Tag: love
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Tuesday’s Tales
Again, some random pieces of information from today… If I die in South Africa, it won’t be from any of the horrible safety report reasons I read about before coming. It will be trying to escape my house if there’s a fire because I can’t get my dang skeleton keys to work! I’m hankering something…
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Animals and More
Today’s post is mostly about animals. I have some answers thanks to my local colleagues. The other day I mentioned my bird app and also that I may or may not have a pteradactyl fly over my house on the regular. I heard that same bird call while the three of us were meeting the…
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Writefully Hers
Not long after my mom passed away, I felt an urge to commit myself to writing and began an almost daily ritual of doing so. I also knew I wanted to share this passion with other women, so one day over lunch at my house, I told my friend Katie about my plan to start…
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How Do I Say Goodbye?
Having my siblings in for the weekend was so significant. After my mom (who gathered us for events big and small) passed, we knew we would have to make the effort to keep getting together and celebrating. None of us worried, but life has a way of getting busy and complicated and demanding and so…
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SADurday
Today I am sad.I don’t need to be cheered up.I don’t need to look at the bright side.I don’t need to get busy and distract myself.Today I am sad.And I want to be.My youngest has left,pulled away in her little “Bean” carpacked to the gills with her bags,clothes, new bedding, new pillows,a case of water,…
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Too Many Tabs
“Want to do a May Challenge?” my friend texted me at the end of April. She loves doing plank, push up or dietary challenges and always tries to rope me in for accountability (or because misery loves company, as I often counter!). “Friend,” I responded, “May IS the challenge!!”May was progress checking in the form…
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Mother’s Day
I celebrated Mother’s Day as I always do,so grateful to have a mother and be a mother.It’s been two and half years since I’ve lost mine,but today as I took my evening walk,I smelled her.I inhaled her scent so deeply into my lungs,and said hello.I told her some news and how I was doing,and told…
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Somewhere Right Now
Somewhere, right now, a woman is walking on cushiony clouds, each step bouncy and alive because a first date turned into a second and a third is in the books. Right now, she texts him to say she’ll bring dinner and writes a magazine-worthy description of his choices. “I just don’t feel like a woman…
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The Lightness of Being
It’s been coming for some time, I can see that now.I sensed it now and then, yet…I didn’t note how the minutes became hours became days.I didn’t recognize the consistency and variations.I knew I felt peaceful, happy, content, alive, vibrant, tingly.But then it hit me, really hit me, last week.A regular Monday in March, nothing…
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Miami
Perhaps this trip will be my last,to the city of Miami.My daughter’s moving on from there,two years gone by in a flash.I hadn’t thought I’d like it much,the beach is not my scene.I thought it’d have a different vibe,but there’s so much natural green.My flight was smooth and super quick,it was so nice not to…
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The Final Say
“You will always have the final say in which experiences you choose to control and consume your life.” ~DodinskyMy friend’s husband always says, “Don’t allow people to take up space in your head rent free.” It always makes me smile because it’s said with love and concern for me when I am trying to make…
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Real Friendship
“A real friendship will give you that sense of “belongingness.” When you think the world has abandoned you, there’s that someone who helps you see your worth and makes you feel that you always matter to them.” ~DodinskyNext to my children (who are becoming more like friends the older they get), my friendships are my…
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Handsome Henry
His stance is so regal, His back is so straight,When not with his brother,His tireless playmate.His eyes look right at me,Bore into my soul,He seems almost human,As if that’s his goal.My handsome little man,So sweet and so true,My loyal companion,I’ll always love you!Photo: Henry, 11.3.24 by LA
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One Heart
I think I’ve always thought of usas having two hearts -a literal one and a figurative one.The literal one gives us life,pumping blood throughout our bodies,delivering oxygen and nutrients to our cells,and removing waste;a muscle that needs to be protected,maintained, and strengthened.That heart is literally our life giver.The figurative heart was different, separate;love an abstract…
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Make America Better
It’s nearly midnight and I’m just getting home from an amazing four day getaway to Atlanta, GA that was everything I needed. Today, on our last afternoon, we went to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It was an emotional 2.5 hours as we moved from exhibit to exhibit, reading, viewing, and even…
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Apple Picking with Newlyweds
A few weekends ago, I spent a glorious afternoon,unusually warm for October,apple picking with my daughter and her husband,during their first weekend visit home since the wedding.I marveled at both the novelty and the ordinaryof the newlyweds and their interactions -light banter, playful competition, silly teasing,mixed with snuggles and handholding and kisses.Watching them read the…
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I Miss My Mom
Visiting my daughter in Miami,We walked a block in the rain,To a little place she likes to eat,To order food and bring it back to her place.As we were checking out,(She in front of me as I was more indecisive,)I handed her my credit card to pay,But as I approached the cash register,I saw her…
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Two Year Anniversary
I woke this morning,At a hotel in Connecticut again,Having slept so well,With my daughter in the bed beside me,Her injured leg propped on three pillows,Feeling grateful I could do this one thing,To ease her pain and bring her comfort.So why did I feel a pit in my stomach?This pressure in my chest?A feeling of dread?And…
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Self Love
A few years ago, while shopping on a winter weekend getaway with my then boyfriend, I found the most beautiful sign that fit us perfectly. Well, at the moment he was acting a bit off, but I bought it anyway, thinking things would improve and I would hang it. Dating on and off over the…
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Kissing Booth
Strolling down a quaint streetIn a quaint town,I spot a kissing boothOn the sidewalk.Knowing he would oblige,I push him toward it.He hops insideAnd his eyes shift up to the right,Feigning shyness and embarrassment,(When I know that’s almost impossible-He’ll do anything for a laugh).I step up and ask for a kiss.He leans forwardAnd I catch him…
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Goosebumps
Ford’s Theater,Washington, DCFriday, Feb. 2, 2024Written Then, Spoken Now: African American Letters to Lincoln.My sister, my daughter and ITogether for an eveningLovers of books, history and learning…The warmest goosebumps.Seated just feetFrom the boxWhere Lincoln was shot…The chilliest goosebumps.The scholarPresenting his researchFraming the time and thinking of President Lincoln…The tingly-est goosebumps.The actorsDramatically reading the letters,Firsthand accounts of…
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Tea
The warmth spreads through me,As my hands clasp the dog mug,Given by Santa,That holds the tea of the day-Chamomile and Vanilla.Photo: Flemington, NJ. 1.31.24 by LA
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Priorities
I’m taking a class called Love Your Life for the month of January. Each day I listen to a lesson and then do some journaling in the workbook. Although nothing has been too new to me, I appreciate the time spent on and with myself, as well as getting clear on what I want and focusing my…
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Expansion
Fear grips me,Holds me in its tight embrace,Whispers, “Turn inward, come close,”And my world becomes small.Constricted, my body tenses,My shoulders hunch, my jaw sets,My thoughts circle on an endless loop,Catastrophizing, taunting, torturing.Isolations puts up her walls…And I am “safe.”Love embraces me,Lifts me in her exuberant embrace,Shouts, “Open your mind, open your heart!”And my world becomes…
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Morning, Arun Poem
Dawn – Pups stir, I lay still. ‘Not yet,’ I think, ‘One more hour, please?’ Still – They sense It’s not yet Time to wake, so They snuggle back in. Time – I rouse. They rush to My face, smother Me in pup kisses! Photo: Flemington, NJ. 1.23.23 by LA
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Perfectly Imperfect
For the month of June, I am flipping through Clarity and Connection, by Yung Pueblo daily and randomly stopping at a page and reading. I am using the entry to delve into my thoughts and feelings, find what resonates, and see what answers it might hold for me. It is an exercise in building my…
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National Poetry Month-LOVE, Shaped Verse
Love Love C a n y o u d e f i n e i t? Is it a f e e l i n g o r e m o t i o n? Is it f o u n d d e e p in y o u r s o u l?…
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National Poetry Month-Recipe for Motherhood
4 heaping cups of Mama bear, lay down my life love 1 cup each of awe and inspiration, gratitude and joy 1/2 cup each of patience, empathy and compassion 3T each of structure, discipline and expectations Generously sprinkle in laughter and humor Fold in snuggles and hugs Remove any sense of having control (ever again!)…
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Their Anniversary in Heaven
Yesterday was my parents’ anniversary. Were they both alive, it would have been their 64th. My mom outlived my dad by 20 years, so this was their first anniversary reunited. I wondered a lot yesterday about what it would be like. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of Heaven. I’ve always hoped there is…
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Letter to My Loving Parent
Dear Loving Parent, Be with me as I struggle, Embolden me when I feel fear, Embrace me when I feel unlovable, Reassure me when I feel I’m not enough, Stay by my side when I feel I don’t belong, Show me warmth when I feel anxious, Show me grace when I’m indecisive or make the…
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Do you love me unconditionally?
Do I love you unconditionally? Well, that’s conditional Conditional Depends on conditions How I feel What I’m doing How your words strike me If your actions trouble me If your behaviors trigger my insecurity If my fear is in the driver’s seat If you’re struggling If I’m struggling If you threaten my self esteem If…
The Journey Inward 