The Silence In Between

The silence in between is a warm soft breeze for the soul. It happens every year. Thanksgiving has become a moment in your history and Christmas has not yet hit its full stride. 

Gap days build a bridge between the end of Thanksgiving and the beginning of the jingling bells. This space offers itself up as an opportunity to stop, pause, ponder, appreciate and truly drink in the atmosphere that creates your world. The most important elements in this atmosphere are the people you hold most dear. The in between is a time to see them and take hold of the gift most treasured.The in between silence is a gift to cherish and receive, not casually, but to fully embrace, like your favorite teddy bear or that rare box of chocolate that is not to be shared; it is yours alone.

Don't be fooled, it makes appearances throughout the year. The art is in recognizing it when it comes to visit. Vigilance is necessary, it will not announce itself. Cloaked in the every day in, out, up, down, happy, sad threads that weave the tapestry of our life together; it peeks around the corner. You will find it waiting on the front porch when you dare to sit with your hot tea and private thoughts. In the corner chair after the family is snuggled into bed and the novel you are in the middle of, calls your name. It presents itself when your five year old gets a cold and story books read together under the covers turn the afternoon into a forever memory. 

What about the glorious gift of two empty hours that were meant to be filled with appointments and are now free; they belong to you. Instead of rushing, doing twelve different errands, you find yourself on the beach and your toes in the sand. The in between silence pops up when you let the laundry wait a day and you find your husband, slip your hand into his and you allow silence to envelop the pair of you in a cocoon of comfortable, quieted togetherness. The silence is here and there; will you develop your skill into an art of recognition? Will you dare?

Thank You Thomas

Turkey, it gets a good deal of attention this time of year. Featured in stories, pageants, silly songs, craft projects executed by three year olds, endless advertisements from cars to mattresses.....and why? Well, because great, great, great, great, great, great Grandfather Tom lived in the woodland area, where on that day it seemed like a good idea to have turkey for dinner. Can't say I disagree, turkey is just good eatin'.  

I like the aftermath. After the knives, forks, spoons and plates, each dish and guest have been accounted for.......after the good byes have been said, and hugs exchanged with a kiss and a squeeze. 

After the midnight pie has been digested.....shhhh don't tell, 'cause let's face it....on no diet plan will you find that one suggested. Sleep comes.

The day after arrives, left overs burden the fridge.......A sign hangs in the kitchen:

 "Cook is gone to soak her feet." 

Now, I add up the ingredients of the aftermath:

Duty done...............................................X

Love bestowed....................................................X

Left overs consumed.......................................................X

                                         Reward Arrives

The day after, the day after; this is the day we have turkey tacos. From the time I was small, the day after, the day after I have enjoyed them all. I have one thing more, a great honor. A thank you I give in posterity most certain, in his day they long ago drew the curtain.

I am thankful for the day after the day after; it's all because of the original sacrifice of great, great, great, great, great, great Grandfather Tom.

An Ode to Southern California

Clouds Grey, Rain On its way
Thirsty plants wait with expectation   
throughout the day.
Will it come? I will watch, wait 
and hope if I may.

Still and low lying water 
turning into over flowing pools.

Waiting for the long needed downpour
We in the south, hold fast to hope like 
stubborn mules.

One day, it is going to come; it is going to happen.
So much water will arrive, the ducks will swim,
Their feathered wings will be flappin!

Warm Fuzzies

Sweet cookies, Warm chocolate

Board games, popcorn bowls heaping

Fuzzy slippers, Puppy breath

Little wiggly, cuddly nippers.

Laughter, music, joy, smiles, dancing

Every minute, the love enhancing

Take them all, be smart

Every one of these special

moments, commit to memory

Take to heart.

The Year I Was Six

The year I was six, I received a baby doll. Nothing earth shattering about a little girl with a doll, but when that doll is snatched away, earth shattering is exactly what it is. I was proud of my baby; attached in a serious way. While only rubber, she was real to me. Can you remember the Velveteen Rabbit? My sister even crocheted a poncho for her. (It was the 70's, so go with the flow of my story.)

On "Show and Tell" day, I proudly shared my baby doll.

I don't remember what I said or if anyone cared one lick about my presentation. However, with resounding clarity, I remember my teacher taking her. As an adult, I can guess that she presented a distraction during our time of learning. She told me she would give "IT" back after school.

The day dragged on and then the bell rang. Freedom, and time for me to recoup my loss, but she didn't give her back!! I went home traumatized and in tears; completely devastated. Calmly, my mother called the school and my father went to retrieve my prize possession. All was well!!

Did my parents feel the same attachment I felt for my baby doll? I'm thinking they did not feel the least bit attached to her. But to me, that's completely different. I was their baby and what mattered to me, mattered to them.

God does this for us. We matter!  Our wants and needs , our little tiny likes and dislikes are of actual importance to Him. We are His children. Don't get so caught up in the big picture that you miss the details. Understand and expect God's attention...100%  eyes on you!! Everyday loving you, delighting in your company; enjoying your sense of humor and being willing and able to deliver on every promise.

                       Depend upon Him, He will never falter.

Fall Has Arrived

Fall has arrived. A new season has begun!

Let's think of what that means for us.

  Old things are falling away.

    We can fall securely into God's Arms.

   Everything for our lives, by the touch of 

    God's hand, is falling into place.

Struggles, Differences, Importance, Diminish

If two people are struggling with paramount differences, 

it is possible that if each party makes it a priority 

to move toward the heart of God, change will follow.

I suggest that your differences may not change, 

but the importance you place on them may diminish.