It’s not just about the big picture
10 CommentsAs I am uncharacteristically sitting in my office on a Sunday morning, dog asleep at my feet, it occurred to me that I don’t have very much to say today. I am enjoying the quiet moments of looking after the lodge while the owners enjoy some much-needed down time after a busy season and the other employees are busy shopping for the holidays and on their way to spend time with loved ones.
I saw this quote and it seemed to sum up what I was trying to say. Enjoy your Sunday and make sure to enjoy all the little things.
I remember you!
8 CommentsA little over a year ago my mom did something that I thought was impossible. What was most impressive about it was that she did it from beyond the grave.
I wrote this post marveling at how things seem to happen in random ways. After searching for a friend for an extended period of time, I had all but given up. It seems like just last month his email showed up in my inbox at work and it made me believe that my mother had pulled some major strings in Heaven to make that happen.
Remarkably, the calendar has moved forward by a year. We have been in constant contact since then and have developed a wonderful friendship. I hadn’t realized by rekindling our relationship twenty-five years later we would become such close friends.
In August he had asked me to write a blog post – I can’t remember if he said for him or about him – and this post is what came out.
It’s been a pleasure getting to know him all over again and I thank my mom for all the fairy dust she must have bartered for to be able to make our reunion happen.
The Christmas Poem – 2015 Edition
18 CommentsTwas the night before Christmas, when all through the blogs
Edward Hotspur had his bacon, Angie’s Grapevine had her dogs.
The synonyms were used by Idioglossia with care,
And Conscious Cacophony, her feelings she would share.
Short Stories was nestled, all snug amongst his words,
While Susie Lindau had artistic visions taking pictures of the birds.
Graceful Press was getting poetic, authoring memorable scenes,
And Drinking Tips was creating while snacking on Poutine.
JannaTWrites newest blog had created such a clatter,
And Carrie Rubin’s comments only added to the chatter.
Away to the keyboard YeahWrite flew on its quest,
Tore open the gates of creativity posting its newest contest.
The Modern Philosopher, his brilliance did show,
And masterful words from Dianne Gray, were shared from below. (well, Down Under, but it didn’t rhyme)
When, what to YarnSpinner’s eyes should appear,
Ned’s Blog, in all its glory, showing no WordPress fear.
With a well-versed writer, so lively in blog,
I knew in a moment it must be Trudging Through Fog.
More majestic than eagles the stanzas were put,
And I knew in a heartbeat, Campari & Sofa was afoot.
“Now Grammar Ghoul! now Wordy! now Moi and Leigh!
On, Margie! On, Harlon! On, Bad Guy! on, Wine and Cheese!
To the top of the Fresh Press! to the top of the wall!
Now write away! Write away! Write away all!”
As Rarasaur roars before the wild hurricanes fly,
When they meet with Two Sentences, and mount to the sky.
So up to the Matticus Kingdom they flew,
With Yadadarcyyada and a Writer Fellow too.
I didn’t have my glasses on but I thought I still had heard,
Nicole Marie and Candice Curry happily sharing their words.
As I closed my keyboard, and was winding it down,
The Silver Leaf Journal was making a sound.
Jill Weatherholt spoke with a great deal of fervor,
And words were carefully crafted by The Mercenary Researcher.
A bundle of phrases HastyWords took from her stack,
And Shouts from the Abyss, the words he attacked.
With their keyboards they created with zest and with zeal,
They wrote just as passionately as brunch for every meal!
It was Apoplectic Apostrophes, the words she did reap,
And, in between writing, they read shrinksarentcheap.
They wrote from their hearts, like it was their favorite job,
And inside of them all lurked a Geeky Book Snob.
The Cutter rambled and wrote to make you think,
While a little Fish of Gold was readied with paper and ink.
On The Homefront took a few precious moments to reflect,
While somewhere during Red’s Rants and Raves their writing they did perfect!
JoeTwo spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Blending a symphony of phrases, responsibilities they did shirk.
The Lonely Author pounded endlessly on the keys,
While Scraps of Paper were tossed at the typewriter with ease.
You’ve been Hooked had amused us, EagleAye surely did see,
And we quickly lost H.E. Ellis to the feeling of writer’s glee.
Inspiration sprang to its feet, to its words gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like a high powered missile.
But I heard it exclaim, as our brains turned to fog,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good blog!”
(image credit: lhj.com)
~~
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. All of the links should take you to a large number of the blogs I follow, so if you are looking for new things to read, they are just a click of a mouse away!!
Table for one
6 Comments
The single coffee cup made me sense my solitude even more. Everything around me faded into the background, much like I knew I had been doing. The cloud over my morning solace taunted me, trying to will me to tears. But I simply sat on that stool and waited for the rainbow.
Through the lens
16 Comments
She always said to look for her after she passed.
She would be visible and show me a great circle of love.
I was only a child then,
but after she died
the first planet I saw through my telescope was Saturn.
It doesn’t really get easier with time
25 Comments
I read a post on Facebook today from a friend of mine who is at the one year anniversary of his father’s passing. I would like to tell him that it gets easier with time, but I can’t. So many people offer those words as an attempt to comfort those who have lost a loved one. Since I have lost both of my parents, and many other loved ones for that matter, I am well versed at saying ‘thank you, I hope so’ when those words were spoken to me.
But I have learned a great truth about loss. It doesn’t get easier. The pain of loss is never really assuaged by time. The polite phrase spoken by so many holds a great sentiment but very little truth.
What I have learned, however, is that the pain is slowly muted by the memories. That pain still burns like a lingering flame, concealed far below the surface, and it can be turned into a raging inferno with a single spark. But that pain is much less visceral than it once was and shouldering their absence seems much more bearable.
With each passing year I recognize a growing trend in my patterns. Habits that I picked up subconsciously from those loved ones who are gone seem to emerge inexplicably but they are familiar and comforting traits. Idioms used by my dad tumble out of my mouth before I even have a chance to realize what I am saying. My arm in the window of my car as I drive, elbow on the bottom and only two fingers hooked in the top, is exactly how my mother used to position herself driving up to the cottage when we were young.
It doesn’t make the loss any easier but it is those little things that make us know that their life lives on through our lives. We get to keep some of the best parts of them alive because mimicking their characteristics keeps their spirit close. The pain will always reside in us as proof that the love we had for them was fierce. It doesn’t get easier, it just gets manageable.
Always watch what you eat
7 Comments
Just thought I would share a good laugh with everyone. It reminded me of this post I wrote a while ago!
The sense of sensibility
11 CommentsThe Reverie posted an interesting challenge in honor of Jane Austen. We are given 11 words (in true Austen style) and asked to write a poem with at least 7 of them. It got in 10. Check out the challenge and give it a try.
To acknowledge a want,
to trust in a wish,
evokes a certain wonder.
What good fortune it would be,
to wear our pride without prejudice,
to yearn, not for possessions
but for the good in man.
A single hope,
a solemn wish
to bring peace
to the world.
~~
Comes a time
11 CommentsEverything in our lives has a time and a place. Whether we understand the correlation or not, the introduction of certain things into our realities is done with a purpose. The novel ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is one of those things that had a time and place in my life – and that time and place was now.
Had I read this book when it was first published, the messages would have never hit their target. But now, almost twenty years after its publication date, this book has burrowed its way under my skin and caused numerous moments of reflection and awareness.
I began reading this book late on a Saturday night, although I wish I could say I dove into it on a Tuesday. My appetite for the story made me pick it up again on Sunday afternoon and finish it early Sunday night. I recognized many moments of my life through the book and I paused many times to wipe tears from my eyes so I could continue reading.
(Mitch Albom and Morrie Schwartz)
I watched both of my parents wither from a disease, although not ALS, that stole their ability to function as healthy adults. I felt a strong connection to Mitch as he tried to make life as normal for Morrie as he could. But what I was most affected by from this novel is Morrie teaching Mitch how to live while he, in turn, was dying.
Life is not about our limitations, it is about our strengths. Life is not about our possessions but about our character. It is about being a part of a community and giving to those who are less fortunate. Life is about having no regrets when we pass because the energy that we shared with others lives on through them.
Mitch and Morrie reiterated the philosophy behind a mantra I have, for many years, uttered under my breath. “Life is not about what you have. Life is about what you give.” And since this novel has securely fastened itself into my memory, I will strive to give more so I can live far beyond this lifetime.
polysyllabic profundities 