basic and sweet. Food, clothes, family, and friends topped the list. One boy excitedly mentioned his grandmother coming to visit from Mexico.
And then one little girl gave the most precious answer. She very sincerely said, “I am thankful for the food my mom cooks. Even if it is food I don’t like. I would never want to hurt her feelings.”
The more I considered her answer, the more wisdom I recognized. This little girl truly understands what it means to be thankful. Being thankful for something, even if it isn’t exactly the “something” you want. I don’t always display that level of maturity.
Thanksgiving will be here soon. My home will be filled with family, friends, and good food. Hopefully, I will remember that being thankful has very little to do with “things.” It has everything to do with the attitude of my heart toward others.
As for today, I am thankful for the unexpected wisdom of a sweet second-grade girl.
Piano Girl 