How little it takes ....

There is the saying about the camel .. you know, the one straw that finally broke the camel's back..that whole concept works in reverse also. How little it takes to make a person smile, or feel heard, or feel loved.
Miniscule things we do every day can make or break a person. You never know what is going on in another person's life at the moment you tell them how dumb they are or how nice their haircut looks.
Sometimes just the act of "noticing" can mean a great deal; or not noticing ...

random strangers, co-workers, friends, family

how little it takes ... and how much power we each wield to do more than a little
harm ... or ... good ... or ... indifference
in our world --- in the lives of those we pass
in the hearts of those we love

Dad

When I was little, I looked ”up” to you for the simple reason that you were so much taller than I was. Over time, as I began to interact in the world more, I looked to you to learn the Golden Rule. I saw neighborhood kids who respected you for your strength in knowing what was wrong and what was right. We all knew that if something was happening, you would be the one to set it right.

I remember our 4H club; all the things you taught us; the places we went; the experiences we had. I loved the fairs where we could show off our animals, crafts, art-work, vegetables, flowers ….you taught us to take pride in hard work brought to fruition.

There were the Doodle-bug pulls…the mini-bikes….snowmobiles. Time at Lake Bomoseen swimming, learning to row, drive a motor boat, playing for hours in the water with a swamped wooden boat. Drives at dusk looking for deer….

Days of weeding, pulling dandelions (getting paid by the bushel), picking vegetables, flowers and fruit to sell. Sunday drives to nowhere with a hidden snack in the glove compartment stopping for cider and apples. Learning archery, how to shoot a gun, how to make a birdfeeder, woodworking, how to repair broken things we valued. Having our own cider press so we could make the freshest and best cider ever. Learning to drive a car in the field our back, driving tractors and lawnmowers. Having a tire swing…a Fort in our backyard to play in…

You taught us, by example, to be strong and self-sufficient. We learned to be critical thinkers and to keep up with what is going on in the world. We learned economics by selling farm goods in front of the house. We learned ….many, many lessons to get us through everyday life. Too many to remember and write on this paper.

The Christmas tree farm was a lesson in long-term planning. It takes many seasons to grow a tree. Knowing that the payout was not immediate, but the work still must be done daily, weekly, yearly was a great lesson in life. Raising children is a bit like growing Christmas trees; a lot of work, a bit of pruning, good soil, some water… and eventually they go on to serve their purpose in life.

As an adult I still look up to you – you are still taller than I, but that is not the reason. I look up to you and the life you lived because you have lived an honorable life. You worked hard at your job, raised wonderful organic gardens and a family that I am proud to belong to. You went on to raise Christmas trees, build toys for children in the hospital, and stand tall for the things you believe in. You have mentored many children, not just your own. You are both a father and a friend to cousin Jack.

Best of all you are my dad.

Thank you!
Love always …

the screen was solid blue

- the video clip had ended minutes before
and only two words remained

"no signal"

the pall bearers gently lifted the child's casket ......

have you ever shared a word with someone who does not speak the same as you?
did they know that the word you spoke was both resonant and true?

have you ever shared a story that was sent from heart to heart,
even when the two of you were so very far apart?

have you ever shared a whisper, so soft that none could hear,
and listened quite intently for a reply from someone dear?

have you ever sent a kiss so light and sweet upon the winds,
and hoped it landed gently upon all your long, lost friends?

have you ever sent a heartfelt wish across the open skies,
and seen the glimmer of hope appear in a faraway set of eyes?

have you ever sent your heart soaring up beyond the sky above,
and waited for the moment that it rained back down the purest love?

have you ever emptied out your soul and felt life just drain away,
only to realize you had just made room for more good to come your way?

have you ever ...stopped... just for a bit... to savor all you see?
have you ever forgot to start again being who you were meant to be?

Mother’s Day 2011

Spring is when life renews…and we are reminded of the person who brought us life; the person who nurtured us and then gave us our wings.

Whoever you call ‘mother’; whoever you looked to when you were young for care, guidance and love; whoever inspires you to be a kinder human being; today we honor that person in our lives.

Remember that the love experienced throughout our lives continues to grow inside of us, waiting to be shared again and again across the generations. All the kindness, smiles, and hugs that we received have taught us the value of sharing simple joys with others.

All of the love we have experienced is ours now to give away – it is free and endless! On this day, and throughout the year, take a moment to reflect on the person who nurtured you; recall the life lessons they taught you; make them yours.

… and never stop sharing the love

Innocence lost …

I am saddened to hear the words "He was caught. Justice was realized."

assassination is not justice

no matter how heinous the crime

no matter how heinous the criminal

Clutter.... in G#

Minimize clutter - mind, body, spirit...one of the reminders on my 'bucket list'. In an effort to de-clutter my environment, I have been trying to clear out the accumulations of a partial-lifetime. Silly things, paper things, old things ... things that do not fit my body, my life, my goals any longer.

I came across a guitar, unused, in a closet. This is not the first unused guitar I have ever owned. This is one in a long line of unused guitars I have owned...somewhere in my silly head I keep thinking that miraculously I will wake up one day and with discipline I have yet to discover, start practicing and playing this instrument.

Today was, once again, NOT that day.

There are things we yearn to do in life that we should never discard; dreams that we still need to pursue...and then there is the neverending presence of an unused guitar in my closet. Not a talent I have ever had; not a gift lurking in my soul waiting for the right moment to jump out and promote me into the realm of Segovia....or Lui Collins...or Lady Gaga. Right up there with my desire to dance and sing, that guitar sits just out of sight; day in and day out.

I am not quite sure what this guitar, and my inability to post it on Craig's list so it can follow in the path of previous unused guitars, really means. Perhaps it is that there are so many beautiful gifts and skills in life that we cannot each experience ...perhaps it is a reminder to find the things we can do and to keep doing them? Somewhere in the world there is a person sitting looking at a pile of old Tee-shirts and wishing they could make a really nifty necklace out of them. I should ditch the guitar and stock up on sissors and save those people...because I do know how to do that! Perhaps I can write a story, an essay, a poem...to get someone through their day, and they in turn will play me a song...and I will listen to the sweet music and my day will be better.

I need to pass this guitar along, and not replace it once again 3 months down the road. I need to seek out the music the world already offers; perhaps dance in the moonlight, and when the windows of my car are rolled up tightly, sing at the top of my lungs ... and call it a 'really good day'.

The guitar is not my muse...but the music it makes belongs to all of us...a musician will find the notes, and a singer will find the words, and the world will hear the song.

And last, but not least, I will find my way.