In the poem "Summer Day", Mary Oliver asks you:
"what is it you plan to do with your
one wild and precious life?"
What is your answer?
"what is it you plan to do with your
one wild and precious life?"
What is your answer?
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Love Springs Eternal
Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity. ~Terri Guillemets
Friday, August 24, 2012
Show A Little Kindness
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Borrowed Time
Debtors
They used to say we're living on borrowed
time but even when young I wondered
who loaned it to us? In 1948 one grandpa
died stretched tight in a misty oxygen tent,
his four sons gathered, his papery hand
grasping mine. Only a week before, we were fishing.
Now the four sons have all run out of borrowed time
while I'm alive wondering whom I owe
for this indisputable gift of existence.
Of course time is running out. It always
has been a creek heading east, the freight
of water with its surprising heaviness
following the slant of the land, its destiny.
What is lovelier than a creek or riverine thicket?
Say it is an unknown benefactor who gave us
birds and Mozart, the mystery of trees and water
and all living things borrowing time.
Would I still love the creek if I lasted forever?
time but even when young I wondered
who loaned it to us? In 1948 one grandpa
died stretched tight in a misty oxygen tent,
his four sons gathered, his papery hand
grasping mine. Only a week before, we were fishing.
Now the four sons have all run out of borrowed time
while I'm alive wondering whom I owe
for this indisputable gift of existence.
Of course time is running out. It always
has been a creek heading east, the freight
of water with its surprising heaviness
following the slant of the land, its destiny.
What is lovelier than a creek or riverine thicket?
Say it is an unknown benefactor who gave us
birds and Mozart, the mystery of trees and water
and all living things borrowing time.
Would I still love the creek if I lasted forever?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
2 Dead Sparrows in 2 Days at My House
Yesterday I found a dead sparrow on my basement landing. I was grossed out and so sad about this poor little bird's demise. No doubt brought in by one of my cats. Then, this morning, I discovered a second dead sparrow right on my front walk leading to the front door. My heart sank.
So, I looked up meanings for dead sparrows and found that it could mean
someone close to my died recently which is true---my friend, Helen, just passed away too soon at age 61 of stomach cancer. I am bereft.
Here's what else I found:
Some keywords/symbolic Sparrow meaning s include:
Sparrows derive power and protection from their numbers. Always in a clan, they move in clusters, eat in clusters, and are always content as such. This can be quite intimidating to some would-be predators. Safety in numbers is a lesson the Sparrow has to share with us.
The Sparrow is ever vigilant in her goals. She is always bustling for her food, foraging for her nests, and gathering for her young. Fastidious and productive, the Sparrow is a reminder that idle hands (and idle minds) should be avoided in order to live a full, healthy life.
She is a master of flight, and camouflage, and as such the Sparrow teaches us to use our creativity to get around in life - think outside the box, and be creative in solving our problems.
As an bird totem, the Sparrow speaks of higher thoughts and ideals. She beckons us to keep our burdens as light as we can in order to avoid a heavy heart.
In closing, I can’t wrap up this brief piece on the Sparrow meaning without making mention of the traditional hymn “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.” The tune always runs through my head when I ponder the Sparrow and all her gifts. Here is a paraphrase of the song:
No matter what your spiritual affiliation, this hymn offers a fitting partnership to the symbolism of the Sparrow. The core message reminds us that there is safe-keeping, bounty and beauty for even the tiniest of creations. Ergo, there is ample supply of spiritual abundance for us too.
So, I looked up meanings for dead sparrows and found that it could mean
someone close to my died recently which is true---my friend, Helen, just passed away too soon at age 61 of stomach cancer. I am bereft.
Here's what else I found:
Some keywords/symbolic Sparrow meaning s include:
- Joy
- Inclusion
- Creativity
- Simplicity
- Protection
- Community
- Productivity
- Friendliness
Sparrows derive power and protection from their numbers. Always in a clan, they move in clusters, eat in clusters, and are always content as such. This can be quite intimidating to some would-be predators. Safety in numbers is a lesson the Sparrow has to share with us.
The Sparrow is ever vigilant in her goals. She is always bustling for her food, foraging for her nests, and gathering for her young. Fastidious and productive, the Sparrow is a reminder that idle hands (and idle minds) should be avoided in order to live a full, healthy life.
She is a master of flight, and camouflage, and as such the Sparrow teaches us to use our creativity to get around in life - think outside the box, and be creative in solving our problems.
As an bird totem, the Sparrow speaks of higher thoughts and ideals. She beckons us to keep our burdens as light as we can in order to avoid a heavy heart.
In closing, I can’t wrap up this brief piece on the Sparrow meaning without making mention of the traditional hymn “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.” The tune always runs through my head when I ponder the Sparrow and all her gifts. Here is a paraphrase of the song:
“Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely When I know with Source I am One? I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, The Eye of Source is on the Sparrow, I know Source watches over me.”
No matter what your spiritual affiliation, this hymn offers a fitting partnership to the symbolism of the Sparrow. The core message reminds us that there is safe-keeping, bounty and beauty for even the tiniest of creations. Ergo, there is ample supply of spiritual abundance for us too.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sharing is Caring
Half the pleasure of solitude comes from having with us
some friend to whom we can say how sweet solitude is.
William Jay
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Thoughts About Helen
Good Morning, B,
Just a few more thoughts about the healing circle. . .
As I mentioned in my phone message, there were
about 15 folks there including Laz, whom I sat next to.
People were crying, on and off, including Laz. It was
both joyful and sad. Sometimes we laughed, other times
we cried. Everyone shared memories of Helen.
Laz told what it was like the last week of life for her.
She'd had stomach pains for about 2 weeks and went to
the doctor for blood tests. The Tuesday before she died,
they were in bed at 10:30 PM when the phone rang. It was
her doctor (what Dr. calls someone at 10:30 PM, I thought?)
saying her blood tests showed elevated levels and that they
should go to the ER immediately. So, they did.
It was all downhill from there. (Figures). She couldn't
eat, grew weaker and, by Sunday, she slipped into a coma
and died. (Ma almost did, too!) Laz said he saw her on
Saturday and told her she was dying. He said she lost so
much weight (of course, she wasn't eating, and they obviously
weren't feeding her intraveiniously)
He said she told him to never give up and wouldn't agree
with him that she was going. It sounds like the hospital
just "let her go". Laz said they were giving her pain killers
(but no food) that's the drill, it seems, in hospitals. Not good.
Laz said they met at the University of Rochester. Wonder if
they're both from NY? She was 61 (going on 62 in Oct) and
he's a year older. She was Phi Beta Kappa at college and very
creative---could play the flute, taught herself Spanish in her 50's,
made pottery, sewed her wedding gown and his vest to match,
loved animals, always took ants or bees or flies out rather than
smack them, and had a variety of friends. Very kind-hearted,
warm, gracious and tenacious woman. That was Helen.
She will be deeply missed.
Luv,
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