My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.
Mary Oliver
On my way home from the coffee shop I noticed the white clouds drifting amid the darker storm clouds. I felt they were worth the effort for a drive up to Pineridge Natural Area and experience nature’s art. I stood there, soaking it all in. It’s been a quiet morning. May be the calm before the thunderstorms which are forecasted for later this afternoon. As I stood there I knew in my heart that if I was to make a gratitude list on a daily basis it would be easy to put clouds on that list. Happy Friday!! Next up is July. (I know I’ve posted this poem before but it’s good enough to post again, much like cloud photos.)
Encountering the Divine Presence in sanctuaries of silence Where Creation is speaking when meadowlarks and robins sing Listening with the ears of the heart to this nonverbal language Embracing those unspeakable words a benediction of silence.
I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend He referred to the dates on the tombstone From the beginning…to the end
He noted that first came the date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time That they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them Know what that little line is worth
For it matters not, how much we own, The cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough To consider what’s true and real And always try to understand The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect And more often wear a smile, Remembering this special dash Might only last a little while
So, when your eulogy is being read With your life’s actions to rehash… Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent YOUR dash?
The Dash Poem (By Linda Ellis)
This poem was read at the Celebration of Life yesterday for our friend and loved one, Antonella (Toni). The poem does call us to think about how we want to live out all of our years in between those two significant dates of birth and death. I remember her smile, that grin which sometimes had that mischievous look. I am grateful to have received the gift of knowing you. You will be missed, my friend! 😢
Here is a link to a recording of the author reading the poem.
To live a contemplative life means to consciously put aside the thousand demands of the world and offer ourselves the gift of being in the present moment, alert to the signs of the sacred that are breaking through everywhere, always…
Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy. I crave solitude yet also crave people. I want to pour life and love into everything yet also nurture my self-care and go gently. I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate.
This is the messiness of life – that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts. We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding.
Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides.
It is enough.
Victoria Erickson
I also experience the messiness of life she talks about in the above quote, those constant changes, challenges and especially the surprises. At this time of my life these changes and challenges are becoming more acceptable and in many ways I’m eager to face them with all the gifts and talents I’ve attained in life so far. Some of these challenges have become adventures. Not sure I would have said that 20 years ago but I do now. Hope you enjoy this quote by Victoria Erickson. I especially like this line, “I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate.” Hope you have a great weekend!
Reminded this morning that winter is not done as big fluffy wet snowflakes descend on our world.
Nature’s paintbrush dripping with pure white snowflakes drapes its blanket across the backs of the Geese.
ms
Had my follow up appointment with the cardiologist, Amy Dickinson, this morning and all is going well one week after the surgery. She said my heart sounds good and I’m progressing as expected. Will have an Echocardiogram on April 10th for a look-see inside then a one month follow up with the surgeon, Dr. Lazkani, on April 13th. I will begin a cardiac rehab in a week or two. She suggested I continue to increase my activity as tolerated. Also, have another blood draw on April 3rd then a meeting with the hematologist on April 6th and discuss how things are going in that area of my life. Thankfully, everything from the bone marrow biopsy came back negative. My world is much brighter today than 12 weeks ago. This mornings snow has continued throughout the day with no accumulation, but loving the moisture content it brings. Hoping you had a good day!