Young Lovers

The night was dark.  Two young lovers ventured into the orchard slipping through the densest shadows to avoid being seen.  They greeted with quiet embrace, sharing their warmth in the cool air.

An owl hooted.

They looked around searching for any sign of prying eyes from nervous parents.  Nothing was to be seen and they turned back to each other.  They sank to the ground oblivious to the stirring in the dark.

Without a sound it approached the young lovers until a light was switched on and a voice called out.

“What are you kids doing trespassing in my orchard?”

Newborn

The tiny being nestled snug in his mother’s arms, warm and content with a full stomach.  She gazed down at his soft, round face with a look of tenderness.  Her eyes radiant with love.

“Such a handsome boy.”  She said stroking his hair.

The small bow of lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile and she grinned at the wonder of the life she had brought into the world.  A bundle of milk scented, gurgling, wiggling warmth.

Through her mind ran the thought of future play with cars and blocks.  To be dismissed in this quiet moment of closeness.

Life Event

It has been awhile since I last posted anything.  A lot has happened in the last ten days.  The most important event was the birth of my newest grandchild, a beautiful, healthy baby boy.  He and his mom and dad are doing great and I have been spending half of my time over at their house helping out.

One of the greatest miracles of life is the birth of a baby.  From the quiet, serene interludes to the inner focused effort of each contraction to the jubilant greeting of mother to child as he is laid in her arms moments after his entrance into the world to the soft, tender look of a new father as he holds both wife and son creating a circle of warmth and love more powerful than anything on earth.

I was privileged and honored to be a part of this joyous event in my daughter’s life and relish each moment I get to spend hanging out with them watching my favorite show, baby TV. 

Stay tuned for more stories as I find time to pen them and post them.  :)

Struggle

Above towers the might of the mountain, rising ever upwards.  Its peak is hidden from view by clouds blanketing the sky in a uniform greyness.

Below, visible through the trees clinging to the slope is a valley of lush grass and a sparkling stream of water.

For what reason does the climber seek the unknown, struggling against the strenuous rocky rise?

Is it Glory and the adulation of others?  Or some inner fire that drives them?

What disgrace is there in saying enough and seeking a serene life beside a babbling brook with no conflict, no strife, and no accomplishment?

Creative Inspiration

Fingertips rested lightly on the keyboard.  Eyes closed, she waited for inspiration to sweep her away into the creative vistas of her mind. 

Slow inhalation, count to three, slow exhalation, count to three.

In quiet solitude she sat unmoving, embracing the stillness, waiting.  Nothing.

The minute hand ticked forward as the shadows on the window shade moved from one side to other with the turn of the earth.

A sigh, tomorrow will be better.  Wait, a thought, a glimmer of an idea.  The keyboard clicked as words started to flow filling the page with the beginning of a new adventure.    

The Therapeutic Benefits of Vacuuming

I sat down this morning to write a story to post and realized I might not have it in me.  The past week or so has been tough.  Our Akita, Bruno, ruptured his cruciate ligament in his left knee requiring surgery to repair, my son’s day care provider lost her husband this last weekend, temporarily closing the day care, meaning I will be taking care of my granddaughter a couple of days a week for the time being and my husband’s grandmother was diagnosed with leukemia.  All this on top of helping my mom as she struggles with chemo, and it side effects, for lung cancer and a cold, I am feeling a bit rung out.  It is said one way to handle extra stress is to focus on the positive things, get plenty of rest and exercise, but that can be hard to do when it feels like everything including the kitchen sink is being thrown at you.

After dropping Bruno off at the vet for his surgery I came home to our retriever, Bella and a quiet house, drank my second cup of coffee and decided what I really needed to do was clean the house.  It may sound a bit strange but I have found over the years that the simple act of straightening up, dusting and vacuuming can have a positive effect on my mood.  It’s the just do something approach to dealing with stress.  Doesn’t matter what just some simple household task that can be completed in a small amount of time. 

So I pulled the sheets off the bed, stuffed them in the washer and fired up the vacuum cleaner.  I lost myself in the steady humming noise of the vacuum cleaner motor as I pushed it back and forth across the carpet.  Soon the floor was clean of all the bits and pieces left behind by two large dogs, remnants of toys, chew bones and fur. 

I felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment and realized, yep, I can handle whatever comes my way by focusing on the positive, a clean floor, getting plenty of rest, a mental break from the thoughts swirling through my head as I zone out to the sound of the vacuum cleaner, and getting some exercise by pushing and pulling the vacuum as I walk around the living room.  Time to go play fetch with Bella and maybe get some writing done.