A Gift!

Just the same old drive home: the same big potholes; those bushes, these trees. Damp night air wafts in through the half-open window, scented with sage and dry grasses.

One hand grips the steering wheel; the other massages the same old, aching neck. A butter yellow moon casts its glow in the valley below; surrounding hills, like sentinels, keep their timeless watch.

Work shoes off, the same old, weary bare feet bask in the vented, fog-cooled air. Oh, me,...this same old, long drive home; up this hill, carefully navigating these blind curves, that…oh!…oh, goodness, can it be? I've...I've never seen one...!

There! By the side of the road…

A diminutive monkey-faced gentleman in downy white britches staring straight at me!

Saucer-eyes blink in the headlights, gazing and turning away, undismayed, undisturbed.

Tired neck forgotten; tears prickle, my heart soars. Seconds pulse with wonder, timeless and calm. A gift, a joyful gift, transcending words.

The Creator's gift…without price,
lavishly
p
o
u
r
e
d

out :

hallowed unity…with a barn owl!"

July 17, 2010

For dear friends and family, old and new, for the fun carriage rides, the delicious BBQ, the dancing, the heartfelt tributes, the beautiful setting, the laughter of all the little ones, the presence of elderly family members,

Lord, we thank thee!

*********************************

Grandma & Evelyn Ruth spot the horses!

Grandma & Adeline Elizabeth waiting for the "Princess Carriage"

The Wedding Party Arrives!

"And I know..."

*****

Alan Conrow

Mike Conrow

Laura Conrow Liskey

Gorgeous Cake!

First dance

Gramps giving words of wisdom

Dancing!

Getting ready for the big event!

Ginny baking for the cookie bar; Laura at the wholesale flower market;

Laura in her decorating mode; beautiful bottles awaiting fresh flowers.

For Aaron & Beckie's California Ceremony

With Courage...

With courage we leap into the arms of our beloved.
Upon our backs? A knapsack filled with hopes and dreams.

We love imperfectly, yes, but how can it be otherwise?
Bringing to one another every particle of ourselves,
with courage, we allow. Becoming open and vulnerable,
yet desirous of protection, hand in hand, we meld
all we have been, with all we hope to be.

Each day, each moment becomes a rehearsal for the next,
as we laugh, weep and strive together with courage.
Life opens before us, resplendent with intricate patterns,
sometimes embraced with joy, sometimes avoided with trembling.

With courage, we give to each other all that we are
and all that we have. No longer alone, we gaze as one on the
Author of our love. In triune harmony, stepping out,
we run, we walk, we cower, we love, we cry, we comfort
and encourage. We say, yes, with courage, until parted by death.

A Piece of Peace

One thought grows to merge with others, while others jump on for the ride.
Thoughts, not reality, swell into an unseen tempest, frothy with angst.

He said, she said; what right do they have, anyway? They should know; they should care!
How dare they rain on my parade?

And, further more, how could they have intimated this and that?
They've done it before. Oh, the selfishness, the spitefulness!

Bottom-feeding in the lake of despondency, bitterness sneaks in to every crevice.
The cycle completed, stagnation grows, and all is black.

Actors and actresses repeat their lines. The stage? Almost palpable.
Almost... Only almost. Almost.
Not...not really...
not reality.
Oh...

Reality is now; this tree, that bush, the sky, the breath, the grass, the birdsong, a voice.
All in this moment, the present...reality.

Tangled thoughts gradually unravel; the fraying ends spray shards of light.
Light and lightness begin to dawn, opening the way...opening the way to Truth.

A sigh, a breath a pause in the secrecy of thought. In stillness and calm, a bit of peace seeps in.
A small piece, radiating inward and out; a wholly delightful, utterly satisfying piece of...
peace!

Letting Go

How many times do I have to stumble and fall?
How many times...??
When did I forget past grief from emotions worn raw?
Was it not enough: the memories, the stern self-dialogue, the prayers?


Apparently not! Yes, I went there again, with emotions untamed.
I stirred the pot with a dirty spoon; contaminating all who partook.
Words spiked with acid hurled, unafraid...and now, grief...again.
I could, forever, drown in these juices of bitter regret, hoping to never again inflict pain.


Presently, stewing still, I pause...to listen.
Wisdom gently whispers, "Let it go."
"Let go and let God", yes, I've heard it all before.
Be still...and know, He says. With much trepidation, I finally...allow.

Sitting in stillness, I slowly unclench my hands, I breathe in, I relax my jaw.
I gently let go...and let God.

Thoughts upon turning 59....

You know, life is a funny thing. Just when you think you know, you don't.

You work hard trying to "get it all together" and blam! you fall flat on the ground.

Sometimes, you just don't want to pick yourself up again.

Disappointment, condemnation and self-loathing rear their ugly heads.

Ha! When I was a teen, I thought life would be easy by now...

The joke is on me! God isn't finished with me yet, I guess.

As I look towards the next decade, I breathe in the present, this moment.

And, for this moment, I'll think of my youngest grand-daughter, Evelyn Ruth,

who joyfully runs into each moment with arms and hands wide open.

She runs with joy and laughter, often falling, but picking herself up to run again.

On this day, my natal day, spent slogging about in gloom,

I finally remember I can choose. I pick myself up again.

I choose arms and hands wide open...this moment.

Grandma & her girls enjoying the wedding reception in PA!

THE BRIDE!

Mr. & Mrs. Bayles! Church of the Good Shepherd, Bryn Mawr, PA