Giving all of anything is Quite a commitment Particularly when There is no way Of knowing what Time will be required All of me All of my love All of my time All of my days Whether part of a Cross-my-heart promise Or the title of A favorite song Life does not tell us How many days remain A definitive number Is found only in The days passed Never to return So, I settle on today This hour, this moment Right this second That is all there is And I must choose To give all or nothing
Tag: time
Limited Supply
When young
Time seemed
An endless
Supply with
Little thought
Given to limits
Wished away in
A rush to meet
Each milestone
Without fully
Understanding
Its significance
Until years later
When the reality
Of limits became
Exceedingly clear
Times where
Life and death
Suddenly carried
Similar weight
Each new loss
A connection
To the past
Each new life
A hope for
The future
Quiet lessons
In limited supply
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with
Significant
Last night was our annual “Meet the Teacher” event. It looked quite different from years past. More controlled, a limited number of parents and children attending at one time. Everyone wearing masks, maintaining distance.
While assisting a family in finding their classroom, I spotted one of my students from last year. He is a sweet boy, such a good student. He smiled behind that mask and said hello.
On my way back downstairs, I saw him again. This time, sitting with his mom. “Just enjoying the view,” he said. Mom shared that he would be doing school virtually this year. Little sister has a heart issue. They need to be careful. He is understanding, but obviously disappointed.
I wish I could accurately describe his eyes. So honest, so sincere. And his words, “Mrs. Morris, I really wish I could just give you a hug.” I responded, “Me, too, Sweetie. Me, too.”
And then I quickly walked away so he would not see me cry.
This small interaction, only a few minutes, was the most significant event of my entire day.
Small
The days seem long
And yet, they’re not
When viewing them
Thru a wider lens
Getting caught up
In what’s next
On the calendar
Is the expected
At least, that was
The case until
Our days were so
Abruptly changed
Life events often
Taken for granted
Now indefinitely
Placed on hold
And so, the small
Takes precedent
A kind word
An honest smile
A vantage point
Revealing that perhaps
The truly significant
Is actually quite small
Sacred Space
Sacred space
Sunrise to sunset
Precious hours
Waiting to be filled
Pleading with us-
Accept the love
That wraps us up
In great affection
Powerful love
Eclipsing both
Light of day and
Dark of night
Pleading with us-
Avoid judgmental
Questions leading
To a critical spirit
Avoid bitterness
That bleeds into
Treasured time
Set aside for rest
Sacred space
Sunrise to sunset
Precious hours
To love and be loved
Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
Sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laiden with happiness,
And tears
Beautiful Illusion
Time keeps ticking
Moving forward
Always steady
Always sixty
Seconds per minute
Minutes per hour
Never slows down
Never rushes ahead
If only I could
Stretch the moments
When my focus is clear
When my heart is full
Impossible, I know
And yet, I am able
To breathe deep
Allowing time for
A lingering hug or
A heart-to-heart
Creating this
Beautiful illusion
Where time
Seems to stop
Mysteriously moving
Beyond the
Simple ticktock
Of the clock
Boys to Men
Last night, I listened as my oldest son gave the best-man toast at his best friend’s wedding. He spoke with confidence and humor as he described their friendship and his genuine happiness for his friend.
It was one of those moments of clarity. The ones which solidify the reality of time and remind me how quickly it passes.
Robert and Jeremy have been friends since junior high. Before they were old enough to drive, we would take turns shuttling them back and forth to each other’s houses on the weekends. They spent many hours playing video games and watching movies. Student group activities and church camps also provided hangout time.
Their friendship continued through high school. After graduation, our family took them on a senior trip to Colorado. Together, they hiked to the top of Mt. Elbert, the highest point in the continental U.S. Quite an accomplishment for these two boys who used to use yogurt containers and empty monster cans for bb gun target practice in the backyard.
College meant living several hours away from each other. Keeping in touch and visiting whenever possible remained a priority. They even continued a tradition involving Christmas presents. One year involved a shovel and map coordinates, another required thawing a block of ice. Crazy boys!
I’m pretty sure these two have been mistaken for brothers a time or two. We felt like Jeremy was another one of our kids. And I’m certain his family often felt the same about Robert. That’s what happens with close friendships.
In five short months, their roles will be reversed. Jeremy will be making a best-man toast at Robert’s wedding. Both young men will be standing next to their lovely, precious wives. And believe me, Caitlin and Erin are special young ladies. They have to be to put up with these two. 😉
Once again, it will be a moment of clarity.
Another moment which solidifies the fact that these two boys have become men in what seems like an instant.
Another moment which will serve to strengthen their friendship.
Another moment which leaves behind a beautiful memory. ❤
What’s Cooking?
Say, hey, good lookin’
Whatcha got cookin’?
How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me?
Hey, sweet baby
Don’t you think maybe
We could find us a brand-new recipe?
-Hank Williams-
Yes, I know this song has little if anything to do with food. While recently thinking about food/cooking, however, my thoughts turned to people. And then to this song. Maybe not logical, but that’s my musician brain for you.
What is it about this act of cooking which draws us closer to each other? As I considered this question, my memories were clear. My friend Donna McDonald and her peanut butter pie. My friend Cindy Wright and her frozen strawberry dessert. The Seifert family and their homemade pizza.
The list could go on and on. Specific people, specific foods, and specific occasions. All of these foods were delicious, but what I remember most is the people and the reasons behind their cooking-family dinners, baby showers, hospital stays. Being on the receiving end of these gifts always made me feel loved.
I’ve also been on the opposite end of this circumstance. Cooking a family birthday dinner or baking cookies for a friend. Knowing that others are enjoying my creation always makes me happy.
This week I experienced both sides of this culinary phenomenon. Monday, I baked my famous chocolate chip cookies. Student musicians in our all-school musical were the recipients at our Tuesday rehearsal. They were surprised and grateful. And they ate all the cookies. 😉
I chose Tuesday for this treat because it was our first “late” day. This almost four-hour rehearsal followed a full day of teaching elementary music. Even with some extra caffeine and a cookie, the long day left me exhausted.
Dragging myself into the house, I immediately smelled something yummy. “Are you hungry?” My husband had made a tasty meal. He fixed me a plate. I sat down to eat and unwind.
No, this wasn’t a birthday dinner or special event. It was just a regular old Tuesday night. A late work night for me. A night he knew I needed a good meal. A meal that made me feel loved.
All of these situations are connected by one element, and it isn’t food. It is time. Time is precious and cooking takes time. When someone is willing to give their own time in this way, they’re showing how much they care.
If you find yourself on the receiving end there is only one thing to say. “What’s cooking?” Followed by a big, huge, “Thank you!”
Time
Hanging on to its coattails as it flies by… faster with each passing day.
Time passes quickly
Years like months
Months like days
Days like minutes
Not logical
Yet true
Holding on tight
Wishing years would slow
Months would stretch
Days would linger
With no result
Passing more quickly
I must respond
Dream changes each year
Plan work each month
Find good each day
Hope for the future
Embrace this moment
Time Machine
During recent Red Ribbon Week activities, our school had a “dress in your favorite decade” day. I chose the 80’s-big hair, hot pink tank layered over black dress, leggings & leg warmers. “Girls just wanna have fun” was uttered by colleagues several times throughout the day. Staying in line with my decade choice, I decided we would spend some time in the 80’s during music class.
One class entered my room particularly quiet, much more so than usual. Thinking they might be a tough audience, I decided to shake things up a bit. “You guys don’t know this, but the music room is actually a time machine. And today, we are taking a trip back to the 1980’s!” Of course, there were a few eye rolls but mostly giggles. We had so much fun!
Our playlist for the day:
- Richard Simmons exercise video-I Just Wanna Dance with Somebody
- Jump by Van Halen
- Take on Me by A-Ha
- Always Something There to Remind Me by Naked Eyes
- We Will Rock You by Queen (actually 1977 but it worked with the boomwhackers)
This activity started me thinking. Music really is like a time machine. In one instance we listen to a composition from hundreds of years ago, imagining what life was like when it was written. The next minute we hear a song on the radio and are immediately transported back to a special event, a certain person, or a memorable place from our own past. Both examples are powerful.
It certainly was the case for me all throughout this 80’s music day. I smiled as I thought about the fun times spent with my best friend Kim watching music videos on MTV. Remembered my short-lived dream of becoming a rock star when performing in my high school talent show. Laughed about the many times my husband has played the keyboard opening to “Jump.” (He is a tuba player, not a pianist-so this was his piano claim to fame!)
As my once quiet class was winding down and my trip down memory lane ending one young friend piped up, “Mrs. Morris, can we please transport back to the 2000’s now?” I laughed, “Why yes, yes we can.” Our time machine travel was over. At least until the radio began to play in my car, after school, on my way home…
