Watching and Reflecting
It's already been a crazy summer and I have found myself neglecting writing. Some of it is because I am experiencing some raw emotions and when I write them down they feel all too real. Some of it is because I have been swallowed (mostly in very good ways) with work tasks and projects. Some of it is just not using my time wisely. And, some of it is trying to get out and enjoy sunshine and warm weather and breathe it in while it is here. The breathing it in part is difficult lately as we are surrounded with forest fires and smoke and ash.
We have birds that decided that our front bushes would be the best place to build a nest. They have been relentless in their protection, even hitting me in the head once when I was in the driveway. I've been annoyed. I've been angry. I've told my husband we're pulling those bushes out this fall. This morning there was a lot of cackling going on outside my living room window and I looked and there were two babies on a branch. The parents were coaxing them, introducing them to the world and hoping they'd fly. They were lazily sitting on the branch taking it all in. I was able to capture a picture with my zoom lens. They are still fuzzy and, with grey tufts of feathers on their head, they look a little like old men. It was my own little miracle this morning. It made me reflect on silver linings and parenting and growing and change and flying and stretching our wings. It represented so many metaphors for life.
My own baby is leaving a branch today. She's headed out on a life on her own for the first time. I'm not there to coach her, I watch from afar. I shower her new journey with a mother's love, wishes, and prayers. I hope she spreads her wings and flies, soaring high to all she's meant to be. I hope her new life and new nest bring all she hopes and doesn't realize she deserves. I hope she finds grace and peace.
My other baby returned to my nest for a bit and is sitting on a branch charting a new course. His dad does his share of cackling but Mom enjoys seeing him and having him around a bit longer before he, too, adventures off to far away lands and new adventures. It seems he has found love and that will tend to turn one's life upside down. I hope he, too, finds direction and grace and peace as he flutters away a final time.
It seems that our old friend Cancer has decided to visit us again. That's one guest I'd happily kick out of our nest. But, he's back and we don't know for how long or what he will bring this time. Right now we're in the questions without answers waiting mode. It's familiar to us. I don't know enough to be scared at this point. I'm annoyed. Really annoyed. Cancer is a dive bombing-hit me in the head-type of bird. But, even dive bombing birds demonstrate a miracle underneath the surface. This round will not be any different than any of the others over the past ten years. It will have its ups and downs and it will bring its miracles along with struggles. It's an opportunity for growth and love and hope and faith.
Wyoming Writing Project is planning some professional development and a retreat this summer in Gillette and Powell. A retreat could not come at a better time. Those who have been trained and serve in leadership will gather and share and write and live life together for three days. We'll catch our breath, reflect on what has been and plan for what is to come. I treasure this writing family we've built and look forward to being with them and with teachers around the state celebrating writing and how writing intertwines with life and how it is all meant to be shared through connection with those around us.
Well, I've got to fly...
We have birds that decided that our front bushes would be the best place to build a nest. They have been relentless in their protection, even hitting me in the head once when I was in the driveway. I've been annoyed. I've been angry. I've told my husband we're pulling those bushes out this fall. This morning there was a lot of cackling going on outside my living room window and I looked and there were two babies on a branch. The parents were coaxing them, introducing them to the world and hoping they'd fly. They were lazily sitting on the branch taking it all in. I was able to capture a picture with my zoom lens. They are still fuzzy and, with grey tufts of feathers on their head, they look a little like old men. It was my own little miracle this morning. It made me reflect on silver linings and parenting and growing and change and flying and stretching our wings. It represented so many metaphors for life.
My own baby is leaving a branch today. She's headed out on a life on her own for the first time. I'm not there to coach her, I watch from afar. I shower her new journey with a mother's love, wishes, and prayers. I hope she spreads her wings and flies, soaring high to all she's meant to be. I hope her new life and new nest bring all she hopes and doesn't realize she deserves. I hope she finds grace and peace.
My other baby returned to my nest for a bit and is sitting on a branch charting a new course. His dad does his share of cackling but Mom enjoys seeing him and having him around a bit longer before he, too, adventures off to far away lands and new adventures. It seems he has found love and that will tend to turn one's life upside down. I hope he, too, finds direction and grace and peace as he flutters away a final time.
It seems that our old friend Cancer has decided to visit us again. That's one guest I'd happily kick out of our nest. But, he's back and we don't know for how long or what he will bring this time. Right now we're in the questions without answers waiting mode. It's familiar to us. I don't know enough to be scared at this point. I'm annoyed. Really annoyed. Cancer is a dive bombing-hit me in the head-type of bird. But, even dive bombing birds demonstrate a miracle underneath the surface. This round will not be any different than any of the others over the past ten years. It will have its ups and downs and it will bring its miracles along with struggles. It's an opportunity for growth and love and hope and faith.
Wyoming Writing Project is planning some professional development and a retreat this summer in Gillette and Powell. A retreat could not come at a better time. Those who have been trained and serve in leadership will gather and share and write and live life together for three days. We'll catch our breath, reflect on what has been and plan for what is to come. I treasure this writing family we've built and look forward to being with them and with teachers around the state celebrating writing and how writing intertwines with life and how it is all meant to be shared through connection with those around us.
Well, I've got to fly...
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