Keep Tending

 Weeds, thorns, thistles

Broken twigs and dried

up blossoms

Forgotten, this garden

That is how it appears

It didn't get this way

overnight; it took years.

It had its start, full of enthusiasm. 

Energy was expended as the garden 

was lovingly tended. 

Patience easily offered.

Forgiveness for shortcomings

easily extended.

 As the weeds began to grow,

returning again and again, 

the forgiveness came harder,

patience wore thin. 

What is to be done 

when it feels that there   

is so much work and you

are fighting against time, 

 the very setting of the sun?

A fresh set of tools is what's needed,

 the old ones were not meant for the job. 

The sun does set, but it also rises again.

Yesterday may have left you with a back ache. 

Today might have been full of uncovering

unknown weeds 

choking out the 

potential of your seeds,

      but I implore you, cherished gardener...      

Keep tending that 

garden, because there is so 

much good left at stake.

If you just don't feel like you can contend

 with one more unwanted weed, I implore you 

to call upon the Master Gardener. 

He has all you lack, all you need.

Wings

June, no gloom

June, it's a birthday month

Time to sing that annual tune

June, the ceremonies are in full swing

Weddings and Graduations

Lots of Happy hearts 

testing their wings

Yes June, a time of transitions and letting go 

Trusting the decisions 

of the ones you love

giving them the space

to learn and grow

Interesting thought to ponder, this business of letting go.

It doesn't mean to disregard and turn your back....

It means it is time to wait in the wings while 

the bride, the groom, the graduate 

take center stage in their own life.

But when it comes to love, there is no age...

it isn't required

Hugs have no expiration

Kind words never go out of fashion

So, let go with confidence as the new season unfolds.

Surprises, treasured moments, and unexpected adventures

are all up ahead

Immerse yourself into today

Enjoy it in every way

Don't long for yesterday

or fret for tomorrow...

                                          Let go

               Love on

                                 

Prepare for new adventures.

Sour Pickles and Coconut Cake

A track goes in circles, a path may twist, turn, and curve but it leads somewhere.

So where are you headed? 

In circles or are you forging your own path?

It pays to stop, look up and then around. 

Do you like what you see? Is your heart settled?

Life is a series of do overs when over dues feel all too common.

 It begins with a thought, leading to an attitude adjusted just a hair and a fresh perspective..... 

Because if you look at the same situation from the same vantage point, you will never see the crack that let the light in and shows you the way out. 

Life is layers of flavors, not all our favorites, but sometimes you need to swallow one to get to the desired taste. It is a valuable thing to keep in mind that nothing is a waste, because sour pickles teach you to appreciate coconut cake. 

So head up, eyes open, expectation polished.

Everyone has something to offer.

No one is without purpose.

Anyone can be ordinary.

You are somebody, so dare to be extraordinary. 

Jump the track. Find your path.

No Matter

Toadstools, Bar Stools

Log dragging Mules

Young boys cutting class, 

breaking the rules.

Country living, City dwelling

No matter who you are.....

You are a story worth telling.

Sometimes it all goes according

to plan

with every detail jelling.

Other times you think,

wonder and wish

how nice it would be for 

Something, anything

to fall into place.

Discouraged, you harbor the knowledge

that up your sleeve you hold

no ace.

No matter......

Heavenly Father, Full of Grace

I give you my Troubles

worries, concerns and burdens.

Please lift them off my shoulders 

and help me learn the lessons

only learned 
from walking the hard spots.

Thank you for protecting me as I go

from all the fired shots

and every arrow they throw.....

 for removing the ugly things far from my sight,

out of my heart and out of my life.

As I travel this new path,

I thank you for replacing it all with your best,

Showing me the way

with your abundant light.

Maybe Just One

Gathered together, under the Maple tree.

Count them, little freckled faced girls,

I see three.

Picked flowers in hand, 

they connect them one by one.

Before you know it....

the daisy chains are done. 

Upon their heads they place 

their flowery crowns and

twirl with glee, dancing...those bubbling three.

Innocent joy, giggles accompanied by playful wiggles.

Summer sun, tickling breeze.

Memories made under the trees.

 As they share the afternoon 

playing games with each other, 

they warmly tease.

This is not your memory

 or experience, but you have some...

Maybe just one.

Remember the sweet days that belong just to you.

Build on that...daring to make

a memory

born from the happenings of this day.

Today is a great day to make a new start.

Freedom.....May It Always Be Ours

For the next three days the flags will fly, the rifles will fire 
in ceremonial honor; memories of wars gone by will come 
to the forefront and flowers will be left at the graves of those 
who went to war bravely and came home to be laid to rest eternally. 

What did they do it for? The goal?

They hoped for an end result; simply that you and your children and grandchildren born and yet to come, would know freedom.

So plant your flowers, BBQ with gusto, picnic in a way that will invite ants from miles around to attend, play tag in your backyard or frisbee on the beach after a good swim. 

Hike to the top of a mountain and view this land of ours. 
Watch the sunrise announcing the beginning of a new day. 
Live with an open and grateful heart for what you have been given.

Live Free

The price was paid

Don't waste it

Relish it everyday

Look Around

     Cut Flowers....Plants rooted....Perennial or Annual

   Seeds that, over time, grow into mighty trees.

   Bulbs and Seeds planted in the earth.

All of these wonders of nature, 

teaching us lessons our whole lives through, 

nearly from the time of our birth.

 It isn't for everyone, you see, because it takes 

an interested eye, 

a thoughtful mind 

 and an open heart 

willing to be taught. 

So many of us walk through life missing some of the best parts; moving through our days totally blind. 

It isn't the result of not being able to,

 it is a matter of choosing not to see. 

Cut flowers teach us to enjoy the moment we are in,

 for it will soon be gone. 

Young plants teach us to nurture delicate things that need to establish themselves.

Perennials teach us to care for the people in our lives 

over the long haul.

 Annuals show us the importance of making

 the most of every day 

because, certain experiences last 

a season of time and are no more. 

Seeds that grow into trees,

 teach us 

that if we choose to engage in the belief

 that something great 

can come from something small, 

we will develop the art of patience 

and be rewarded mightily in the right time. 

Bulbs and seeds

 teach us

 to expect something beautiful to pop up,

 never knowing exactly the time or the day.

 When we care for a thing, 

seeing no outward progress or sign 

and still expect,

things sprout and then blossom. 

It is all around us, this beautiful classroom 

filled with life enriching lessons.

 Remove your blinders and take a peek.

 Learn that results never materialize 

if we don't nurture what we have been given. 

Believe, have patience and expect sweet scents to fill your life.

 I urge you to try this... 

whether  you are a child, a mother, a father, 

or if you are a husband or a wife.