feels like home...

to be able to bottle the feeling, or weave it into the softest fabric, could make one

a very wealthy soul...

this feeling of Home.. home...

the floor plan you know with your eyes closed that comes in handy

when the power goes out on a stormy December evening...

it's that one floorboard you know to miss so as to not wake the household with it's

thunderous creak and you tread it's length...

 

it's the sound of the crackle in the fireplace, the shimmering reflection

catapulted onto the ceiling, dancing shadow and sparkle...

it's that lingering last note of perfume or cologne that quickens

the heartbeat as you remember the wearers visit...

it's the comfort of walls and shelter that cradle your body, mind and spirit,

especially when the world outside is sharpening her claws

for her next onslaught of life...

it's the comfort and safety when the last thing you feel like doing,

is facing another day alone...

more than just a collection of things and stacks of stuff,

it's a haven, a harbour, a sanctuary...

it holds the gatherings, the stillness, the dreams and hopes,

and fits like an old worn pair of shoes...

space to be who you are, in the best circumstances, with no judgements,

authentic and present You...

 

so elemental in essence, sheltering and safe,

an essential blend of who and what and where I want to be...

what it feels like, that intangible almost indescribable shangri-la,

 all encompassing spirit fulfilling

place to be comforted and peaceful and blessed...

feels like home... feels like the sweetest symphony,

treasured like the most exquisite pearl...

feels like home...

summer's portrait...

we are losing you... again, feels too soon..

losing your soft rays and sounds and smells,

your departure signals the end of this years romance

the end of this years dance..

 

as your vibrant green and golden hues give way to shades of red and brown,

we mourn the loss of endless sun filled skies and we prepare,

we prepare for grey mist and grey wind,

grey skies and pale grey faces braced against the coming storms...

we are losing you...

 

soon you will be but a memory against a Fall sky,

a memory of warm breezes and brief summer rain...

so quickly replaced by drizzle and fog which will paint the landscape

in tones of melancholy dreams,

wafting notes of hot chocolate and crackling fireplaces

replacing the breaking of ocean waves on hot sandy shore...

 

if I could put my arms around you and feel your sweet touch,

even if just for a fleeting moment,

searing your presence into memory,

memories to be unfurled against the moisture soaked, wind driven torrents

of Autumn's arrival...

 

a tinge of sadness at your departure, a loss at your moving on,

even with the knowledge that you are not gone forever...

for nothing in this life stands eternally still, and the movements of the seasons

gives us pause to reflect and refine, rediscover and resign ourselves

to your age old journey...

 

till we greet each other again, till we bask in each others glowing beauty,

I shall hold fast to your images and legacy,

till you unfurl your tools and once again add your brushstrokes

to this awakening canvas,

summer's portrait held in my dreams..

return quickly my friend...

 

illumination...

rows of shimmering sentinels catch my gaze,

shining and throwing flickering golden shadow...

those yet to be chosen sit in rapt silence,

watching others live out their purpose...

some burn for memories of loved ones,

others for prayers waiting to be answered...

the soft glow warms the faces of those who stop,

watching the flames for one purpose or another... 

each cup holding the words or prayers

of someone searching or trusting the essence of the universe...

words spoken deep and soulful in silence,

emotions stirred and heartfelt for someone

known only to the heart of the visitor...

others lit in thankful appreciation of questions answered,

lit in praise and worship for life's journey...

match struck and wick ignited in celebration,

celebration of the deepest joy...

illumination of spirit and soul,

the casting away of darkness and despair...

illumination of the path forward,

on to Grace and blessings abundant...

stop and watch them, feel their sparkling deep inside,

let the noise of life's background slip away,

allow them to comfort you as in a mother's arms,

let them show you the way,

embrace this illumination...

our stewardship...

We are all blessed with gifts from God, and we are asked to bring those gifts to His table as part of one woven human tapestry. Each blessed strand interlocked and supportive of the other, a blend of colour and texture, strength and softness. Youth and age, fresh eyes and time worn hands embracing the work that needs to be done. Some work in the forefront leading the way, while others with busy hands work in the background, shining in their supportive role. Each of us has been rewarded with different skills in which we can excel and contribute.  The blending of our glorious gifts unites us into the loved filled community we have become thanks to the teachings of our Father. Just as the wing of a bird cannot soar on its own, neither can any single one of us carry the weight of this faith community as our own measure.  

If you have time, give of it freely when you can, if you have learned then you must teach. All of our gifts are valuable if the actions we undertake are guided by our Love for each other and this wondrous place we gather in. Not all of us can be leaders, nor want to be, but each donation of ourselves, in whatever form that takes, builds our strong and enduring foundation, and that is a powerful, tangible presence that can be felt within this Holy place. As we come together to be a representation of the Body of Christ, give thanks for the blessings of each one of us, embrace the gifts that interlock us together, 

see the strengths of your neighbour as complementary to your own, 

and be thankful that we are valuable because we are who we were created to be.

Dear Father, bless our worldly gifts with the touch of Your hand. Let our gifts enhance each other and weave them together into garments of Love and respect for each other. 

Amen.

angels in our shadows...

in our shadows, live the angels of our lives, ever watching, ever protecting...

clinging to our earthly form, echoing our every movement...

they silently watch and pray that our journeys be made

without impediment and with godspeed...

ethereal and other worldly they walk our paths

casting no shadow themselves, only inhabiting the outline of our own...

praying for our comforts, lighting our dreams with golden hues,

angels in our shadows, silent sentinels...

just over a shoulder, they exist, ready with a word of wisdom

or comfort... if we take the time to listen...

hear them speak, hear them sing...

angels in our shadows...

iconic majesty...

her white sails reach for the crisp blue sky,

surrounded by cool waters and rising mountain peaks

her majestic form echoes their shapes..

towering white pillars mimic the coastal forests with their pine trunks 

reaching for the stars, unmoved by the west coast winds

that shape the rocky shores...

a glimpse of form through bent branches reveals the strength

and majesty... 

to soar upwards firmly anchored but free... 

across the horizon, more peaks glint and shine,

shadow and reflection... climb with me to the point where 

the entire landscape can be seen...

a tightrope act of beauty, shape, curve and form,

and glimpse of blue through the sails inner surface 

firm anchors hold her sails fast and tall,

fabric taught and molded into her iconic shape...

she stands proudly in the harbour, a welcoming lady,

greeting sailors and passersby with a welcoming smile...

her promenades fill with walkers, photographers, visitors wanting her picture,

sharing a moment and creating a memory of their visit to her home...

she greets all with the same hospitality, regardless of creed or colour,

orientation or mother tongue, nationality or faith, families or couples, 

and of course glassy eyed lovers...

all are welcome in this place...

(A Canadian Icon, Canada Place, Vancouver BC, Canada, http://www.canadaplace.ca/ )

thankfuls...

I see my fellow bloggers write about what they are grateful/thankful for on a regular basis,

I have yet in 80 posts on my "still adolescent blog" compared to some I follow,

to do the same... until now

so post "81"

my "Thankfuls"

• for my creative but not artistic abilities and the opportunity to share them
• for the loved ones in my life who outnumber the enemies a "billion" to one
• for the one in a billion enemies who keep my loved ones on their toes...
• for you who read my posts, and allowing them to touch you as they do me
• for my 4 legged fur kids who provide laughter and unconditional love
• for my ability to have become who I am... despite my beginnings
• for humility...

• for the amazing world that we live in and the symphonys' it performs on a daily basis
• for a spiritual Holy presence that wraps each of my footsteps with a solid foundation
• for my faith community who welcomed me in as I am... completely
• for the moments of "plugged in - ness" where the words come faster than the fingers can type
• for abundance
• for those I can lean on and who will carry the load when I cannot

• for the sun that shines in my soul, even when the rain clouds obscure the sky
• for laughter and the ability to see that gift on others faces
• for those who champion a cause at any cost, so that others may be free from oppression

for all of this and more, I am thankful... 

thankful that today was another I was blessed to be here in this place,

and that maybe something I did or something I said, 

touched someone who needed just what I had to offer this day...

may it be so....

blue...

it's just a blue day...

the end of summer drawing near,

the crisp damp of morning air

replacing the dry days of early summer...

 

soon the texture of the landscape will begin its transformation into Fall,

changing colours heralded by the appearance of the first

southbound flocks of geese...

Autumn hues will soon scar the horizon, as the vibrant tones of Summer

retire for another year...

 

the days grow shorter, the warm rays of sunshine less intense,

a natural progression of the order of life...

 

a time for greetings to be interspersed with goodbyes,

a return to school and schedule, the onward push towards

the hustle and bustle of another year end...

 

all just a little bit blue...