I stood At the foot Of a grave Shaded by Lovely birch On a rolling Green slope Overseen by A church Painted white Filled with History on Both sides Of glass panes- I stood At the foot Of a grave Cradling remains Of those gone From this earth Centuries ago Memories Carved In marble Beloved Daughter, wife, mother Honored Son, husband, father I stood At the grave Of a poet My heart touched By remembrances Of persons I have never met
Enjoying Art and Nature Exploring Lessons Offered By history- Our own Others- Reminiscing Our combined Years of living In only seven Of these Precious Allotments Of time Each holding The same Number Of hours Each passing Too quickly
Greetings from Massachusetts! My first visit to this beautiful state. Even though the weather was cloudy and rainy upon arrival, I quickly noticed the many shades of green. No matter where I looked, a different type of tree. Some familiar, others not.
This morning the sun is shining, and the sky is a perfect blue! I am excited to explore with my Aunt Martha and Uncle James. Such a treat! 💚
View from their lovely backyard in Lee, Massachusetts.
Chanel No. 5-Reblog from September, 2019
I don’t wear a lot of perfume. I’ve had a couple of favorites as an adult, but allergy sensitivities often keep me from enjoying them. Currently, I own one bottle of Chanel No. 5.
I’m not sure how long I’ve had this particular bottle. During our recent unpacking, it caught my eye. I could not remember the last time it was open. The design is so classic and pretty, I decided to leave it out.
One morning last week while getting ready for school, that bottle of Chanel caught my eye again. This time, I opened it and placed a small drop on my finger, then dabbed it on my neck and wrists. “It might be nice to wear a little perfume again,” I thought.
As the familiar scent filled the air, a flood of memories filled my mind.
When I was a little girl, visits to my Aunt Martha and Uncle James’s house were a treat. They, along with their children-Jim, Angela, and Brad-moved several times. I remember trips to Fayetteville, Memphis, and Louisiana. Typically, it was a week-long visit during summer vacation.
Some memories are as clear as a photograph. Dressing my cousin, Angela, up in her Raggedy Ann doll clothes. Riding the bus with my cousin, Jimmy, from Little Rock to Memphis and spilling an entire big bag of M&Ms. Kick boxing with Uncle James. Rolling a piano from room to room so I could play while Martha and James painted their house.
So, why did this sweet smell cause such reminiscing? Because Aunt Martha always had a bottle of Chanel No. 5. And when I visited, she would let me wear some of her perfume. Just a tiny drop on my finger, then dabbed on my neck and wrists. Such a treat for a little girl.
I continue to be amazed by the beautiful complexity of the heart and mind. The simple scent of perfume has the power to transport me back in time. It leads me to precious childhood memories. And it reminds me that the love I experienced then has only grown over the years.
I still live far away from Aunt Martha and Uncle James. I look forward to our visits, no matter how far apart. And I am thankful for time spent with them as a child.
Who would have thought a bottle of Chanel No. 5 could make such an impression on one little girl? 😉
“Well, we made it! I have no idea how you got me here, but here we are.” I laughed at my mother-in-law’s comment as I dropped her off at the airport. “I’m not sure either.”
I have driven to the airport many times. However, this was my first time since we moved. The route was completely different from the one I had known for the previous fifteen years.
I do not have a strong innate sense of direction. Nor have I spent time improving my directional skills. I am a visual learner and tend to find landmarks helpful. But if you tell me to turn north, south, east, or west, I will almost certainly get lost. Or at the least, a little confused.
When going someplace new, the maps program on my phone is a reliable friend. Enter the address, tap Go, start driving. (Exactly how we got to the airport.) 😉 Not only is there a visual guide, but audio instructions are also available.
Am I on a journey? Yes! Is there an eventual destination? Definitely! But if I focus only on the directions and stopping point, I just might miss the adventure!
Leaving for work This morning Car packed for A weekend Road trip Thoughts already At the end of today Think I’ll send A text to Mom See you tonight! Little cardinal Crosses my path His brightness Could not Be ignored His fluffy Red feathers Taking off From the ground Made me smile Slow down as I drove out of The neighborhood Rachel says every time She sees a cardinal It reminds her Of her Papa
California, here we come! Well, actually it should say there we went! I would have to spend a few minutes calculating to remember exactly how many years have passed since that trip. But, oh, what a trip!
Just picture this-three Honda Odyssey vans and one motorcycle. A caravan from Oklahoma across the country to California. The whole family! Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins-thirteen people in all.
Rest stops were longer than usual. And cousins were constantly switching vehicles, which was great for the adults. One stop even included kite-flying!
This trip has so many memories. We visited the Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, quaint towns, local restaurants. And our eventual destination meant visiting family and a trip to Disney Land. Not to mention, sandcastles on the beach and playing in the ocean.
No matter how much time passes, this particular trip will always hold a special place in my heart. Lots of laughter and actually very little stress. I think that may have had a lot to do with the three vans. 😉
All the kids are grown now. Some have kids of their own. And Papa is no longer with us. I know there will never be another trip like that one-and that is ok. California, we love you! And all the places between you and Oklahoma!
I am here You are here We are all here Tomorrow we go Our separate ways But the missing Begins today… Even in the smiles Currently creating Memories to Carry us thru Days ahead The missing Finds its way- Sneaking in the Backdoor of our Thoughts trying To distract us From the present- Unable to steal away The happiness of Togetherness It quietly tiptoes Back outside- Tomorrow there will Be no denying The missing- We will welcome it- A reminder Of lasting joy Rooted in yesterday
Last weekend I visited my parents for the first time in six months! We were so happy to be face to face, holding on tight.
This past year, we could not celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or birthdays with them…to say we have missed each other is an understatement.
We knew the visit would be short, but that was ok. And even though good-byes may have brought a few tears, the smiles are what will last. ❤
I went for a walk in Wyoming My eyes could not decide Which way to look- Up at the sky What is that shade of blue? To the right Snow-topped mountains To the left Fields of purple hues In between A lake so crystal clear I could barely tell where The mountain stopped And its reflection began A few more steps forward Stop and breathe Take a seat on a rock Feel the cool breeze on my face Hold the hand of the one I love Try to take it all in-
A Wyoming walk Leaves a permanent imprint On my heart and soul
Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake, Jackson, WY
Piano Girl 