Snow Day-Christmas Wishes

Though we often have snow on Christmas.. they say this is the snowiest here since 1945... we already have about 8 inches of new snowfall and are headed for 10-12 more! How absolutely beautiful. Blessings and a very Merry Christmas to all..

"Kris" Kringle :)

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

Blessings to each of you this Christmas!

Perspectives

I spent the early part of the week in the hospital, in part due to congenital issues and the precious balance of hormones, activity and food/drink that I need to keep healthy. Though I am one who tries to eat healthy stay very fit and take care of myself.. sometimes we are dealt cards at birth that we need to learn to deal with and live life as fully as possible. As the doctors were looking at my history and mentioning perplexity, I couldn't help but feel so grateful I have lived life as fully as I have.

Amidst my time there, a talk with a dear friend this morn, and the many well wishs of folks close to me... I am mindful of the precious nature of life. There are times amidst my energetic optimistic self that I face my own humanity and vulnerabilities amidst that which is held most dear. ... Yet times such as this week remind me of how deeply important those we most love are and how deeply important it is to spend time doing the things you love to do with the people you love.

Existential Questions...

At times existential questions visit in the places we hold most dear. Rilke said we must learn to love the questions; but what if it is the source of the questions we love?

Thanksgiving thoughts..

I pray you all had a most wonderful Thanksgiving. ... We were amidst travels to cheeseland and are now back. November has been so wonderful with the warmer weather and too a fair amount of sun, the heart just can't help but shine. ... Here is a brief Thanksgiving reflection:


Happy Thanksgiving to all my Journal Friends
On this Thanksgiving
I bow in gratitude
for two jobs I love
for health
for joy
for the good Lord
for the saving grace of Christ
for friends and family
and for all the beautiful souls
who grace my life...

My friend

shall forever be

my friend,

and reflect

a rayof God to me.

-Henry David Thoreau-

Poetic Beauty

Perhaps poetic beauty

rings music

in places

we hold both founts of joy

and vessels of tears

For perhaps

those places somewhere

find harmony

in the symphonyof love

Kringle

A quote for the day...

Recently a friend called in tears.. as I tried to offer comfort and friendship, I was mindful of what a gift true friendship is. ... It is those special souls with whom we can share anything, be ourselves, and support one another.

This quote I have often shared with a close friend. It has been credited to a few different authors, most often Twain or Souza. I find its beauty and importance in the times that we find joy, and too those we find tears. Amidst a recent talk with a friend who was hurting, I find it's wisdom.

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is ...listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." — (Twain & Souza)

Life, love, and the perplexity and beauty of the journey...

I realize perhaps in the past few years I have come to know how deeply I feel, how deeply I laugh, how deeply I cry, how deeply I love. ... Some may say, "can we love too much"? I would argue no... sometimes there is pain or sadness when the heart grows tender if a loved one is hurt, if we hurt, if there are questions and hardships, or if we grow tender in our hearts wishes as we yearn for answers to the existential questions that sometimes visit. ... yet perhaps in the depths of all types of love, romance, friendship, passion, nurturing, affectionate, and unconditional love. ... it is the true love that holds to the joy and beauty of love of self, others and the good Lord. ... and for those whom we deeply love, though sometimes tenderness come, does not joy in love ring eternal?

tender...

I awoke so deeply tender this morn...

I think I have daffodils growing in my heart

Certain special souls touch our lives

and pieces of music or great poetry our hearts and minds

this one touches me today...

And think not you can direct the course of love,

for love,

if it finds you worthy,

directs your course.

Love has no desire but to fulfill itself

Kahlil Gibran

unexpected visit..

Amidst the recent unexpected visit of a longstanding health condition, I am mindful of the perplexing beauty, and complexity of the body, mind and spirit. Though normally so very healthy and one who tries to take utmost care of myself, ... perhaps sometimes we are reminded of our humanity? Our normally strong, self assured selves can visit places of pain, sadness and hurt and our emotions can ride the waves of time as we come to realize that which is held most dear and the precious nature of life. ... I have found during such times, that love of the Good Lord, Friends and family is so important as is spending time with those most loved. ... The mere sharing of a walk, talk, dinner, or even the smallest of blogs, emails, calls, and well wishes are so deeply appreciated. .. Perhaps there is beauty in coming to touch our vulnerabilities, sadnesses and pains amidst the eternal joy that can walk with us if we are grounded in faith, strength, and love?.

Tender...

perhaps

we will always hold tenderness in the heart

in places

we hold the most beautiful blossoms

of love..

"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live" — Yutang Lin

“A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health
And quiet breathing” (John Keats)

touch of beauty

Do you ever have those days when all seems right with the world as you gently greet the day with a smile in your heart and you find that it all seems to fit well? My daughter and I met a dear friend and his son for a bike ride on the Root River trail yesterday. The air was fresh, the weather perfect, and the trails nearly empty, providing a union with each other, the Good Lord, and the nature around. ... We followed it with a delightful lunch at a small cafe in a tiny town and traversed back only to share guitar, song, friendship and drink. ... .

We all need to enjoy life's most precious moments!

Blessings

There are days...

There are days we awake

With joy beyond words

There are days we awake

With tears of unspoken sad

There are days we awake

Wondering whats ahead

There are days we awake

with sweet prayers on our lips

No matter the heartthe emotion

the thought

Let's always awake

With love on our hearts...

prayer...

I recently gave a dear friend prayer cards..

here is one of the beautiful prayers....

In the stillness of this breath
I can take comfort in knowing I am
Part of something greater than myself.

Sound trumpets in the sea of heavens

that find solace in your soul

sing melodies across the land

that bring meaning to your whole

breathe love upon the universe

in laughter, smiles and tears

dance upon the dewdrops whet

let go of latent fears

and smile amidst humanity

that grips the test of time

As each step walked creates the path

of God's beautiful divine...

Kringle

Prayer Request.. and "Soul Mates"

It is said that persons are lucky if they find even one soulmate in life. .. I am a firm believer in soulmates but that they do not typify a specific kind of love or relationship but that they denote two individuals who connect in a unique, special and rare way that transcends earlthy explaination.

I have felt so fortunate to find 3 soulmates along life's walk, all of whom are dearly loved perhaps in different ways and each relationship so unique and special. Within each relationship I have not only experienced a "soul" connection, but often there have been experiences beyond explaination. Just a couple nights ago I dreamt of calling a dear friend and telling him of an accident of my soul sister Julie. .. But 24 hours after the dream .. it came true. Yesterday I felt the Good Lord's nudge to call dear Julie. As she answered the phone she cried and said the Lord must of sent my call to her. The night I had the dream it turns out she had a difficult car crash, losing the car and getting very banged up. I am so glad she wasn't more seriously hurt as my dear brother died 12 years ago having suffered a grand mal seizure and a single car crash into a tree (with 2 tons of equipment in the trailer behind him). ... Later that night I too shared with my dear friend about Julie's accident.

Its funny how the Lord works sometimes. ... There are times life brings questions of God's wishes for our journey, and others that the Lord's presence is so apparent...

I'd appreciate prayers for my friends, loved ones, and Julie.

Thank you for stopping by

Blessings

Kringle

Moments

Sometimes we are gifted

with opportunities

of fantastic experiences

in doing what we love

with those loved

and those special moments

forever leave footprints

upon the soul

Kringle

I am mindful that there are special souls

that forever touch our lives

and how important it is

to daily thank the God Lord

for those dear and special souls

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other."-lucian de crescenzo

Blessings to each of you

Summer Touch..

Summer touch

beneath my wings

take flight in depth

let spirit sing

the dance of life

permeate

the smiles the tears

love create

run wild through the sands

of life's journey

fly angels on wings

across the sea

will vast never cease

to bring end to the flight

let hearts sing now

in pure delight...

Kringle

Are there days...

Are there days you touch the tender reality, beauty and questions of humanity? ...

Are there days you ponder life's gentle course in gratitude and tears?

Are there days you feel so happy you could dance upon the mountain tops..

yet so tender that tears could flow to the river?

Are there days?....

Today this quote touches me in ways that perhaps transcend words...

So I share the words that move me:

"Love is not love until love's vulnerable."

(Theodore Roethke)

Are there days you touch the vulnerability of Love for others

amidst the grandest of loves of our dear Lord?

Are there days?

Thoughts for the Day... on "Wholeness"

I have been reading an interesting book titled Seeking Peace by Johann Christoph Arnold. Within the book he shares a wonderful quote from Henri Nouwen...

As Nouwen talks of the complexity of life and multiple roles, activities, values, beliefs, etc. he writes

How can we "keep in together" when we are constantly being torn apart? Jesus says, "Not a hair of your head will be lost. Your perseverence will win you your lives (Luke 21:18019). We can only survive our world when we trust that God knows us more intimately than we know ourselves. We can only keep it together when we believe that God holds us together. We... win our lives when we remain faithful to the truth that every little part of us, yes every hair, is completely safe in the divine embrace of our Lord. "

Do you ever have those tender areas of your life that you care so much about yet they too seed such vulnerability when gentle concerns or questions seep in to the thoughts and feelings? No matter how much faith, hope and love we live life with, we are all so deeply human. ...

Sometimes it is so incredibly difficult, yet so uniquely important,

to "Let go and Let God."....

Words to sing to the mind...

I thought I'd start the day with words to sing through our minds..

Follow the glistening dew drops
To the center of the web
Limitations define us,
Ordeals temper us
See the Great Teacher
Behind every disguise

Ralph H. Blum

your dad...

So I'm curious, if anyone stops by, what is your favorite memory of your dad?....

Despite mom's mental illness, and my brother's disabilities, my dad always has kept an optimistic view of life and strived to live life fully. ... My favorite memories stem from the fact that although an executive and very busy man. He always found time to spend time with my brother and me... to teach us silly games, bring us on adventures and to show us the world through travel, story, and exploration... Now that I'm grown, I have developed a deep respect for how selflessly he has lived life, yet how many friends he has formed along the way!!

How rare and precious are the journeys with those we love most and connect with on a level that transcends words....

"The best and most beautiful things

cannot be seen,

or even touched.

They must be felt with the heart."

-Helen Keller

I just returned from a delightful MS 150 event.. a 150 mile Bike ride from Duluth to the cities. ... to benefit M.S. This year sadly, two of our 15 members unexpectedly were diagnosed with M.S. ... it was a sad irony, yet speaks to the importance of research for this special event. ... We raised over $10,000 and I am so grateful for the generosity of those who give to others!!

Blessings to each of you

Friendship

I am mindful the beautiful gift of friendship... though we walk through life and in an out of so many people's lives, it is the depth of life long, loving best friends that provides support through the journey. .. Today much nostalgia has visited as sometimes memories bring us to the heights of delight, and the sweet pangs of sadness, yet isn't there beauty in every walk of the journey?

I was searching for a quote in one of my massive compilations of favorite quotes I compiled throughout the years. .. Amidst my search I came upon another quote... it is one I wrote back in 2003 as I bowed in gratitude for a new special friend... ironically it was a quote that came to me in a conversation with God.. . Sometimes prayer brings such wonders to life. ...

Here is the quote:

“Friendship is a gift that affords two people to walk together through the challenges, joys, and adventures of life, celebrating each other in the journey” --

(written by me... yet perhaps a gift from God, amidst a deeply cherished friendship and shared journey)

As I contemplate the complexity of life, love, friendships, family and our journey with others, I am mindful as we walk through life, we are lucky to ever connect on a soulful level with one or two people; such connections are so unique and rare as two people wish for the best for one another, never wish to bring hurt, yet too, always are there amidst our deepest of skills, talents and joys, and deepest of vulnerabilities, failings and humanity. .... I love this quote:

A soul connection is a resonance between two people who respond to the essential beauty of each other’s individual natures, behind their facades, and who connect on this deeper level. This kind of mutual recognition provides the catalyst for a potent alchemy. It is a sacred alliance whose purpose is to help both partners discover and realize their deepest potentials. While a heart connection lets us appreciate those we love just as they are, a soul connection opens up a further dimension—seeing and loving them for who they could be, and for who we could become under their influence

John Welwood, “Love and Awakening”

Ever?

Do you ever in the fleetest of moments touch a tenderness and vulnerability within?.. Amidst the strength, faith, joy and love held, sometimes the smallest of things can touch our deepest humanity.

"I understand now that the vulnerability I've always felt is the greatest strength a person can have. You can't experience life without feeling life. What I've learned is that being vulnerable to somebody you love is not a weakness, it is a strength."

(Elisabeth Shue)

Thoughts on Prayer...

Amidst tenderness that visits... I was thinking about the amazing power of prayer and how we create with our dear loving God of grace. Since a small child I have bowed on my knees in prayer in the midst of tears, sadness, triumph and joy. ... I could tell stories of amazing transformation and miracles, yet too times of sorrow where I argued with God in the questions and sadness. Is it not such a blessing that we can wrestle with, talk to, cry with, celebrate, and express that which is our innermost self to the dear Lord? It is in times of tears, and in times of joy, in times of strength, and in times of great vulnerability that I find deep solace in God's gentle whisper.

I am mindful of the great words of Martin Luther as he spoke of prayer...

"God cares for us so much that he is prepare to give us even more than we are ready to receive or ask for. Because he is offering us so much, we can pray with confidence...."

I do not pretend to always pray in confidence of that which I most hope for, or the healing of my hurts, or celebration of my triumphs.. yet I know I can express anything to the good Lord, and am confident in His infinite wisdom and love that amidst my humanity, the good Lord listens, whsipers, and is always there...

So today I pray for my joys, my saddness, my heartaches, my triumphs, my questions, my answers and in celebration for all those loved, all those who hurt, all those in need, and all those special souls that wander to this place.

One Lovely Blog...

a favorite beautiful place... and a favorite time.. in Australia

Heartfelt Thanks to September Mom who Listed this blog as a "One Lovely Blog" award.. on her beautiful blog: My Voice, My View

I am touched....

Let's all take time out

and consider that which brings us beauty

and love

to the depths of our souls

Blessings

Kringle

“Be helpless, dumbfounded, unable to say yes or no. Then a stretcher will come from grace and gather us up” (Rumi)

Mom's Day

I am mindful that Mother's Day can bring a dance of gratitude, love, joy, and sadness depending on where we are in life. ... Today events were such a mix for me, in the joy, in the love, in the gratitude, yet too in the sad. ...

Perhaps in the many tendernesses, I was reminded of mom's schizophrenia and the barriers it has posed for her in fully realizing life... yet too the gratitude that she always did the best she could. I too spent time with a dearly valued friend, received kind messages from my "second daughter" and additional messages from friends, ... and I got to spend time with my little dearie...

In the tenderness, love and gratitude,

I pray all the mom's out there

had a beautiful Mother's Day

The tender touch of Humanity

Chinese friendship garden, Sydney

Do you every touch your tenderest of humanities

as tears fill your eyes in the dance

of the joy and the sadnesses that are the instruments

that play the melody of life?

Do you ever contemplate how love can be so powerful

that the Good Lord sent dear Jesus in grace and love beyond words

Do you ever stop and tenderly touch the loves in your own heart

that are too powerful for words?

Do you ever touch your deepest vulnerabilities

those that hold most meaning

and bring you to touch the gentle questions

of the walk

Do you ever drop to your knees in prayer

in awe

and contemplate the beauty of life

Do you ever?

Beautiful Excerpt...

Every beginning

is only a sequel, after all,

and the book of events

is always open halfway through...

(Wislawa Szmborska)

Perspectives...

I took this photo while at a recent National Conference in Texas...It is a reminder of the devastation that hit Galveston.

Sometimes it takes subtle reminders

to bring us to our knees

and to remember....

all those who suffer

those who are ill

those who hurt

those who cry out...

and to consider all that we have

all that we are

the many blessings that grace our lives

and that the simplest of gestures

can sometimes brighten a life

Words that Move... as Sent from My Soul Sister

Typically I start my day teaching aerobics, followed by sharing with my dear daughter, and then a short devotion or reflection to start the day. There are only 3 in my life I have held to as soul mates/ friends. They are those special souls with which we connect on a different level than anyone else.. .perhaps in a way that transcends earthly connections and ventures to the spiritual. Often my soul sister Julie and I send each other touching devotions. I thought I'd share the moving words she sent me today. ... I thought of the concept of doors, avenues and opportunities set forth by the good Lord. I thought back to my most difficult decision, to leave a place of work I loved in order to take a faculty position. ... It was a door the good Lord clearly opened and gently guided me through, yet too such a difficult decision to make. ... Leaving a place of work I loved and total security and fairly decent pay was the most difficult decision I ever made... here I am 12 years later reflecting on how it too, was one of the best decisions I made! Blessings to all and may we all see the opportunities and doors the good Lord opens!

One Door Closes..Another Opens Revelations 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.

Sometimes when we least expect

in the view of a beautiful sunset

the spending time with those loved

in the laughter of the child

tears of the heart

or inspiration of a fine poem

we touch the tenderest of places

in our soul...

Words that Move Me...

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health

And quiet breathing

(John Keats)

Happy Easter

I sat alone wondering

in the call

where you were

I cried to you when sad

and gently smiled when joy filled

sometimes I stumbled

sometimes I fell

You never hesitate

to pick me up

brush me off

and whisper to me

in my humanity

that I am loved

I tell you all my deepest secrets

my failings

my wonders

you listen

and you love me

like none other

Sometimes I forget

to say thank you

yet you still loved

and stretched out

and died for me

your love brings awe

and as I strive

to express gratitude

I am mindful that no matter

the hour,

the day,

my joy,

my stumbling

you are there

and it was the "I", and the "We"

you died for

that we may dance in the heavens

with you

eternally...

Thank you Jesus

Thank you

Kringle

Eve Stop and thoughts on death

Amidst a busy week it has been some time that I have visited my online journal, Facebook, this blog, and a poetry site I visit. ... I realize that these sites are such a blessing yet too sometimes take time and therefore life's journey brings us to the ebbs and flows of personal, interpersonal, and e-interface. ...

This past week I was notified of the recent death of our neighbor Karl. ... I admit, sadness still visits as I walk by his house and expect him to be in the yard with a smile, wave and greeting. He was the neigborhood socialite and always the first to help out if something needed fixing or a car was sputtering. ... Karl found out less than a year ago that he had stage 4 cancer... only months later at his young age of 54 he is dead... it seems surreal.

Yet, too it is in death we are reminded of that which we hold most dear. This last year I posted this poem to a website. It is one that means a great deal to me as a friend's parent died at the time and then the following month a friend from aerobics died. .. .I share it again here.

Blessings to anyone who may visit

After Glow...

I'd like the memory of me

To be a happy one

I'd like to leave and after glow

Of smiles when life is done

I'd like to leave an echo

Whisperin softly down

the ways of happy times,

and..laughing times,

and bright and..sunny days

I'd like the tears of those who

I grieve, to dry before the sun

of happy memories that I leave

when life is done (Anonymous)...

Spring Surprise....

Yes, reality hit this morn... look what showed up this morn... the snow laden view looking back by the deck and pool:

Breath of Snow...

Snow falls down

on springs new dawn

soft til white

upon the lawn

Childlike moods

within awake

taunting what?

a spring snow flake?

Ye laugh today

in April' born

lookin somewhat more

like Christmas morn

Just smile within

the childlike heart

it'll all soon melt

in winter's part

and spring life breathe

within awake

hello fresh sun

good bye snow flake!!!

ever?

Amidst the daily walk...

do you ever touch your tenderest of places of humanity and vulnerability?