October 23 2019:
Incredibly excited! Just received the Kindle version from the book designer for proofing!! Stay up late proofing or get to bed now so I can get up early and proof?? What a joy to be to this point now. Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!
October 24 2019:
Deep into proofing the Kindle version of the book. During this entire process from the beginning stages of putting the manuscript together up to now; I sometimes feel a strong urge that a writing wants to be shared (right now!). That just happened with this one. Written in June 2018.
Knowing of the Heart
We have come together upon this Earth
to travel our own separate paths
Yet, traveling them together.
It has not escaped my attention
that there were and are places
and events we talked and
dreamed of experiencing.
Our lives together seem to
have become mundane and boring.
Seeming to have the same days
over and over again.
With little new experiences
by way of sights, sounds,
and adventures.
Sadness and failure encroached
upon these shoulders and heart
As the message was received
of how important it is to
travel with one’s family.
Travel so as to have one to one
time together … away from the
normalcy of being in the
same place and routines.
Yet, before the cloud could
fully envelop this heart,
the heart whispered to
the sadness a response
so profound and enlightening
the sadness and failure
did halt and lift to be
transmuted to peace and knowing.
The heart whispered …
Wait.
Each walk taken,
Each drive around
neighborhoods,
Each date day,
Each spontaneous trip
for simple life’s
necessities,
Each trip to the park,
Each drive to a lookout
to watch the sunset or
have a car picnic,
Each occasion you chose
to make special …
Each of those times was
a trip to a beautiful
and everlasting destination.
You and your children
have taken many trips.
They may not be the
actual destinations the
three of you envisioned.
No. They are not.
Yet, each of these trips
led to destinations
that many may never get
a chance to experience.
The trip. The destination.
Within you it is.
Take it with you
always, you do.
This is the alchemy
of the heart.
Glory be.
Take notice of
your profound ability
to make something
out of seemingly nothing.
Know this.
And be free.
Hallelujah!
June 2018
Dedicated to my children … Thomas and Lillian
There’s nothing better than a walk with my loves. I cherish every walk taken with each one of them. Every walk …. Since they were wee tiny ones growing within me. As of the writing of the previous poem, Lillian and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years; and Thomas and me for nearly 13 years. Love, sweet love.
(Picture of us July 2018 – midnight at the Vegas airport, returning from the C18 Conference in Baltimore)
October 26 2019:
Apostrophes and dashes, oh my!! I’m surprised I didn’t dream about apostrophes and dashes haunting me! On the last round of proofreading and then back to the book designer. Nothing major to correct … Except … Many apostrophe slip ups and a few grammar errors! (The dandelion seed will be smaller in the final version. The designer missed that in my original instructions.)
