Sitting in a screen-enclosed gazebo on this early Saturday morning, Searching stillness. A Carolina wren sings to my left. An echo reply song to my right. Again. Back and forth they sing and respond, As God and us in prayer. At one point, their songs overlapped: The union of hearts, of song, of prayer, WhenContinue reading “Prayer Song”
Category Archives: life
Scrapbook Lessons
This week, as our country celebrates its birth, I’m digitally transcribing what I have written in scrapbooks, recorded over 50 years ago the “old fashioned way”: parts of the story of my life, from birth through college years. Remembering people in events and pictures, forming who I have become. We remember our country through stories,Continue reading “Scrapbook Lessons”
Trees Bridging Seasons
Bare branches are a lovely sight (to some!) in cold dreary months: Their exposure allows us to see a tree’s foundational skeleton. Winter can be a time to focus inwardly: What are we truly made of? Look at our naked complexity! As baby green leaves emerge in early spring months, we see two seasons inContinue reading “Trees Bridging Seasons”
Tangled
The bush grows green at the tips of branches, While twisted vines lurk below. How do we see others? From what’s on top or Do we see the tangles that may snake underneath? I dare say: Some days gnarly notions arise, Surprising even me – how could I have such thoughts?! How do I stopContinue reading “Tangled”
Humble Roots
Spring brings bright colors to neighborhood yards! Daffodils appear to reflect the sun’s yellow cheer in clusters. I passed by a lone daffodil, which had pushed through unraked brown crispy autumn leaves. It had bloomed, but its head bent downward moreso than other flowers, as if it longed to crawl back through those leaves intoContinue reading “Humble Roots”
Tasteless Faith
My favorite local restaurant meal lately is a Caesar salad, topped with a bourbon sauce grilled salmon filet. Since the pandemic, I have sometimes ordered this delicious meal as a “carry out,” to enjoy at home. It never disappoints! After 3 years of avoiding Covid, I finally got hit with it! Feeling better after 6Continue reading “Tasteless Faith”
Leaf’s Heart
waiting for a gentle hand
Thirsty!
As I was in music rehearsal this morning before the 11:00 Mass, I observed a very sweet moment between a father and child. The 9:00 Mass was ongoing, and as often happens, a parent came out of the sanctuary with their restless child. I stood outside the parish library down the hall, with tambourine inContinue reading “Thirsty!”
FamilyTree
Yesterday morning, as I read the daily Scripture passages, memories of baking Christmas cookies with my mother came to mind. The genealogy of Jesus is recounted at the beginning of the Gospel according to Matthew: “Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah…theContinue reading “FamilyTree”
Heartbeat of God
I still myself enough, My cheek against the ancient tree, cut in half by lightning, then trimmed by machine’s saw. I hear the roots cry up to the large wide stump: “Listen!” Lo and behold: I feel the heartbeat of God. “I will keep growing.” Smaller branches sprout from the sides, Tiny heartbeats with newContinue reading “Heartbeat of God”
Pondering Christ 