Monday, April 24, 2006

BotD - March Winds Bring April Showers

The sky is weeping with my mom. Her best friend Shirley is gone, slipped into a fretful sleep and then quietly drifted away yesterday morning. I sorrow for her, and watch her with concern. She's 83 and Shirley was 69. Now who will mom trip around the world with? I guess it's my turn then.

In contrast, my garden is glorious with spring rains and flower seeds I threw out in January. A riot of color, even the roses are chiming in and the Aloe Vera survived the winter. Death and life, a circle. The wake was yesterday, I supplied the angel food cake and quietly left while family and closer friends sorted through stacks of photographs. May she wake in a better place.

I've now officially started playing Kingdom Hearts II, that is when Jennifer will get off my lap and give me the joystick, Jessica will let me play for ten minutes without reminding me it's her turn, and the rest sit next to me and grimace whenever I make a less-than-perfect move. Life is good. I've decided to breathe just as long as I can before I stop.

BotD -- April 24, 2006

No, no, no. It can't be April already!

Okay, fine, it's April, or actually nearly May. My retina is still attached and I'm doing everything I was doing before, just slower.

I crashed and burned trying to write a poem a day. Emily Dickinson I am not. So I'll have to gently review my personal goals and revise revise revise.

I'm working on a short story for a class I had to drop because, well, I couldn't read. Since it was a literature class reading is not optional. But I still like the idea and am trying to get motivated to write. Today though I'm writing a eulogy.

My Mom's Best Friend, Shirley

Gleaming eyes
a smile that softens as it bears down
brows wrinkle in concentration
and then relax
in comprehension

Traveler extraordinaire
no shoes can match your stride
the winged sandals of the messenger
fits you best

You will dance on clouds of light
skip along the golden highway
and plan trip after trip
in the realms of glory

And when I join you
we'll see everything
again.

October in Vermont 2007

October in Vermont 2007