MOTHER

Across the sky a few thoughts ago appeared a beautiful rainbow. Today, I found the memorable image of the rainbow amid my thoughts of you and everything you mean to me.

You see, time and circumstances have brought about a transition in our roles. You have stepped across the threshold into a new beginning as you wait for your creator to take you home.

So long ago, or was it only yesterday, you took my hand and led me through life with words of wisdom, grace, and much more. I always knew best, didn’t I? You never said, “I told you how things would be,” when I became tangled up in life’s downside.

Today, I take your hand as it rests softly inside mine. You trust that I will keep you safe, and everyday I pray that God will allow me to know how to keep this promise to you, as I diligently seek to honor you.

You are a gentle soul and will surely reap your just rewards. I know all too well that this will be soon, but until that time comes, I will remember you as I remember the beautiful colors of God’s rainbow. You are the rainbow in my life.

The Cylindrical Cycle

I stand outside and watch as the wind moves across my yard blowing leaves into a frenzy of swirls. Suddenly, they fall into a heap of shapes that mean nothing more to me than raking.
The house on the corner isn’t deserted but looks that way; it might as well be for the care it receives. The leaves and grass have taken over on the outside while visions of what drugs offer reign freely on the inside.
The aroma of marijuana often finds its way into my nostrils.
I wonder about reality and what drives anyone to elude life for a trip into a world of fantasy by wrapping their minds around a white cylindrical piece of paper. We can glide into fantasy without such things...give rise to the wonders of our mind.
I realize they are young...some in their early 20’s. They come and go all through the day and night. The windows are kept blocked to the outside world, yet the outside world can mentally see in.
I often think of the family that lived there not so long ago; loving care always given to their family, home,yard, and all things that we deem proper.
Working for a number of years as a nurse in a drug rehab facility, I heard many stories of childhood abuse, and some were despicable. But there were many cases where drug use was not the result of being from abusive homes. How things can change from year to year and from life to death.

What If

I sat and watched a rather plump lady taking her dogs for a walk along the edge of the beach yesterday. Both dogs were eager to explore. One dog in particular, a wiener dog, wanted to dive right in the water...and stay. The other dog, a more classy lady, wanted nothing to do with getting near the water. What if she was afraid? The thought 'What if' came to my mind about our life as it has so many times in the past. Yes, our lives vary in many ways. We are a diverse people of race, creed, and color. We have fears, likes, and dislikes and may not wish to participate in some things; however, we are often dragged into the water, too, in a manner of speaking, by our upbringing, conscience, inhibitions, and judgement to name a few. Are we all in a 'what if' situation? What if you didn't want to wear a suit and tie to work? What if you didn't want to treat the neighbor next door with kindness?.. after all, maybe he has cursed at you more than once. There are many thoughts about life as a whole; I watched the lady pulling her reluctant pup into the water...by this time the pup was pulling back with all of her might...tongue hanging out from the scuffle along with the tightening up of the leash... Why was this necessary? Life is oft times crazy... some things aren't necessary...are they? What if we didn't do some of those things we really didn't want to do....Just WHAT IF!!