My day begins in the sanctuary of my home.
with the quiet of prayer and meditation.

Then I make my way to the sanctuary
of a local natural area.

My feathered sisters and brothers greet me as the goldfinches,
house finches, chickadees, meadowlarks, magpies,
robins, swallows all sing songs of joy this morning.

I watch their amazing aerial antics as they snatch insects in midair
or playfully chase one another from branch to branch.

My eyes catch that patient fisherman, the Great Blue Heron,
who silently wades in the shallow waters of Dixon Reservoir.

A pair of mallards cruise the waters of the reservoir
sending their delicate wavelets to shore.

A noisey crow pesters a red-tail hawk, both adrift in the baby blue sky.

Two bashful cottontails step from their hiding place
to nibble on blades of grass.

My soul now filled with nature’s delights
and the mind cleared of intrusive thoughts,
I make my way to one of my coffee shop sanctuaries.

Two young squirrels pause their wrestling
to keep a watchful eye on me as I enter this sanctuary
then scamper up a tree.

Now sitting in a favorite chair enjoying my mocha latte,
crafted with love by Emma.

I now put pen to paper in my journal
taking note of the ordinary gifts
given in my morning sanctuaries.

ms