A collage of fabric woven together, each distinct pattern a vital part of the whole. Some span across to the distant corners bordering the quilted edges.

There are patches that may never closely connect, regardless together they share this space, holding steady. Perhaps one or two are rough around the edges, the wool from the black sheep? Towards the center, the fabric yields to meet each side of the whole.

It is knitted together by the thin thread of life, held together by the resolute stitch of love. The patterns of the past, the designs of today and the illuminating colors of the future are bonded together within this quilt. This is the warmth, the comfort of family.

What is vulnerability but the courageous act of bearing the light of your soul in the darkness so that others may see?

The gift of life; a beautifully disguised Pandora’s box.

 

Along the way, it may become soiled and torn. It may even lose its form.

 

It may become tarnished …indiscernible, incomprehensible. The crescent bow taunting, memories haunting.

 

Clenching hands that try to hold it, fumbling fingers that try to mold it.

 

The gift is in receiving it…in claiming it, crappy wrapping and all.

There is a firefly, it lives in the brush; it never requests a single thing from us.

Yes, just a winged beetle it may be, but it represents so much more to me.

Glimpses of its flashing light, this winged beetle displays in flight.

Indeed, nature unselfishly gives this glowing dance that illuminates the night.

~Beauty, Beyond Skin Deep~

The beauty of loving the skin you are in, no matter how thin it has been.

The beauty of holding your head up high, even when you want to cry.

The beauty of knowing when to say “No”, even if others do not think so.

The beauty of catching a glimpse of birds in flight or of welcoming the rising sun, waiting patiently for more to come.

The beauty of cultivating a loving heart & mind, always striving to be kind.

The beauty of adoring your family’s laughter & not for one second caring what comes after.

The beauty of aiming to be part of this world with a story to be told.

The beauty of forgiving because in the end, is it really not worth living?

The beauty of knowing at the end of the day, it really will be O.K.

The beauty of holding out for one last dance while you still have a chance.

The beauty and honor of being a Mother or of creating a life that gives selflessly to others.

The beauty of embracing who you are while wishing on a star.

Yes, I can appreciate all kinds of beauty but especially when it defines us truly.

~The World to Me~

Above, where the clouds effortlessly drift and the blossoming sky greets the sea; that is what you mean to me.

Just as the sun warms the coarse sand and the echoing rain coats the fertile land; you offered to me a steady hand.

As the earth below welcomes the grasping roots of a flower and the royal moon above reigns the star light hours; you loved me as if I was yours.

On this day and those yet to come; I will forever appreciate all that you have done.

As from my heart, these words that I write are a mere reflection of the life & of the love within me. As simple or absurd as they may seem to thee, they are all but the life within me. So, as they beseech due kindness, respect & understanding; may these all be granted onto me.

These hands have stroked soft, warm coats of fur. They have played & they have colored. They have climbed, splashed & counted. While even before they grasped, shook & crawled.

These hands have torn, ripped & peeled. They have cracked, dipped & shaken an abundance of flavors.

These hands have balanced, arched & gracefully pointed; providing the body direction & graceful expression.

These hands have dug, built & sifted sand along the shore. They have pocked & carried the beauty discovered in oceans, lakes & streams.

These hands have held, massaged & supported thousands of woman as they brought forth more.

These hands have cradled, patted & swung her own children & more.

These hands have clapped, waved & risen in bleaches, at tables, on dance floors and more.

These hands have shaken, dampened & clenched in those times they were extremely unsure.

These hands have hugged, wiped, and pulled. They have sorted, cut & carried. They have written, typed & tied. They have folded, cleaned & scraped.

These hands have extended to welcomed life & they have closed in prayer to mourn death. They have fed, cleaned & comforted those who could not anymore.

These hands have demonstrated & instructed skills, techniques and more.

These hands represent my life, my gift to share, and will explore the world forevermore.

A genuine moment that catches you.

The realization that in all the shenanigans of existence, you were meant to be just where you are with those that willingly share each day with you.

The space beyond the enticement of insignificant worldly creations. Even more, a moment that escapes the teasing hum of time effortlessly drifting away.

That place ~ where love alone can take you and where life alone could never fake you.

There are moments when teaching is swimming against the current during high tide.

Hands hampered by a snarl of slimy seaweed or feet tangled in some sort of unexpected, restricting debris.

Eyes searching for the beacon, the lighthouse you have faith lies within the distance, a journey worth the trials of traveling.

Against the sting of salt in the eyes or the burn of sea water invading your throat, you maintain hope that each deliberate stroke will find you closer.

Hope, for any one of your efforts, may find you near. The burn, the sting, the weight of the ocean on the recesses of your body may subside and allow a shimmer, a mere sparkle, to light.

And, alas! A single stroke may illuminate but one spark~ providing you the reserve necessary to travel the distance to the ideals of life, you have faith continues to radiate beyond. With this, each stroke, aligned with the breaths of your life, keeps within pace; eyes fixated on that glorious illuminating force~ education.