August Break 2014 - Day 31 - Love

Beautiful sunset

a pleasant ending

to a delightful late-summer day

spent with loved ones.

.            *            .

August Break - Day 30 - Soft

(one more day!)

.              *               .

August Break - Day 29 - Nature

.               *              .

August Break - Day 28 - Something New

It's a new day. 

.           *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 27 - Lines

This kind, old friend

greets me every time

I leave

and

every time

I come home.

 

(Alls I need to do is simply pay attention.) 

 

.            *            .

 

Trust

I'm needing a gentle reminder today.

In a move of thought-filled self-care and wanting to lean into and honor both of my love languages, Words of Affirmation and Touch, I took this selfie.

I suffered from earaches as a young girl and I remember lying on the couch with my head in Moma's lap so she could pour the warmed medicine in my ear.  She would then gently move my earlobe around so the oil would be evenly distributed. 

 

Lying there for a while (probably as instructed) she would then stroke my hair and ear and I still remember how so-o-o-o-o-othing it all felt. 

 

(Ah, so it would seem that Touch has been a love language of mine for a very long time.)

 

As a way to recapture some of that special one-on-one time with my Moma, I intentionally placed the "Trust" in my selfie over the hair on my brow.

Smiling softly as I imagine her (and many other beloveds) stroking me right there with patient reassurance and whispering:

"Trust, sweet one.

Just trust."

.            *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 26 - Morning

The beautiful morning view

from my chair.

.            *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 25 - Little

 

A bead from a bracelet

made for me by a friend

in celebration of my 50th birthday

(2 years ago)

 

.               *              .



August Break - Day 24 - Memory

Moma put this sweet little guy

on my birthday cake one year

when we were back visiting.

Here she is decorating the cake

that my sweet angel sat on

with two very cute helpers 

looking on.

Smiling because I still remember 

the joy she felt

in having her little grandkids

looking on with *such* interest.

.             *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 23 - Adornment

Sweet hubby 

and some other friends 

who keep me company 

while I prepare meals.

.               *              .

August Break 2014 - Day 22 - Shadow

August Break 2014 - Day 21 - Treasures

A few cherished treasures that keep me company at work. 

.              *              .

August Break 2014 - Day 20 - Peaceful

This is the waiting area of our office

and it feels so peaceful to me.

This peaceful pond isn't too far from here

and the splash is a fishie!

.             *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 19 - Black and White

I did two today!  

.              *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 18 - Jump

.            *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 17 - Bookshelf

This shelf is right behind 

my old, comfy brown rocker-recliner 

making it easy to lean back 

and grab one of my favorites. 

.            *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 16 - Look Down

.           *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 15 - Blue

A very special gift 

from our very dear goddaughter. 

.          *           .

Miracles Do Happen

They do indeed. 

My dearly beloved Daddy is much better!

.            *           .

August Break 2014 - Day 14 - Hands

Someone very dear to me is on my heart 

(and in my prayers). 

.            *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 13 - Guilty Pleasure

While I don't know about the "guilty" part, 

grinning because 

I sure enjoy the pleasure of mandala making and markers. 

.             *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 12 - On the Table

Beautiful angel, sweet birdie, and my crutches, Bert and Ernie. 

.              *             .

August Break 2014 - Day 11 - Handwriting

One of my most favorite quotes. 

August Break 2014 - Day 10 - Drink

Enjoying cherry limes and some lovely Sunday afternoon downtime. 

.          *           .

August Break 2014 - Day 9 - In my bag

Two friends tucked in my coin purse 

so that I see them 

every time I need change.  

The dancing lady is a gift 

from a wise one 

and the "angel" key 

reminds me to look 

for Grace's presence 

all around me.

.            *             .

Poetry Challenge - Second Try!

Ok, so I did another one!

(Hmmmm, she says with a twinkle, could this poetry practice be my next mandala-like craze? )
............................................

Life lessons passed down
from mother to daughter
working side by side
all hearts are watered

Stoves, sinks and countertops,
classrooms disguised as kitchens
bodies and souls are nourished
while washing the dishes

Even at funerals and weddings
womenfolk will gather
to witness and share
their news, tears, and banter

Easily summed up like this:
at the end of the day
what attracts them together
are the deep connections made
and, yes, of course, the laughter.

..................................................

This time my words were: anonymous, funeral, wedding, liquor, attract, daughter, loyal, day, kitchen, summed. They were all found on page 29 of the book, "Being Dead Is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral" by Metcalfe and Hays

.            *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 8 - Selfie

A quiet morning moment.

.            *            .

Poetry Challenge

I've dabbled a little bit in poetry and have enjoyed it every time.  Curious if I could find any, I googled "poetry prompts" yesterday and found a lovely list of "30 Prompts for National Poetry Month" here.  

The first one is:  Grab the closest book. Go to page 29. Write down 10 words that catch your eye. Use 7 of words in a poem. For extra credit, have 4 of them appear at the end of a line.

The closet book is one I'm slowly working my way thru (and would recommend), Palmer Parker's, Healing the Heart of Democracy.  Here's the poem I came up with.


Unspoken confessions
buried deep within,
accidental cradle
of memories and skin

Ancient, hopeless thirst
yearns for relief,
wherever on earth
did I get so much grief?

Unquestioned lives
cannot educate,
but spiritual seeking,
in time, emancipates

No need to do it alone
for help comes in many forms,
friends, mentors, and family,
welcomed shelter in the storms

.          *          .

August Break 2014 - Day 7 - Today is .... up in the wee hours

.          *          .

What Went Well Wednesday

Today I am thankful for:

1.  Gently wise book, surprise from a co-worker, lunchtime soul nourishment

2.  Feeling more grounded as we walk thru a pretty big changing-of-the-guard at work

3.  Better night's rest (and sleep)

4.  Creativity unearthed during month-long photo challenge

5.  Hubby's patient help with electronic music

6.  Quiet assurances that I really do have more expertise than most in our new system

7.  Working thru tasks at a pace that feels right for me

8.  Kindness and humility radiating from new "guard"

9.  Tensions easing in others, too

10. Clean laundry

.            *            .

August Break 2014 - Day 6 - Reflection

.          *          .

August Break 2014 - Day 5 - Three

Three guardian angels,

who happen to be cowgirls,

named Faith, Friends, and Family. 

 

.            *             .

 

August Break 2013 - Day 4 - Orange

Happy Kite Stained Glass Mandala

 

.          *           .

 

August Break 2014 - Day 3 - Window

Our bedroom window this morning.

.          *          .

August Break 2014 - Day 2 - Pattern

Treasured quilt.

Handmade-with-love

birthday gift 

from a dear sister.

.          *          .

August Break 2014 - Day 1 - Lunch

Because journaling and drinking tea from a favorite mug are nourishment, too. 

A Love Letter to Debbie Jo

(me, 4 years old)

Dearest Debbie Jo,

Yes, wee one,
still alive and well,
and watching from
inside my heart . . .

She's gone.

And I *know*
it scratches at
some tender,
broken places.

(How on earth could it not?)

But this time?
It's different.

I know, my love.
It's hard to believe,
when the feelings
and the memories
are so present.
Big, yet *almost*
imperceptible.

But it really is
.  .  .  true  .  .  .

I, the woman,
Debbie Grace
am here now,
 .   .  too   .   .

You are no longer
.  .  .  alone .  .  .
That precious child,
.  .  abandoned  .  .
by her beloved Moma
at a time when you
so desperately needed her.

It *was* devastating,
no doubt about that.
But that all happened
a lifetime ago.
(dropping to a whisper)
It's over now, my sweet.

So cry the tears,
bottled up for years,
aching, *needing* to be shed.
This is how healing spreads.

And when you are ready,
as best you can,
come back
.  .  (((home)))  .  .
to *this* moment.

Intentionally take the time
to look around and see.
Nesting in the safety of the
warm, encircling sea.

I am here
Mama Grace is here
Auntie Mercy is here
And, lookie right over there ...
Sisters, Enough and Hope,
are keeping watch, too

Gently wrap yourself
in our tender care,
watching as each one
joins her love with
that of all of the other
so-honored-to-be-yours mothers.

Moma, who can
now love you as
she yearns towards you
from her perch in heaven.

All of your grandmothers . . .
by blood,
by marriage
and by heart.

Trust that we all
love you very much.

Raise your weeping eyes
and look to us,
listening and receiving
our crucial words of
blessed affirmation.

As I gently
cup your face,
close your eyes
and lean in,
trusting each one's hand
covers mine
as we
. . . . . all . . . . .
send love and healing
to those deepest,
aching scars.

You're ok, Little One.

And this wave of grief?
It will pass.
Just like all of the others have.

I promise.

All my love,
Debbie Grace
who is still trustin' in Mama Grace, Auntie Mercy, Enough, and now Hope

.           *           .