Pause to Ponder

A small thing, really
placing some festive color with evergreens
in a flower bed on the roadway into Hammond

But what joy and beauty are found
in the simplest of things
that the season of Christmas brings!

Oh, sweet child—each and every one
So quick to learn the ways of want & plenty
May you know how precious you already are—
And by Love’s encouragement always will be!

In our sweet little house on Whidbey Island
I pause to ponder the joy and bright sadness
of this holiday season

Old & new memories woven into one precious life
loved ones near and far together
in person, online, and forever in Spirit

In this season of waiting & preparation I am called
to the soul’s work of ultimate things,
open to the coming of Life now and on the horizon

A shout out to all anam cara— THANK YOU!
What a blessing to have soul friends who offer
spiritual care & guidance for the journey

Our art and the sacred are closely related
—a co-creative receiving and expressing life
that are one and the same act

I smiled again first thing this morning
Yes, praying before I rose from bed
I drew from a deep place of inner peace

Not every picture of me smiling appears genuine
But when based on benevolence, stirring joy within
I can radiate hope and freshness—and so can you!

Carol and I were invited to plant daffodil bulbs
with a host of folks at Pioneer Presbyterian.
In spring blooms will be plucked to form a cross.

I admire these older people and this sweet ritual that lies at the heart of their faith community-
Answering the call to a larger experience of life

With the days growing shorter
in the season of my earthly life
I am grateful for elders who inspire and delight

Some friends invited me on a walk yesterday
into a lovely sanctuary of trees
at the heart of a woods that surrounds their home

We bathed in the richness of life found in nature—delightfully reminded of the grace
that is always within and around us

Called in our older years
to give hope to the next generation
all hands & hearts reaching for fullness of life