Lovely friends

It is a gift to be here with you this morning. We have had quite the snow storm here in our NJ farmland. I’m grateful for the cozy fire next to me and the warmth of our quirky little farmhouse on such a blustery cold day. I am grateful to be grateful for the respite from our labors. I am so tempted to be frustrated that we cannot make any progress right now. We have miles to go before we sleep. But our 65+ year old bodies are aching all over and I’m learning once again to let go and let God….this is a constant lesson in my life as I recognize and repent of my control-freak ways!
“We have our plans and God laughs” is one of my favorite sayings.😊 It has been true all my life and I am learning to laugh too!

Dearest Ursula….grateful for the gift of our friendship across the miles which now endures among the stars.
~Have a blessed day my dear friends ♥

I would like to believe that I am aware and grateful for the blessings of each day….but I find myself taking simple pleasures for granted. Heat and hot water for bathing, fresh water to drink from the tap, electricity, a refrigerator and pantry that contains food, a flushing toilet…..these are things that far too many people don’t have.
Another evidence of this in my life, that has been shown to me recently, is that I am desirous of attention, applause, approval, and expressed (gushing?) gratitude from others. I have begun to question my motives when I am giving, serving or opening my heart and home to others. This awareness was painful for me to face…I can see clearly that I was feeling “entitled” to admiration for my good deeds.
I’m grateful for this awareness of how I may not have overcome the illusion of entitlement.

Still meandering along at my own pace as the Spirit moves.

Serendipity that we have been visited by so many butterflies lately. Vibrant red and yellow echinacea, bell shaped soft lavender hosta blossoms. They can’t resist.

I wrote in my journal that although I have been to the Grand Canyon, it is the birth of my daughters that springs to mind as my “peak experience”. They surprised me, these miraculous creatures.

Waiting, empty, longing
Afraid to hope.
And then…Surprise!

Late to the party….life has slowed down and opened up space for me to continue on this haiku journey. I am grateful for this gift.

Trees-Givers of life
Xylem Phloem
Pure water
flowing from my roots
miracle food
from my leaves

Trees speak to me without words….they are mystical creatures in my eyes…my “spirit animals”. They are miracles of nature and have a unique role in this web of life. They remind me that all living things are inter-connected and all belong.

I was not able to participate daily and have saved all of the practices…to do on the slower, quieter days. when they come to me. Today is day 2 for me….and it is Good Friday in the Christian tradition. I was raised Catholic and although I don’t practice Catholicism per se any longer, some of the traditions and rituals remain beautiful and meaningful to me. So today my mind and spirit is filled up with the life and death of Jesus.

.Spring
Right before my eyes
Death becomes life
Once again

here I am-
somewhere between ocean and moon
somewhere between lost and found

I am drawn to this haiku because to me it speaks of being fully present, yet paradoxically “somewhere between”. I am on a journey towards embracing paradox in my life and in the world.
I am drawn to this haiku because during this Lenten season I have been reading and reflecting on Henri Nouwen’s book about the biblical parable of the return of the prodigal son. I have felt many times in my life that I am the prodigal daughter…ever leaving and returning to the awareness of divine Love.

This haiku brings grateful tears of recognition and acceptance to my eyes.