Life’s Loose Ends

I don’t know about you, but I like to tie up loose ends. The sense that a situation or project has a fitting conclusion makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The room remodeled or the relationship restored has a kind of completion feel that makes my day. However, life does not lend itself …

The Stranger’s Gift of Clarity

The Stranger Dogging my steps, stalked a man in the shadows. With hat pulled down and trench coat covering his face, he followed at a distance Fear gripped my throat as I clutched my cloak, like a desperate mother pulling her children to safety. Try as I might to ignore his pursuit, the sound of rainwater squishing between …

#59 Weaving Life Stories

I say I trust God, but then I'm all over my unanswered questions like a kitten on a ball of string. Playful, yes, but often obsessive just the same. I want direction presented straight up, but my Creator seems more interested in weaving life stories. Daily, I sift through memories in an attempt to create meaningful prose. In …

The Charade

I am the Wizard of Oz Hiding behind a curtain of my own design Blogs flashing, words splashing Mask of purpose firmly in place All in an attempt to hide my insignificance Sometimes in the midst of self-doubt, I feel like a charlatan. Just as the Wizard of Oz controlled his masterful devices from behind a veil …

“Mary, I miss you.”

I miss my former Twelve-step sponsor. I want to tell her I sang her favorite affirmation on the way to work yesterday, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad," and it worked. I felt my courage return.       I want to tell her that I sing this scripture …

The Parable of the Talents

"You know," my mother's kindly eyes sparkled as she spoke, "When I was in real estate school, I learned that you need to take down your personal photos when trying to sell your home."      "Really," I hummed while studying her face, waiting for what would come next.      "Yes, that's right. People walk in and get distracted …

Resilience

Resilience Oh willowy beauty Unearthing treasures from the sea A priceless knowing lost in youth Dark waters engulfed identity Remember, Resilience Oh willowy beauty Extracting courage from your soul A costly pearl retrieved through loss Oysters fill with wisdom to cajole Remember, Resilience Yesterday, my daughter repeatedly came to my mind. I walked into my art …

Puddle Jumping

I wish I could go through life jumping from one puddle of destiny to the next.     Unfortunately, real living often includes large sections of hot, black asphalt.      This morning a puddle of destiny came to me; I merely had to turn and step, in order to land smack dab in the middle.   I confess, …

Treasures of the Soul

What if the treasures we seek reside within human souls? How amazing it would be if our rewards for a job well done came in terms of promoting faith, hope, and love in others. I doubt we would see all of the actual fruit of our labor this side of heaven but the concept enchants …