KAYAKING IN THE RAIN

When we planned the family kayak trip we hoped it was preordained

that we would be blessed with beautiful weather…that there would be no chance of rain.

As the day approached our excitement became a little more restrained

when we heard the weatherman report…there was a chance of rain.

But off we paddled anyway…deciding not to give in to our fear…

and the weather…it was beautiful…the river…cool and clear.

Halfway through our kayak trip, however, it did begin to rain

but something happened on that river…let me take a moment to explain.

The rain dropped softly from the sky…and onto us as well…

quietly and gently…in single drops it fell.

There was no thunder…no lightning with it…nothing to cause in us disdain…

Just a simple….serene…and mesmerizing…tender fall of rain.

All got quiet on the river…as mother’s, fathers, sons and daughters

were captivated by the sight and sounds of raindrops diving in the water.

I watched a young girl smile…as the rain fell softly on her head…

“I never thought that raindrops could be this beautiful!” she said.

Nature pleasantly surprised us today…on our little river jaunt…

by giving us a gift of something…we thought we did not want….

So next time we plan a kayak trip…you will not hear me complain

if, as the day of the trip approaches,…there is a chance that it will rain.

FLYING DOLPHINS

The pier was crowded with people…the water shimmered like glass

When a family of dolphins caught everyone’s eyes as they came swimming by en masse.

We watched one dolphin jump…I’ve never seen one jump so high…

when a little boy sitting next to us said, “Look, Mommy…did you see that dolphin fly?”

“Did you see him, Mommy? Did you see him jump? Dod ups see him touch the sky?”

“I knew dolphins could swim.” He yelled….”But I never dreamed that they could fly!”

His mom smiled at his innocence…and a tear fell from her eye.

“How lucky we were to be here, she said…when that dolphin chose to fly.”

“You see it doesn’t happen often…we’re not sure the reason why… 

but not many people ever get the chance…to see a dolphin fly.”

“I wonder if it’s a sign,” his mom said…”perhaps the dolphin is telling you

not to give up hope…that your dream may still come true.”

That some day people will see you jump…they will see you touch the sky…

and another boy will yell out, “Mommy, did you see that little boy fly?”

The boy nodded his head an smiled…a smile that filled the air…

As they turned to walk away together…as Mom pushed his wheel chair.

THE WORLD IN WHICH WE SLUMBER

Sometimes I wonder if our world is doomed to dwell in the slumber of ignorance…

and oftentimes I mourn

because it is in our ignorance of other people 

where prejudice is born.

Sometimes I wonder if our world is doomed to dwell in the slumber of ignorance…

and oftentimes I’m distraught

because it is in some families, some churches, even in our own own government

where prejudice is taught.

Sometimes I wonder if our world is doomed to dwell in the slumber of ignorance…

and oftentimes I’m dejected

because all too often in our world today

prejudice is accepted.

Prejudice is a child of ignorance…if we can reason we know it’s wrong

and it’s only when our reasoning is weak that our prejudices are strong…

So I hope for a world where the words gender, race, ethnicity, immigrants, refugees, sexual orientation, class, age….and disability

will some day be replaced 

with one word…equality…

And I hope one day for a world where love is constantly expanding

where we dwell in the slumber of compassion, in acceptance and understanding.

Sometimes I wonder if this dream will ever come true…

but oftentimes it helps me cope…

for I refuse to slumber in a world of ignorance

when I can slumber in a world of hope…

MORNING MASTERPIECE

The sun rising in a clear blue sky is a magnificent place to be

as we watch that heavenly ball of fire rise slowly out of the sea.

It is a work of art being painted right before your eyes…impossible to ignore…

and every day the painting is a little different than the day before.

But there are those special mornings when the sun throws off her restraints

and invites the clouds to join her in the mixing of the paints.

And when the sun begins to paint and the clouds begin to glow

we realize how lucky we are…so we sit back and enjoy the show.

It’s performance art that changes continuously right before our eyes

a swirling, shifting, colorful kaleidoscope in the sky.

And we watch the painting being created…with as much attention as we can

for we know the painting will be finished as quickly as it began.

And it is…for in an instant as we watch…to our mutual dismay

The sun rises higher in the sky and the colors fade away.

So we stop to thank the sun and the clouds with a touch of happiness and sorrow…

sad today’s painting has disappeared…but looking forward to tomorrow.

LOVE IS...

Some people say there are no simple love stories…

and plainly they have stated…

if it’s simple it must not be love

for love is complicated…

They sight example after example

and believe this with all certainty!

But there are others who look at love 

and beg to disagree.

For them, love is simple..

It’s when they realize they’re no longer alone…

and when someone else’s happiness

is more important than their own…

For they know love is easy

and plainly have they stated

the best love is a simple love

and need not be complicated…

For they have known love in their lives

and by love they have been blessed…

and they know the simplest love stories

are usually the best.

SHE KNOWS JUST WHAT TO SAY

Her dream had just been shattered…she thought her life was through…

she ran to her mother crying…unsure what she should do.

Her mother welcomed her into her arms…she knew what she would say.

She’d say whatever happens in life…do not put your dreams away.

She’d say sometimes dreams are broken…as life thunders along

but your heart is reparable…it is resolute and pure…and strong.

She’d say yes this one dream’s broken…but this I know is true…

You are still a dreamer….and the next dream begins with you….

She’d say though it is very sad…this latest dream is gone

you will soon create another dream and your heart will lead you on…

She’d say I will be here to hold you…when any dream of yours comes true…

and if any dream should fail…I’ll be here to hold you too….

Yes, she was ready with the answers…she knew just what to say…

but that was for another moment…another time…another day…

For in this moment she said nothing…there’s a simple reason why…

a mother knows that sometimes…a daughter needs to cry.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FLOWERS

He asked his young son what he does in the garden…

how can he play out there for hours…

His son smiled and said, “it’s simple, Dad. 

I have questions for the flowers.

“I ask them where their colors come from, 

sometimes I get down on my knees

and I whisper into their petals…

do you dream about the bees.”

“I ask them how they breathe, 

and if they ever have the chance

to laugh or play with one another…

and if they sing…or dance.”

“I ask them if they have a heart,

if they have a soul…a brain.

I ask them which one they like more

the sunshine or the rain.”

“I ask them how they know to bloom in Springtime

and I ask them where they go

where do they vacation 

in the Winter cold and snow?” 

“That’s why I spend so much time with them…

why I can play out there for hours…

because there always seem to be more questions

I want to ask the flowers.

“And do the flowers answer?” Dad asked

“Do they talk back to you?”

The little boy’s eyes widened…then he smiled…

“Oh Dad…of course they do.”

And many times after they talked that day

the little boy didn’t go to the garden alone….

He walked hand in hand with his father…

who had some questions of his own.

A LITTLE BIT BLIND

I wonder what our world would be like if everyone was blind.

I wonder how our world would look…and feel in our minds.

It’s true we could not see the sunrise paint it’s colors across the sky.

We could not see our children’s smiles without the use of eyes.

But wouldn’t it be harder to be prejudiced if our sight was kept within…

If we couldn’t see the differences in the color of our skin?

It’s true we could not see rainbows, or the colors of the rose

or the change of leaves in Autumn…or the pure white winter snows.

But wouldn’t it be harder to go to war…wouldn’t all fighting have to wait

If we could not see the people…the ones we’re supposed to hate?

It’s true we could not see the oceans glimmer, or the gentle summer breeze.

We could not see it move the clouds…or ruffle through the trees.

But there would be no need for guns…to settle our disputes

If we couldn’t see the person over there whom we’re supposed to shoot.

Of course we live in a world where most of us can see…

where prejudice and war and guns…make up our history…

But sometimes I'm inclined to wonder 

if our world wouldn’t be a little more kind

If each and every one of us…

were just a little bit blind.

I HAVE A FRIEND

I was thinking about my friends other day…and got to wondering…

here’s the thing…

I have a friend who loves to dance…and one who loves to sing

I have a friend I’ve known most of my life…and another I’ve recently met…

I have a friend who dislikes animals and another who surrounds herself with pets.

I have a friend who loves ice cream…another who only eats cake

I have a friend who hates the sight of reptiles and another who loves her snakes.

I have a friends who is an artist…another who isn’t but loves to draw

I have a friend who is a doctor and one who practices law….

I have a friend who loves the beach…she loves the weather when it’s hotter

I have a friend who loves the cold and won’t go near the water.

Yes, as I count my diverse friendships…I realize with pride

that I have many people in my life Im honored to stand beside….

So here’s the thing I was wondering…how many of us truly comprehend

how lucky we are to begin even one sentence with the words…

I have a friend…

"NOT WHAT I DO"

He did not talk about his feelings

instead…he hid them all away

and when she pleaded with him to talk to her

“It’s not what I do!” he’d say.

“But that is what lovers do!”

“They talk to one another.” she would say.

Yet, he would never listen…

til one day…

she went away.

Leaving him to ponder

as he sits alone today…

why the ones who are closest to us

should not be kept farthest away.

IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR ARMS

The day I was born I noticed it…

how you sheltered me from harm…

Why, I even fell asleep…

in the comfort of your arms…

For when you put your arms around me and hugged me to her chest.

I felt warm…I felt love…I felt safe, 

I felt secure…and blessed.

Blessed to be with someone whom I already know

will make me feel this way…wherever I may go…

Blessed to know wherever I may go in life…your arms will always reach me

Blessed to know you, Grandma,…have so much you will teach me.

You’ll teach me about love and kindness…compassion…and integrity

You’ll teach me about strength and beauty…and generosity…

For you know the secret of Grandmahood 

(and perhaps to life as well)…

A secret all you Grandmas know but often do not tell…

I’m not sure where you learned it

How it became the Grandma’s creeds…

To always give more than you can give…

and take less than you may need.

But means whenever we’re together

love will fill the air

and every time I climb into my your arms…

I’ll find some comfort there.

OLD FRIENDS AGAIN

After spending a day with old friends…remembering how our lives have intertwined

I smile as this old poem comes blissfully to mind:

They met as strangers…unfamiliar…apprehensive…

that first meeting…tentative but sweet.

Which, when you stop to think about it, is how most people meet.

From this uncertain beginning…a relationship extends

They find they have a lot in common…

and strangers become friends.

Their friendship is strengthened by laughter, by sharing hopes and dreams,

by holding on to one another as they ride through life’s extremes.

But life is unpredictable…as often is the way…

causing friends to bid adieu…to go their separate ways.

They part amid some sadness, yet happy at what they’ve achieved…

for they have given the gift of friendship, 

and friendship they’ve received.

Years slip by until they meet again…this meeting…still tenderhearted

It’s as if there was no loss of time…as if they never parted.

They are experiencing one of life’s wonders…shared happily by old friends…

That friendship has no time limit…that it’s memory never ends.

Yes, old friends understand the secret…new friends will one day learn…

That friendship never says goodbye…

but waits patiently for its return.

NEXT ADVENTURE

After spending two months in the mountains…

sometimes it’s hard to comprehend

how time can move so quickly

when together or with family and friends…

And how no matter what hat we’re wearing…

husband, wife, Dad, Mom, Nana or Poppop

as each day rolls around anew

the adventures never stop…

There is an adventure around every corner

with the dawn of each new day…

and from where we sit in this life we’re living

we wouldn’t have it any other way…

So our two months in the mountains are over

but we’re not sad…in fact you’ll find us grinning….

because as we head back home…

back to Florida..

back to the ocean

back to more family

back to more friends

back to who knows what?

our next adventure’s just beginning.