The one who we love to hate,

“Secretly” heckle, mock and berate?

Well, he had the last laugh,

When instead of a pass,

He gave each of us failing grades....

So long I’d lived thinking of one thing

Years of waiting, wishing, wondering

Folks said a kid changes everything

How would it change the song that I sing?

Now that question seems so long ago

As I hum, looking out our window

Watching my children play in the snow

I know.

❤️...

I never was an early riser -

Preferred to snooze ‘til half past nine.

Until I fancied myself an exerciser

And found I did not have the time.

Five AM I started to wake

Sneakers on and jumping jacks.

Tired out fast and needing a break

Stretching it out, sweaty clothes onto racks.

The morning squats became routine

And my health improved for sure

But when my kids entered the scene

Early days were th...

White winter waits

Sunny spring surprises

Revitalizing rain renews

Living layers lighten

…and the flowers arrive

Beautifulw blessings, blooming....

We found out early enough to leave you,

Which was something we didn’t want to do.

So confused, yet hopeful we’d make it through.

Diagnosis not confirmed; yet, we knew.

How many parents make the different choice?

In a different time I almost did too

How many precious children lost their voice?

I am so grateful that I still have you....

Long ago in a distant place

Layers of space and time before now,

Lived an old woman

Legs shortened by her years,

Longing for her companion

Lonely, in want of her love

Layers of age burying the soul

Lost eyes that are tired of it all

Looking for him

Loving him, still

Later on, after we are gone,

Lengths and depths explored,

Leftovers from our time, only memories

Lovely, isn’t it?...

Light softly filters through the weeping branches of the willow

Growing flowers tilt to the rhythm of the breeze

Their minute dance magnified as the wind sweeps the grasses along the bank

And the pond surface ripples gently, water in tune with its air

At peace

In the stillness

And in the entirely graceful movements

Just us smiling

Just us being...

Darkness and fog surrounded Charlotte, and the rest of Lake Findlay. No light was visible from the early morning sky. She didn't know if it was because of the cloudy weather or a new moon of the lunar cycle. Either way she couldn't see much past her own two feet, and in the end the reasons didn't matter to her.

Thank goodness for this weather. Charlotte was glad that visibility was low. It meant ...

Never before had I gotten a glimpse of the beautiful beasts this close. Nothing I had tried in my previous attempts had avoided startling them so this time, I was lucky. Not one of them heard me approaching. Never again would I have another opportunity like this. No, this moment would have to last me a lifetime....

If wishes fell like rain

then certainly I am a storm

If hatred burned like candles

then too often my flames are warm

If doubt sprouted like flowers

then I’d have a wild garden

If memories colored the world

mine would darken

If hope shined like sunlight

please send me a summer’s day

If love blanketed like snow

let your frost show us the way...