A semi hauling gasoline was in front, another semi was behind, and we were crawling along a snow-packed two-lane road under heavy cloud cover and falling snow.
My hands were at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock on the steering wheel. The tunes weren’t blaring like they are when the roads are dry.
“Will, honey, I can’t talk right now. I need to concentrate on these roads.”
The snow kept falling.
The skies stayed gray. Continue reading →
Sitting on the cold pew, with the stiff lace collar scratching the tender skin of her neck, she glanced sideways to see them reading those black books. She assumed there must be power in the words since they gathered together every Sunday to read from the same book.
She doubted how much power could be in those tiny black letters on the filmy pages since there were hardly any pictures mixed in.
It was when they stood to sing that she felt a surge of energy. The people seemed lighter when they were singing – less dreary. Were the words in the songs more powerful, or did the music imbue the words with magic?
__________
When she learned to read, she discovered the magic found in words and books. She claimed a favorite corner in the school library – the only one with a window. She’d sit in the quiet with a stack of books and inhale the scent of library dust, which smelled nothing like ordinary house dust which she’d scattered to new corners with a Pledge-soaked cloth. Continue reading →
Once upon a time there was a contented village where everyone worked together to pursue their goals, realize their dreams, raise their children and make the world’s best ice cream.
There was one governing rule in the village:
Relationships must come first.
Relationships with partners, spouses, kids, parents, friends, grandparents, dogs, cats, gardens, trees, birds, butterflies, dandelions and all other living things must come first.
When a villager reached an age where self-awareness could benefit her rather than taint her (think narcissism) the relationship with her own self would become a priority as well. Continue reading →
He said, “Mom, why do you think I’m outta sorts today?”
I said, “Maybe you’re wishing we had snow. Maybe this is the pre-dad visit funk. Maybe you need to eat something. Or, maybe it’s just one of those days.”
And because the hot water of the shower has a way of warming my skull and opening my brain to the current of ideas that passes in and around this house, I came out of the bathroom with an inspired thought.
I want to see your faces.
I want to give and receive genuine hugs.
I want to hear your stories and connect while looking into your eyes.
I also have a craving for that scritchy feeling of sand under the waistband of my swimsuit.
There is an undercurrent of truth seekers in the river of life.
They are everywhere.
Some carry backpacks full of self-help books. Some can be seen taking a Myers-Briggs Test at the corner table in Starbucks. Some fill yoga classes. Some do Tai Chi on a sunny afternoon at the park, and they don’t care who might be watching.
Some might meditate.
Some might write in a dog-eared journal. Continue reading →
I stop at the top of the hill and yell for them to keep going. I want to watch them.
I plant my poles, snug my hat down a bit and wrap my arms around myself to block the chill.
The temperature hovers at 10 degrees. It’s beautiful windless cold – the crisp blue of a winter sky when the light makes edges sharp.
I take a mitten off to wipe my nose.
I quick jam my hand back in the mitten and tuck thumbs into the finger sides to soak up the warmth generated by many. Thumbs have it tough. They can’t generate enough heat all by their lonesome. They need company to have any shot at getting warm. Continue reading →
The other day we stopped at a convenience store to pick up corn nuts and Cheetos for a road trip. We placed our stuff on the counter and the clerk said, “So have you heard about the theory that if a train started out today and …. speed of light…. circling the globe….. rate of speed….. it would arrive in the year 2032?”
Don’t quote me on that because, honestly, I didn’t understand a word he said, but he sparked an entertaining conversation that lasted the first 30 miles of our road trip.
We have a new friend that fixes us chicken pot pie and brownies and chats with us – even kids* – about things like past lives, quantum physics, philosophy and art.
For several days after one of those dinners, Will can be heard saying, “Is that really a chair, or do you just think it’s a chair?” Jenny will say, “Is it really that windy out, or do I just think it’s that windy out?” Continue reading →
Dear Santa,
I hope this letter finds you and Mrs. Claus feeling healthy, happy and optimistic about the New Year. Please know how much I appreciate the way you spread good cheer and lighten the mood in our little home.
I bought myself boots this year, Santa, so I’m covered. I’m being presumptuous, I know, but I wonder if you could see to it that our friends on the blog get some good things this year.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that they always put their own needs and wants last. Perhaps you could put them at the top of your list this year.
Thank you, Santa. I don’t have to tell you how deserving they are. Best wishes to you and Mrs. Claus.
__________
Merry Christmas friends.
Thanks for all your kind wishes this year.
With their pinkies pointing at my face, they backed me up against the kitchen counter saying, “Pinky swear you aren’t the one bringing us presents on Christmas morning! Pinky swear to it!”
What could I do?
I could have continued the charade. I’ve come up with some pretty clever lines over the years – lines that have let my kids keep believing, but how much longer should I keep lying?
And because the Universe always brings me what I need, when I need it most, I’d read this post earlier in the day, and was a bit prepared.
Over a dinner of grilled ham and cheese and homemade apple pie, I answered questions – lots of questions. Continue reading →
It’s cold outside.
I won’t know anyone there.
I can’t go dressed like this.
Everyone will be younger.
Everyone will be older. Continue reading →
They could have banished me to the old white shed.
I wouldn’t have blamed them.
In desperation, I came up with a plan to try and establish balance in our home.
I wanted to go back to bed.
I wanted to eat everything in sight. Continue reading →
It sat there for six days.
I couldn’t bring myself to put it away.
In my typical state of doing too many things at once, while talking to Will, brushing my teeth and straightening the bathroom, I almost tossed it in the cupboard.
But I stopped myself.
I had grown to like the look of it.
Really.
I’m okay.
I swear.
__________
I liked its simpleness.
I liked its sparkles.
I liked that it barely left a slight shadow.
I liked how it stood out amongst the things it sat beside.
I liked how it waited patiently until it was pressed into service.
I liked that it didn’t have an identity crisis, and knew completely and without a doubt what it was expected to do. It might be worn on a tiny wrist or twisted into a doll’s hair, but it had a single, primary function that it performed better than most anything else.
It didn’t care that it was no longer in style.
It didn’t care that it wasn’t used very often.
It levitated happily, in its place, letting its shiny threads brighten our day.
Oh… to be a Sparkly Turquoise Scrunchy.
I could have said, “Geez you guys! I can’t handle this stuff laying around everywhere!”
I could have said, “I want more time to do what I love, instead of having to pick up after you two!”
I could have said, “I need a break from this mess!”
I could have said a number of things, but while I was washing off the metaphorical dirt in the shower, I hatched a better plan.
It went something like this:
Take out a piece of paper. Continue reading →
