most silently

Good morning.
  
Sigh.


Another deep sigh...


The sun is shining, yes- I see it. 
 The bright-glow moon out last night- will I convey where it found me?
  No...


I hear the guineas
knee deep in cold-white,frozen fluffy powder- still calling, still alive.  The one leader always taking the first treacherous risks/steps so that the others might follow.  Ah, yes- I see that too. 


In time, I get it.


I see where someone plowed our drive as we were a bit unable for awhile.  All the hopeless moments I spent seething, wondering "where is the kindness, where are the friends, the others, the..." just like me, they take a bit to catch on maybe.  And then- there they were...helping; silently sweetly anonymously- lending a hand.
And we worry about so much, his job.  Our savings.  But we wonder too, more than worry- we wonder.


About:
 The folks back home who struggle too, who lose too- their sure footing because someone hurt them in word or deed, right when they most needed assurance, a gentle strong kindness to see them through....
And then we see this morning, in the form of green carnations and bowed heads came griefs shared, sorrows carried for a time so the family who lost more than any of them can ever say, at least, at least they know that many have risen so that they do not have to. For now- the hearts of mankind are thawed, open, beating one tick at a time together, as the black limo passes.


  A kind act in snow removal, or a tiny, green tinged petal of a flower that lands at one's window at least, at least!  I can finally see what my eyes have painfully adjusted to- love bears all.


When others reveal to the one's who are suffering an out and out down-in-the-dirt-too raw empathy- that is compassion; the necessary ingredient in healing.  Without it, scars form over wounds that will not heal.  


And so it is at this time of year, the darkest days soon revealing more light- I pray for you and I pray for me, that we may find within ourselves deep wells of compassion. 
 And if you think it is not within you, I pray you think again- for even the most lowly among us have it there in that invisible dimension although no one ever knows this until it is shared.


 That's how it works and many, many times- most silently.  No words are necessary- green carnations, a bowed head, tears,sobs, a hand upon a shoulder, a nod of understanding, a squeeze of fingers... 
  A freshly plowed drive, by a black truck that no one seems to know who it's owner is.... 

Peace to you and yours.  And snow bright joy...take care-

Try A Little Tenderness

I received the most amazing phone call yesterday, one that was unexpected and deeply appreciated.

In this real estate stuff, I'm constantly on my toes, manicuring this and that...such a silly waste of time on a country place. Weeds grow, birds poop and Garter Snakes like to hang out in the tree line...try to keep all that at bay while city folks who yearn for country living come and see just what a little secluded farm has to offer. I can tell you most don't think about the wildness of such a place, it's a bit too much information at first. Seems folks do enjoy the birds though and the way the wind makes music with the high flying leaves of the Silver Maples. I love to hear such exclamations-

"Is that the wind? It sounds so peaceful here! Does it always sound like that?!"

(Why yes, it does! And when the wind comes out of the East- it sounds like tryouts for the Junior High band as every body wants to play the tuba and trombones....)
Now there's a symphony for sure, when good Old Mother Nature has your full attention as she strikes her cymbals with thunder blasts and lightening crashes. (This is why I've hired someone to show the house and grounds, I'm a bit too honest, some may say "smart ass-ish" to be of any good use to myself when it comes to For Sale By Owner...)

As I was saying, the phone call. After another sweeping of the shed and a boxing up of auction stuff and feeling a bit depressed on top of overwhelmed although appreciating this as of late beautiful weather we're having here...my cell phone, ever at the ready these days- began to ring and vibrate.
(or rather played "Try A Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding, love that song...)
I did not recognize the number or area code, so naturally- I answered.

Mandi called. Mandi who?! Mandi, a fellow Marine- a friend of Beau's from back in North Carolina- a good friend, one who to this day remembers my son with love and gratitude and had been thinking about him and us and had wanted to make this phone call for so long. She didn't know how we'd feel about it, didn't want to upset us. She named her baby boy, her one year old son after her best buddy from her Marine days- Beau. The feeling on my end? I cannot describe it. I only know a pure happy feeling, a joy that has no name- a pride that is to be worn right here on my heart, like a badge of honor. Invisible though it may be, but I wonder- aren't the best and most wonderful unexpected joys, invisible after all? Certainly invisible to the eyes of most, but I suspect everyone I meet today will notice a lightness about me, a beautiful way to be- all because a young woman who I have never met in person took the time, in kindness and courage- to share a most wonderful, remarkable blessing. She named her child Beau.

Semper Fi...

Peace to all, love to all, joy to all...Beauty of the day. Amen.