The world slows down to welcome evening –
sunlight no longer makes it all the way to the ground,
but, rather suffuses tree tops in their leafy luster.
Air sheds its harsh heat in layers and becomes cooler by degree,
while the song of wood thrush fills the air with melody
that makes my heart happy. My second favorite time of day.
Sweet sweet summertime,
I already feel you slipping away…
darkness arrives earlier – it’s no longer light at 9:30
my time is being sapped like a maple at sugaring time
my tension is rising like a thermometer on a summer day
So, until next year –
keep yourself safe from those who despise you
protect your verdant aliveness
hold me in your sultry summer embrace
I’ll be waiting for you with the anticipation of a lascivious lover.
Teaching is like quicksand –
However adamantly I try to stand my ground –
to protect my time
to protect my heart
to stay caught up
I put one toe in and I’m instantly pulled under –
too many meetings
too many demands
too many kids to worry about
And, absolutely never ever enough…
Before I know it, I’m in way over my head…
How is it that I was blessed with such a joyful spirit?
A sparkling, shiny, sunny, spirit –
Why me?
I continue to be amazed by the ordinary, the everyday,
seeing the world with the eyes and spirit of a child – with amazement.
Many others seem to be so morose and melancholy –
Always expecting the worst.
I do get sad – don’t get me wrong, but it’s hard to keep me down,
and soon my spirit soars once again.
I never resolved to be so upbeat, but luckily
my Mom passed this joyful spirit to me –
the best trait she gave me –
the capacity to stay optimistic – to see the silver lining,
to look on the bright side, to see the sweet in the bitter.
My life has been filled with anguish and heartache that
could have destroyed me, but I am resilient
and have always found my way back to my
joyful spirit. I am fortunate.
I am blessed with a joyful spirit.
Why do I have to have a label?
Democrat or Republican?
Blue or Red?
Why can’t I just believe in –
being kind
providing justice for all
giving everyone a chance
ending all war – what did fighting ever fix – some get rich while others die
moving forward when it makes sense
being kind
empathizing with one another
changing when necessary
revising when beneficial
being kind
helping others when you can
recognizing the talents of women
And, never ever thinking you’re better than someone else.
Nothing positive comes of thinking you’re superior to another –
that’s where most troubles begin.
Why oh why do I have to be labeled?
Blue moon – the sound evokes such mystery and magic.
We’ve all heard the saying, once in a blue moon.
But, what does it mean?
It’s really so simple – and has nothing to do with the moon’s color –
two full moons in the same month –
a contrast between calendar months and lunar months –
occurring every 2.7 years –
with energy 12 times more powerful than a regular full moon –
Friday July 31’s blue moon – occurs at exactly 6:43 am – let the power and blue moon magic happen within you…
As summer ends I always have mixed feelings.
I feel happy – I get to see kids again, yet I feel anxious, am I up to the challenges of working with a new group of students? How long will it take me to learn all those new names?
I feel sad – my time will no longer be my own – I’ve gotten used to reading, writing, and going about my business on my own schedule.
I feel happy – I’ll get to see my work family again – we’ll laugh and cry together – we’ll nurture a new group of kids and help prepare them for high school.
I feel sad – I’ll be exhausted each and everyday – no time and no energy to do many of the things I want to do.
I feel happy – my life will have structure – I’m not real structured on my own…
A bit of bitter and a big splash of sweet – and summer comes to its inevitable conclusion – dragging me with it.
In my young days I loved –
playing with cars and trucks – making roads in dirt
running – matter of fact I ran faster than everyone else (yes, boys too)
playing Red Rover – I could always break through clasped arms
swinging – all the way to the sky
climbing on monkey bars – to hang from my knees
climbing trees – the closer to the sky the better
dipping in ice cold springs to cool off on a sweltering summer day
swinging over the creek – I’ll never forget my Dad shimmying up the tree to attach it (cigar hanging out of his mouth)
exploring the creek all the way to the waterfall (it seemed so far away)
hiding in the corn crib to read books – I could be anything, anyone, anywhere
playing in the gully – we pretended it was our home
riding my bike – wind fanning my hair out behind me as I rode down the humungous hill by my house (Mom reminded me that if only one car came by all day, and it hit me I’d still be dead) Thanks Mom.
playing basketball (half court of course)
running track (long jump and short dashes were my favorite)
Yet, I also loved –
playing with Barbie dolls
playing dress up with my Grandma’s clothes and hats
“fixing” my Grandma’s hair (she once let me cut it )
cutting out paper dolls and clothes for them from a Sears catalog
dressing up and smelling sumptuous – never prissy… still not.
I refuse to conform – so, denim or lace? How about both?
I suppose I’m a bit of an enigma. I refuse to be defined by labels.
I am purely me.
I wasn’t blessed with sisters by birth – but, by rather rewarded with an abundance of sisters by love, by choice, and by heart. You all know who you are – some of you I grew up with, and others I met along the way. While we don’t always agree on everything – we don’t have to; that’s what keeps life interesting; we do respect one another and we do agree on the importance of having strong women around us in our lives – on surrounding ourselves with other women who support and love us for who and what we are. Sisters with whom we share the laughter and tears of life. Sisters steadfast and strong – none of us perfect, but fighting the daily struggles without complaint and moving the only direction we can – forward. We are not obligated to one another, but rather inextricably bound by some unseen force. So, thank you to each and every one of you for loving me and helping me surpass the me I was yesterday. Thank you for
providing an invisible net of love, support, and acceptance. I’m afraid to name names – I don’t want to unintentionally leave someone out, so, as I said before – if I’m talking about you – you certainly know it, and I love you.
robinsreflectionsandramblings 