A Tuesday Sunset

This is the view I came home to today after work. It’s miraculous how the everyday grind of going to work etc. melts away with a little light and fresh air at the end of the day. I am so thankful to live in such a beautiful world. My heart pangs on a daily basis from magical little moments like this.

Lighthearted Lily

I sat once in a garden swing enjoying a sunshiny day, When on the breeze I heard the talk of flower sprites underway. “Come and sing a song with me,” said the Lily to the Rose with sport. “I’m much too dignified for all of that,” was the red flower’s stuffy retort. So to the Daisy the Lily asked, “Won’t you join in my fun?” But the Little Bud was busy, soaking up the sun. She continued with effort to find a friend, but with no luck it came That the Lighthearted Lily decided on her own to play a game. She sang a song pure, simple, and sweet with a voice born in the dew; It made me forget the troubles of life bringing joy and spirit renewed. I too began to sing with the lily on the wind The song that all the lilies sing of how to be a friend. And one by one the song was joined by other garden dwellers; Such a chorus I’ve never heard like that of all the flowers.

Rain

In the earliest moments of morning, Long before day decides to dawn. I lie awake in my bed. Drinking in the drizzle as it Tap dances across my open window Inhaling the wet mist drifting into my room. Cold air hangs above my warm blanket. Dark. Shadows creep across the walls. In this moment Entranced by the Simple Existence of Rain.

Halloween 2013 – Channeling Charlie

For Halloween this year I decided to be Charlie Chaplin, a true American hero. He dedicated his life to making the rest of the world laugh. There aren’t many causes better than that. How do you think I did?

Rain Dances

A million tiny blue droplets water the morning. A woman with brown hair and kind eyes looks up from the Times crossword puzzle she has finished.  She gazes out beyond the glow of her kitchen window. She has experienced a multitude of wet days just like today. Watching the water trickle down the window pane takes her mind back to a simpler time, and a younger version of herself. . . She is sixteen years old.  Frank Sinatra sings on Dad’s worn out record player.  The rain keeps time with the music. They are in his bookstore.  He peruses the rare books section while she does inventory. This is their Friday night ritual. Suddenly, a hand is on her shoulder.  She looks into her Father’s smiling eyes.  He takes her out to the middle of the store’s faded wood floor.  They dance.  He croons, “Don’t know why there’s no sun up in the sky…Stormy Weather. Since my gal and I ain’t together…”  She laughs softly.  Everything is just as it should be; just the two of them suspended in that moment in time. No one can dance like Dad; not even Fred Astaire. Thunder takes the woman back further. The…

Seasons

To everything there is a season, Someone wiser than I has said. Spring when you wake in the morning, Winter when you go to bed. I’ve seen babies with December eyes, When surroundings frost too soon, Yet others though their hair is gray, Have stopped the clock at noon. The changing times are constant, The paradox alludes, Whether inward soul knows Spring or Fall, Is really up to you. Still after Spring has sprung, And Autumn falls away, There’s a longing to go back again, To relive long lost days. While looking back is very fine, It simply shows where we’ve been. There is joy in the here and now, New memories about to begin. The trick is to live in the moment, Drink in the present scene. Don’t worry about what’s ahead or behind, But enjoy what this season brings.

When I Opened My Mouth to Sing

The light was bright and the room was quiet. Hundreds of faces, some familiar and some not, were turned towards a small girl who stood on a stage. She wore a blue dress, simple and elegant, and her caramel hair was smooth and straight down to her shoulders. She was not beautiful, but her face was kind and laughter was in her eyes. In the back of the stage someone started to play the piano. The melody was simple, but it became sweeter at the sound of the girl’s voice as she suddenly started to sing. She sang a high note here and a low note there. She sang of Winter turned into Spring, and of the love a child can bring. She sang a song of hope and a song of sadness. She sang about courage and showing gladness. And as she sang suddenly I stood. I felt her song was my own. When I opened my mouth to sing I found my voice, though not as accomplished, could accompany hers without shame. She smiled at me and we sang together in harmony. Then others were standing around me and joining the chorus. Not a voice was unworthy to…

Circle Chant

Sit beneath a purple bower Breath in deep the dreaming power Of wind and sky and tree and flower Till ebbs away the magic hour And the time has come to wander Through life’s pathways and to ponder Happenings close and far off yonder Till exercised the heart grows fonder Of tasting, touching, seeing, listening A world of wonder, and resisting That complacent bone when twitching Keep the moment that’s existing Fresh and new, full of flavor Colors vibrant meant to savor Go with gusto, do not waver Life is richer when you’re braver As the orange sun is setting Time has come again for resting Contemplate your varied blessings The circle’s made yet never ending.

Thankful for Temples

Dear Readers, Today I have been meditating a lot about temple work and what it really means in my life. My family and I watched a great LDS movie called, “Mormon Temple: Mountain of the Lord.” (Click the link to watch it yourself).  It is a great movie, and it shows the sacrifices that the early members of the church made to make the blessings of the temple available to each of us. I was able to go through the temple myself almost 3 years ago in November of 2010. It was a very special day. I have grown up in the church, and I always knew I would go to the temple. But when I finally went for myself it was a life changing experience. I don’t know exactly what I expected it to be like. I have struggled with different things in my life, and I guess that I thought if I made it to the temple that somehow those problems would fade away. I’ll tell you right now, that didn’t happen. I left the temple that day with all of the same struggles that I had before going inside. However, I was able to make covenants with a loving Heavenly…