Thursday, December 31, 2015

Sunday, December 13, 2015

a photo worth celebrating...

it's a tradition
photos of the kids
sometimes...


us parent's too
it was easier when
they were young
all under the same roof
then they age
and off they go
to their own worlds
with a wife and a girlfriend
it's hard sometimes
knowing just
how far to push
when to let go
how to stay connected
add in a grudge
 or two
a betrayal
hurtful words
and life gets even
more
 complicated
and at times confusing
this little family
is fractured right now
heartbreaking
yet necessary
with time comes healing
maturity
perspective
and hopefully
 new found energy
to move forward
to create new beginnings
thankful for the
happy times
such as this picture
taken on sister's birthday
for those memories
keep your heart
beating

Monday, November 16, 2015

je m' appelle joice

it has been
a long
long time...
 

since i studied french
so long
that i barely
remember
most words
of the beautiful language
still
like many
my heart fills
with just the mention
of the eiffel tower
the streets of paris
so when word
first
starting spreading
that terrorists
had struck
the city of love
it was hard to
believe
as more details
surfaced
there is no denying
the world is
changing
and for that
i feel helpless
and afraid
scared for my
loved ones
yet we can't let fear
dictate
our every move
so i did what i know best
i took
 to my sewing machine...

 
...creating a circle
using fabric
purple of course
with eiffel towers
to form a dresden
or friendship circle
for in my world
if we all just started
loving a little more
hated a little less
just imagine
the difference
we could make

Sunday, May 10, 2015

a different kind of mother's day...

i've learned over
the years
that life is full...
.

...of unpredictable moments
your day to day
existence
can be humming along
and then
out of nowhere a
situation presents
that hits you
upside the head
 like a two by four
as i sat across
the table
from my son and his wife
the words stung
like alcohol to
a freshly opened wound
my tears feel freely
not just for me
but for my mother
it took me back
to a place
earlier in my life
where i too
said many unkind things
and for the first time
i was sitting in her seat
i read once
that every child
grows to hate their mother
and you will know when they
have matured
by the day
they learn to accept and love
her for who she is
no longer will you see
her short comings
rather you will
appreciate her care
her support
her love
for me
it took a while
to almost fifty five really
the greatest blessing
now
is the opportunity
 to observe my momma
with my princess of a girl
the two have become
best buds
for that i am most grateful
as i recognize
not every adult child
is given this
second chance
with their
mother still on earth
yet we know
those days are coming to a close
soon
my mother is dying
she has terminal cancer
it is slowly yet
surely taking away her
health
her good days
are becoming less and less
what would i change
not a thing i suppose
for our trials and triumphs
have shaped me into
who i am today
a very grateful daughter
who has the ability to
turn the bad into the good
the pain into a
promise
for a better tomorrow
no doubt
sad
yet brutifully abundant
with rich blessings
motherhood i've learned
is a journey
not a sprint
rather more like a
 marathon
that has not yet been run
because
we're always
in training

Sunday, March 22, 2015

sweet child of mine...

my baby
the third born
always...


...always, always
keeps me on my toes
his little antics
are never too bold
just enough to
have me scratching
my head
wondering what i could
do different
perhaps better
as a parent
he has a heart of
pure gold
though
a work ethic
like none other
at eighteen
he busses tables
at a country club
hard grunt work
last night
he came home
with flowers
for me
just because
they are
purple
and he knew
i'd love them
which i do
i love him
even more

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Thursday, January 1, 2015

hello 2015

a new year
brings new
opportunities...

and new possibilities
for growth
change
and exploration
i'm ready
here's to
a new year
welcome
2015!