It's been ages since I last participated in Five Minute Friday. It's where we write for 5 minutes flat on a given subject. No editing, no worrying. It is so much fun! This week the prompt is: view.
Here goes:
Right here the view looks pretty. Serene. Scenery falling into place, the road ahead looking bright.
But I've driven darker roads. The rearview mirror flashing blinding lights, high beams illuminating loss, loneliness, misunderstanding and grief. When we check the view behind us, the road ahead looks smoother, gratitude rushing in over a road smoothly paved.
Sideview mirrors reveal mixed scenery; lives ripped apart, marriages ending, new ones beginning. Feasts, famine and everything in between. These views give clearer perspective on the road ahead, heavy heart swelling though leveed by hope.
Driving on I take all this in--roads traveled, others' trails. Stepping on the gas with the windows down, radio's soft hum wafting on fragrant breezes, thankful for this calm stretch and trusting the view ahead will be spectacular.
Linking up with Gypsy Mama this morning for 5 Minute Friday. 5 Minute Friday is where we write for five minutes flat on a given topic, no more, no less, no edits. The prompt this week is "vivid." Here goes:
Start.
Memories come vivid, like technicolor flashes at the most surprising times. Never knowing what might trigger one, a sight, a smell, an outing. Doing something with the kids.
The smell of lemony body wash in the shower, the one I used the day of her funeral. The one I had bought for her last birthday, 2 weeks before she died, never to be used. The wash we found at her house, in the bathtub, along with the last clothes she ever wore, washed and hung there to dry.
The pickle ornament we hang on the tree in December, the way it sparkles all vivid in sunlight. Remembering the days long ago when my sister and me scrambled to find that pickle on the tree in hopes of a small prize, Mom hiding it so delicately in branches of evergreen.
Playing boardgames with the kids, vivid technicolor memories flood in of laughter over Chinese Checkers, mom moving shiny black pegs, fingertips greasy from chips and chocolate milk. Her laughter soaring loud and contagious, like a flock of migrating geese honking their way south.
Vivid memories. Memories to treasure for always.
Stop.
My son, Adam, finding the Christmas pickle on our tree this past Christmas, carrying on the tradition my mom started
Linking up with The Gypsy Mama today for another Five Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is where we write on a given topic for 5 minutes only. It's so much fun! This week the topic is "growing."
Here goes:
Growing. Sometimes it's hard to see our growth. I'm reminded of the lyrics of that Raffi song:
"I Wonder if I'm growing, I wonder if I'm growing. My mom says yes I'm growing, but it's really hard to see."
Six year old son beams with pride as he begins his first year of Cub Scouts, and 3 year old son cries bitter frustrated tears that he's not yet old enough to participate. I draw him near and assure him that one day he'll get there.
It's hard to wait for growth. Always, we're looking ahead to the future, for our growth sometimes feels too slow to dwell on in the present. We look to the day when we'll have accomplished this or that, a big milestone we're anxiously awaiting, or the wisdom we so badly want.
But we are growing. If we pause to instead look back, we can truly see our growth. Take a moment to look back on where you've come from. It's hard to see back so many miles, on that twisty and sometimes rough terrain. But that's how we truly know that the growing has taken place. Look back on the bumps in the road, take a moment to dwell on the potholes, the road flooded heavy with fat tears and heavy disappointment.
Growing.
Becoming more fully who we are and fulfilling out unique purpose.
And then, after that backward glance look at today. You are here. Now. Miles ahead and all the wiser for it. You have grown, and though you may have "miles to go before you rest" you have journeyed a long way. Appreciate your growth and step ahead with the knowledge that each step brings you just a little bit closer to the destination.
Joining The Gypsy Mama again today for another "Five Minute Friday." Five Minute Friday is where we write for 5 minutes only on a given subject. It's so much fun--give it a try! The prompt for this week is "home." Here goes:
Start.
I step over the plastic shovel and cracked pail and pause to admire the front flower beds in full bloom. Little hands and big hands digging and planting together to create this beauty.
I climb the old crumbly cement porch steps littered with errant soda bottles that didn't quite make their way into the over-flowing recycling bin.
I turn the chipped gold knob of our old weathered kitchen door in desperate need of paint. Fifty-plus years of comings and goings evidenced by bits of turquoise peeking through bubbled and splintered layers of beige.
The door hinges squeak as I make my way through, greeted by a flurry of little hands and bodies dashing toward me, "Mommy's home!!"
Plaintive daughter cry of "mommy, mommy, mommy" both a request I pick her up and a scolding for leaving in the first place.
I scoop her up in my arms and feel the tension leave her little body as fragrant fruity breathe steadies, little chest rising and falling against mine.
Husband smiles a smile full of warmth and relief at my return:
I'm participating in another Five Minute Friday this week with The Gypsy Mama! Five Minute Friday is where we write for 5 minutes flat on a given subject, no editing no fretting. Just enjoying the process. It's so much fun-give it a try! This week the prompt is: backwards.
Start:
When I was a little girl, my absolute favorite ride at the local amusement park was a wooden roller coaster called the Thunderbird. And the best part of this little old coaster: it went backwards. There was just something so incredibly thrilling about not being able to see what lie ahead--not seeing the big drops as they approached, the twists, the turns and bumps in the road that jostle, catch you off guard and leave you feeling off-kilter. But to just enjoy the drops as as they came was so freeing, so...fun!
Oh, as an adult to be able to enjoy riding backwards! To delight in the unknown path ahead, trusting it'll be a fun ride, a thrill, nothing to fear. There's something beneficial to being able to ride backwards, to not look ahead but instead just enjoy the moments as they come. To not get bogged down by planning and fear and mistrust. But just riding, whizzing through life with your eyes closed tightly in joy and hands waving carefree in the air.
Participating today with Lisa-Jo for another fabulous Five Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is where we write on a given topic for 5 minutes only. It's so freeing, so fun! I love how I never know what might come out, and how each post linked up is so different. Give it a try!
The prompt for today is "Every Day." Here goes!
Start:
Every day something small can happen and something colossal can happen. New lives begin and lives end. Breakthroughs occur, breakdowns occur and breakfasts, too.
Every day we make plans of what might happen, giving ourselves the illusion of control and organization, but we never really know what will happen, because only God knows that.
Every day we cry and we laugh and we worry and we hope and we pray and we try our best to do what we think is right, believing in ourselves as best we know how.
Every day we learn something new—a fact, a discovery, acquired wisdom, new insight. Every day is a chance to grow a bit more—to love more, to be more patient, more giving, more kind.
Every day we are forgiven of our failings through His endless mercy and grace and are given another chance to fulfill our unique purpose here. Each day preordained, precious hairs counted.
Every day we are being stretched and broken and repaired, wounded hearts healing and fresh hearts being broken.
Every day we are loved, loved perfectly as we are.
Linking up with The Gypsy Mama today for another fabulous 5 Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is where we write on a given prompt for 5 minutes flat. It's always fascinating to see what comes rushing in. Give it a try!
This week the prompt is: "On Forgetting." Here we go:
Start.
Richard, tall and proud at age 84. Eyes twinkling with a hint of a smile at their corners--entire life lived, memories slipping away day by day. "The Man with the Silver Tongue" they called him since he was gifted with knowing just what to say and exactly how to say it. He soaked up every ounce of life, loved his wife, raised up five fine children: 4 girls, 1 boy. A successful man with wit and humor, forgetting all the good times and bad, the laughter, the tears and everything in between.
Alzheimer's: the silent robber that creeps in day by day erasing our loved ones and leaves only traces of who they once were.
Cherish the sweet memories you have, for in forgetting, others are left to take up the responsibility of remembering, of becoming the memory keepers, guardians of days long ago, echo of voices past.
Stop.
This was written in honor of my husband's grandfather who I had the privilege of knowing for a brief time before he passed away. When I met him his Alzheimer's had already advanced to a stage where he had trouble articulating what it was he wanted to say, but his charming face and twinkling eyes still shone brightly. Sadly I never knew him prior to the disease's onset, but his family members (memory-keepers) have wonderful stories about him, and I can picture in my mind's eye how he once had been--tall, handsome, charming, funny, witty.
When I first read this prompt it immediately called to mind one of my favorite songs, "Bookends" by Simon and Garfunkel. I knew I wanted to write about how important it is to preserve our cherished memories for future generations to pass on. On how remembering is good medicine, and holds everything we value in life--our friendships, our passions, our loves. It's very fitting as we remember loved ones gone before us in our nation's history this holiday weekend. Have a wonderful holiday everyone!
I'll leave you with this hauntingly beautiful song:
Linking up with The Gypsy Mama again today for another Five Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is an opportunity to write on a given topic for 5 minutes flat. No editing, no worries. It's so much fun! Give it a try!
The topic for today is "Motherhood Should Come With..." Here goes!
Start.
...an instruction manual, a super hero cape and a role model--someone there to cheer you on and look up to when you have questions with no apparent answers.
Motherhood should come with a prayer to utter for grace, mercy and love. And a foreshadowing of the ways in which you'll stretch, grow, stumble and fall; fall on your knees with exhaustion and frustration and fall on them again before Him in thanksgiving for the life lessons, gifts and boundless love that motherhood brings.
Motherhood should come with friends. Friends who stumble and fall right there along with you. And friends who fall before Him, too, with gratitude in their hearts. Friends to share motherhood's seasons with, and friends who help the stretching and the growing to take place.
Motherhood should come with faith, because no mother should have to go through life's joys and trials without it.
Motherhood should come with a heart full of trust, a song of hope and a dream for the future.
End.
Just beginning my journey of motherhood in 2005 when my first son Luke was born.
Wishing all of you moms out there a fabulous Mother's Day this weekend!
Another Friday, another Five Minute Friday with The Gypsy Mama! Five Minute Friday is where we write on a given topic for five minutes only, no editing, no worrying whether its "just right." It's so much fun. Feel free to join in! This week's topic is, "On distance." Here goes:
Go.
Distance is a funny thing. In and of itself it's neutral but when applied to our lives can be such a good or bad thing.
Distance can create loneliness. Or can create space, can open up places where we are able to grow. Or create vacuous holes, gaping wounds that need filling.
Finding the right balance of “proper distance” is different for everyone.
Sometimes we dream of distance—of far off shores and mountain tops all green and lush. We wonder what it might be like to bridge the gap. To shorten the distance to reach exotic lands.
Or sometimes we just dream of space—a healthy distance that allows us a bit of peace and quiet. “Good fences make good neighbors” as Robert Frost says.
And what of the distance in our hearts? Do we keep ourselves at a distance-shielding ourselves with heart armor? Or do we let things in—connective bridges of love, laughter and God, across moat of mistrust and fear?
Determining your distance requires time and effort and knowing.
Stop.
That was really interesting to ponder. I felt like I went in a gazillion different directions with that! I loved exploring how distance can mean so many things. And as always, those 5 minutes fly!
It's Friday again and that means another "Five Minute Friday" with The Gypsy Mama! Five Minute Friday is where we write on a given topic for 5 minutes only, no editing, no worrying if it's "just right." It's so much fun--I invite you to try it! This week the topic is, "If You Met Me." Here goes:
Start:
If you met me I would try to get to know you. Because that's what I do best--know people. Really know them. Not just their likes or dislikes, interests and hobbies--but their souls. Because I love making real connections with people.
If you met me I would hope you found me interesting and engaging. I tend to ask lots of questions. Partly because I hate silences but mostly because I'm genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say. I love learning from others.
If you met me I would probably seem somewhat friendly and “normal” at first glance. I've gotten pretty good at making small talk over the years. But to really know me-that would take time. I protect my hurt, my pain, my deepest insecurities...and letting you into that world takes many moons. It requires that dance of sharing--trading bits and pieces of our hearts, our hurts, our wisdom and life lessons. Stepping in time to that beautiful waltz of human connection.
If you met me, I'd hope we'd get the chance to “dance” together someday.
Joining up with The Gypsy Mama for another Five Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is where we write on a given topic for five minutes only without editing--just for the joy of the creative experience. It's so much fun! I encourage you to give it a try! The prompt for this week is "A Few of My Favorite Things." Here goes:
Start.
My Favorite Things
Snuggles and cooking and bible's creased binding. Date nights and journals to read for reminding. Five-year old's drawing, and smile that it brings. These are a few of my favorite things.
When the kids fight, When there's no sleep, When I'm feeling cold, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so...old!
Stop.
So there's my homage to Julie Andrews and to one of my all-time favorite cheesy show tunes to belt out when the spirit moves me! Sorry, just couldn't resist. The song immediately popped into my head when I read the prompt so I ran with it! I would've kept going but that was all that came to me in 5 minutes. Apparently I'm not much of a lyricist lol! It's hard to come up with rhymes and meter when dealing with time constraints! (Who knew?!) Well, anyway, there it is. It was fun, and now that song is gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of day! :)
Joining The Gypsy Mama today for another Five Minute Friday. Five Minute Friday is where we write whatever comes to us for five minutes only on a given topic, no edits. We "set our words free." It's so much fun-feel free to join in! The topic this week is "Waking Up." Here we go:
Start.
Waking up from spiritual slumber. Coming alive with a greater joy than I've ever before experienced. Rubbing my groggy eyes awake. Awakened to see the light of God--light brighter than the sun. Shaking off the restless night of spiritual apathy, hedonism that gives only transient comfort. Temporary. Temporal. Fleeting. Left empty. Left wanting.
Waking up to the light of a new day, a new life with Christ. Waking up to a life that's real--a life of service, sacrifice, thanksgiving and grace. Being made clean, nightmare of zombie-like sleepwalking transformed.
I'm participating in another Five Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama this week. We write for 5 minutes with no editing on a specific topic. The prompt for today is "On waiting." Feel free to join in the fun!
Here goes:
Start.
I struggle with waiting. Always wanting the answers right now, waiting makes me anxious. Waiting forces me to turn my face toward God. Waiting is good discipline, although I often fail to see it for the gift that it is. Too often, I overlook the beautiful package and the shiny bow sent from above--too consumed with wonder at what's inside. But God's gifts are always worth waiting for, and with each passing year I get just a little bit better at understanding that. And so wait, I must. Wait to see what will happen at the story's end. What to see what our next house will be. Wait to find out how these three precious souls entrusted to me will turn out, the paths they choose, the roads they will walk. Wait to see how the Lord will use me some day, when this journey of motherhood draws to a close. Wait to see what good gifts are in store. And so I wait, praying and trusting in His good gifts.
Stop.
It's always fascinating to me to see what pours out in those 5 minutes!
I'm linking up at The Gypsy Mama again today for another "Five Minute Friday." The rules are that you write for only 5 minutes, no editing. It's so much fun--feel free to join in! The prompt for this week is: "I Feel the Most Loved When..." Here goes...
Start:
I feel the most loved when my little baby girl reaches out for me like I'm the only thing in the whole wide world that matters. When I feel her chubby warm cheek against my chest, breath lightly rising and falling, perfectly tender mother-daughter moment. I feel the most loved when sweet Kevin shovels the cold wet snow so I don't have to. When he lets me sleep in, so tired from infant-induced nights awake. I rise to the smell the breakfast cooking for the boys--the smell of comfort and love. I feel the most loved when he places his cool hand on my feverish brow. I feel the most loved through the caring eyes of dear friends who look on with understanding, souls singing in perfect harmony. I feel the most loved when sisters reminisce about good times and bad, laughing and crying our way through shared history.
Since I enjoyed participating in Five Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama so much last week, I thought I'd give it another go this week. The prompt for today is "When I look in the Mirror I See...". Hmmm, this one should be interesting. Feel free to join in the fun!
Ok, here goes...
Start: When I look in the mirror I see a wife, a mother, a child of God, a unique person with talents and treasure--the only one in the world just like me. And with each passing day I see a clearer vision of myself. I try to see me as God sees me. As the signs of aging increase, so also does my wisdom, my experience, my insight. I've earned each line and grey hair. I see a body that has swollen and shrunken--bringing life times three into the world. I see a body marked with the evidence of that miracle. I've paid the price of self-knowledge with laughter and tears, with moments of joy and with seasons of sorrow. I look in the mirror and see strength despite insecurities. I see a survivor. Someone who's walked through a tunnel of pain and come out on the other side whole and complete...better, kinder. More compassionate. I see someone who wakes each morning to a perfect day, new and full of possibility. Someone who looks at each rising of the sun as an opportunity to grow closer to God, eager to learn the life lessons that come my way.
Stop.
Wow, 5 minutes go by awfully fast. I feel like I definitely could've kept going! That was really fun.
