HE REALIZED HE WAS WRONG

He thought he could not love her any more than he did that day

but then the next day came along

and when his eyes met hers that morning

he realized 

he was wrong…

WHY DO GRANDPARENTS VISIT?

Why do grandchildren love visits from their grandparents?

It’s not just the cookies or the presents they might bring.

It’s how the love they share brings comfort to their souls

and allows their hearts to sing…

And why do grandparents love visiting their grandchildren?

Because their souls, too, are comforted…

their love songs, too, are sung…

and because

even though they may feel older…

their grandchildren keep them young. 

THE ART OF TREE CLIMBING

It’s passed down from generation to generation

and though it might seem simple to you and me

their is a knowledge

a method

a spiritualness

an artistry to climbing a tree.

When you find a tree you’d like to climb…you must pause…

as part of the tradition

pause to give thanks for this tree and to quietly ask permission.

For though you are happy to have found a tree that, for climbing, now befits you

you must wait for an answer from the tree…

it is the tree who must permit you.

If there is a nest in the top or it’s branches are to weak 

the tree will tell you now is bad timing

and ask you to come back when the nest is unoccupied

or its branches are more suitable for climbing.

But when you find a tree that is willing

when a tree lets you know it is time

you ascend to the top without effort

as the branches seem to assist in your climb.

And it’s just as important when you’ve finished

when the tree gently sets you back down

to again thank the tree for it’s generosity

the minute your feet hit the ground.

Yes, it seems when it comes to climbing a tree

what’s important is the spiritualness you exude…

It has less to do with your ability to climb

and more with your kindness and your gratitude…

It’s been passed down from generation to generation

and in each generation there comes a time…

when they realize the same magic that works for climbing a tree…

works for whatever in life they might climb.

WHAT I HAVE GAINED

One look at this photo…I see I’m missing some hair

and if I’m not mistaken my eyelids have slid

although it’s really quite difficult for me to know

because I don’t see as clearly as at one time I did.

My hearing is going, which I don’t understand

and I ask this with as much confusion as vigor…

How am I able to hear less now that I’m older

when my ears have gotten bigger and bigger?

And don’t get me started about my memory

for hardly does there come a day…

When…wait!…there…it happened again

I forgot what I was going to say…

But when I put the photo down and walk through my house

my misery quickly comes to and end

For wherever I look I see reminders and remnants

of a life filled with family and friends…

Reminding me as I get older

Something I long ago ascertained…

Not to concentrate on the things that I’ve lost

but instead…

on the things that I’ve gained.

OLD MAN AND HIS VIOLIN

I’ve often heard him playing his violin…his music has a way

of finding its way into my heart…be it night or be it day.

He plays outside while looking up…always in the same place

underneath the power lines with a smile on his face.

He has no music in front of him…it seems to flow from somewhere within

but there he sits day in…night out…this old man and his violin…

I asked him once how he does it…how does he find a way

to play a different song each evening…a new song every day.

He pointed up to the power lines…then played some of the most beautiful music I’d ever heard…

“It’s really very simple.” he said…”Each day I play the birds.”

The power lines are my musical staff…when the birds land there each day

I don’t have to think about it…all I have to do is play.

“But what about at night?” I asked…”You play different music…

different tunes with different bars.”

The old man smiled

“When the birds go to sleep in the evening,” he said…

“that is when I play the stars.”

THE GIFT IS IN THE GIVING

As the season of giving approaches…as we hope for Christmas snow

I’m reminded of a Christmas gift …given to my ex-wife years ago.

We were teaching in the same school…when she unwrapped one of her student’s mother’s bras

and as she held it up for all to see…we went from shock…to awe.

We weren’t sure what to think at first…we didn’t have an inkling

as to what this present meant…as to what this mother could be thinking…

But then we paused a moment…and realized our thinking small.

This family was poor and it was wonderful…she gave anything at all.

She didn’t have the money for anything fancy…no cars or boats or furs

So wanted to give a gift that meant a lot…and was personal to her.

A way to show this teacher…she makes a difference every day

so…to show that she supports her…she gave her bra away.

It’s ironic how a simple gift…isn’t as simple as it appears…

How a gift we first thought funny…can change our laughter into tears….

How a gesture can stay with us…to remind us each day we’re living

sometime the gift is unimportant……because the gift is in the giving.

PLANTS VS HUMANS

Plants make food and medicine from light and water and give them both away

still humans think we know it all 

that we’re superior in every way…

But when I see how often humans take from the land while giving nothing in return…

it makes me wonder

plants or humans….

which one of us has more to learn?