Rites of Passage

to watch

to learn

to grow

begins 

when we are born

when we grow up

when we age

continues

with each chance 

with each opportunity

with each wave of emotion

“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.”

~ James Taylor

Luminosity

Luminosity shows only in darkness where eyes seek the light where shadows are defined.

Luminosity shines with darkened gloss in pools of ocean deep water where seaweed waves and floats.

Luminosity is the chance

to see beauty and serenity

in a moonless sky.

“Look carefully around you and recognize the luminosity of souls. 

Sit beside those who draw you to that.”

~ Rumi

Life's Little Surprises

1/4 Pound?

There are many surprises in life. The surprise of a sunrise with streaks of red, gold and peach staining the clouds. The surprise of a sudden gust of wind that blows drifts of pink snow from the ornamental cherry trees. The surprise of the gift of tomato and romaine lettuce plants from a neighbour a few floors above. The surprise of scented pink lilies and yellow roses on Mother’s Day. I could continue with all the beautiful surprises but there is not enough room in this short post to share all of the visual, aromatic beauties that surround us. 

And then there is this chance beet. That’s what that ugly lump is. A beet. I had planted beets in my garden last year and thought I had pulled and eaten them all. I had planted the tomatoes at one end of my little garden and was loosening the soil at the other end to plant the romaine. My garden fork hit a hard lump. It appeared to be extremely packed soil that did not want to loosen. I was prepared to throw it away. Then - red beet juice? I brushed soil from a beet that had been growing all winter and spring with no leaves! (unless the deer had kept them trimmed.)

Is there a moral to this story? I’m sure I could find one, but I think I’ll just cook the beet and eat it with a lovely pork chop for tomorrow night’s supper.

“Breathe Properly, Stay Curious, and Always Eat Your Beets!”

~ Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume

A Cool Spring

The morning had passed. The afternoon was just beginning. Sunshine was patchy, the air heavy with moisture and the scent of spring blossoms. I paced slowly through small green spaces. Patches of green between office towers and soaring condos struggled to catch the hesitant sunshine. A few brave buskers sprinkled music into thick cool air, in counterpoint to buses, cars and trucks. There seemed little chance of the warm spring expected each year. My face welcomed each short ray of warm sun that broke through the cool blanket of cloud. Any chance of warmth was welcomed in my heart.

“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.”

~ Marty Rubin, author

Always a Chance

there’s always a chance

that moods like clouds

drift with the winds of change

or the winds in your hair

as you walk and walk and walk

they lift and drift away

into the clear blue sky

leaving only wisps of white on blue.

“Rain clouds and stormy moods take time to blow away, 

but sooner or later the sun always comes out.”

~ Shirley Parenteau, Ship of Dolls

The Chance of Motherhood

Mothers

Almost sacred 

A beautiful bouquet from Jeff and Jason - my sons

And yet human 

flawed and imperfect as the next guy

responsible to carry our children

for a lifetime

while we let go 

teach independence

encourage growth

support our children through  

all life’s chances and changes

until our children become

our supports

encouraging growth

supporting our independence

through life’s chances and changes

while learning about letting go.

“Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life.”

~ Sophocles

Today's Chances

early morning clouds

hovered

over today’s chances

late morning breezes

carried

chances on the wind

afternoon sunshine

warmed

conversation’s chances

Late evening stillness

settled

into chances for quiet reflection.

“There are plenty of chances in life, 

what’s important is what you make of them.”

~ Katja Michael, author