Pain

What is pain?
Anguish of soul
or body

They're inextricably mixed

I cry out
"Why God?"
"What did I do wrong?"

He answers me in
the sweet silence of
Pain.

Pain is
knowing where you are
and not running from it

Pain accepts
because you cannot escape

Pain crushes
       wounds
       humbles us

Pride, the unwelcome guest
packs up and leaves

Pain releases the
tight fist and
opens us up

to Life

Compassionate eyes
for all suffering

Grace comes

My 6 year old, Raja,
slips his thin arm in mine
"I'll help you, mommy!"

My dear hubby
signals me to see
the golden haze
outside

Rain washed slab stones
shine

Surprise!!

"Come quick, everyone!"
They rush to see

We beckon our neighbors
with an insistent knock

"Look, look" -
It's a double rainbow!

Glorious, bright and full
it fills our sky

"I'm so glad you showed us,"
they say,
"We would've missed it!"

In five minutes it's gone -
Clouds burn with envy

Later, suds flying
Grimy plates washed clean

and, Surprise!

Globe of liquid rainbows
rests on the soap bottle

A wink and a promise

God is in control
And all is well.

2012 - The Year in Flowers

We started 2012 in Bangalore, India with my husband's family.  The first picture is a bouquet that was presented to us with much pomp and circumstance.  Imagine dignitaries and a Kollywood (this is NOT misspelled!) star seeing us off to our visit to mountainous Coorg.  A wild ride with curious monkeys looking on. Atop the mountains we were in tea fields - my dream!  We stayed at a coffee plantation on my first to India, so now it's complete!  Next, notice the beautiful chalk drawings on the pavement by my talented sister-in law, Premila.  She also, like is a tradition in India, designs flower arrangements as heads of flowers and petals floating on water.  These arrangements are placed next to the front door of your dwelling.  Another common practice is to have large clay pots lined up against your home or around your patio so to enjoy every variety of flower, vegetable or herb for cooking or medicinal purposes.  Derick's mom and Premila take wonderful care of these plants as you see Amma's yellow sunflower on her terrace looking out. This blue and white bowl is my attempt to re-create these beautiful Indian water arrangements.  We all love flowers!!!

From India we return to Jacksonville and later Saint Augustine as we move in June.  With the help of a friend, I start a flower ministry at church for the sick, hurting, or anyone needing cheering up or encouraging.  What a joy to cheer so many dear ones and use my gifts and passion for flowers.  Enjoy the rest of these shots!

  I heard it once said that when God created the world, He laughed in flowers.  I believe it and am the richer for it.  Thank you for laughing too!!  I'll see you in 2013 in the next post!

Hope

There are little signs:

Pursed lips

Words cut short

Standing aloof

Age old pity party

My perception of a scarred relationship

Is really a sickness

Carving out my loved ones personality

My heart is turning crisp

Like dry leaves

I'm looking for hope

A sign

Does he still love me?

I'm sitting in front of the computer screen

My back to him

Across the room

The unexpected starts

HOPE

Lingering light in the distance

I want to stiffen

But I feel icicles

Dropping from my heart

The guitar is lightly plucking

It's my song

The song I wish someone

Would ask me to sing

at Church for Christmas

He asks me to sing

I walk over to him

Each step an unshackling

I swallow the lump in my throat

Hold back tears

I sing

It's pitched high

I am like a schoolboy choir

I have only sung the 1st and last

stanzas before.

"O Holy Night..."

"Surely He taught us..."

The 2nd stanza

New to me

Suprisingly sweet

What I need to hear,

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

I lay my weapons down

I humbly say "thanks"

to the God of Relationship

With HOPE in my heart

I accept this.

I accept Him.