L U S H

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Lush…the one word which sounds as rich as its meaning. “Lussshhh”…growing luxuriantly. Also, very rich and providing great sensory pleasure.

With relentless pressing, Spring births the effulgent offering of natural drama. A drama which never gets old, but actually becomes more precious with time. As I witness the scintillating wonder of new growth, from seed-to-leaf or sprig-to-flower, I am easily transported to the simple discoveries I made as a child.

Never without a question, I always wanted to (and still do) know “Why is this…?” or “What’s that for?”. No longer a child, I wonder if my curiosity is morphing into apathy. I quickly respond that I am still amazed at “all things bright and beautiful”, as James Harriot noted in the title of one of his books. Therefore, I am happy to announce that my spirit is not being quenched with age nor will it ever be. I concede that the body will break down and the mind may suffer attrition, but the spirit, the soul, will not be rendered obsolete. And, it should never be treated as such (applies to all people).

Kauffman Memorial Garden, Kansas City, MO

Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” transforms a composition of orchestral music into a sensual masterpiece. Each season is represented by a unique and sublime expression from every instrument the great composer has under his direction. The result is mesmerizing as the listener is taken on a journey through time. I liken nature’s annual rhythms with man’s breadth of life, just as Vivaldi correlated music with the four seasons. The final season being just as marvelous as the first.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Slow Burn

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Fire is such an amazing thing to watch…it is almost mesmerizing. The way flames dance and embers burn red hot is exciting to view. The heat generated from fire warms the body while the light illuminates the darkness. Even the crackling of moist wood has a surreal effect upon the soul.

I entitled this post “Slow Burn” for a reason.

Too often we run to conclusions, race to say things we will regret, boil over with anger over big or little matters, become defensive when we take words said innocently but deemed hurtful, react to situations negatively without thinking things through, succumb to bad peer pressure, seek revenge over trivial stuff, and the list goes on and on.

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The “Slow Burn” is just the opposite when it comes to how we react to life’s situations. I’ll be the first to admit that life can dish out a lot of painful garbage. I will also admit that watching a lazy fire burn is soothing to the soul.

It calms the nerves. It makes us forget, at least momentarily, that life isn’t so bad after-all. Relaxation sets in and the cares of this life just burn away with each flicker of flame. The warmth produced burrows deep within and holds us fast to what is good and right. Fires can rage, but eventually they diminish and extinguish. Our lives are like that, too.

Wouldn’t we rather live in the state in between where the fire burns slow and the embers are hot? Where blame has no room and guilt has long melted away? Revenge is dropped and egos fall apart among the glow? That is how I want to live. And, you?

Leader of the Band

In America we celebrate things such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and many more. This Sunday we will be celebrating Father’s Day. It is a time of family gatherings, visiting parents and grandparents or simply doing something nice for dad.

I have thought quite a bit about this year’s Father’s Day, probably due to the fact that Cheryl lost her father in January, and a brother (who is a dad) last year. I lost my Father thirty-three years ago, yet I still miss him. Also, friends of ours just lost their dad to cancer. So, it really doesn’t surprise me that this particular Father’s Day has impacted me. I was going to write a tribute to fathers, but recalled a song which has always resonated with me. I hope it does for you, as well. The lyrics are below, but I also encourage you to listen to this song via YouTube or other audio/visual website; it is soothing and thought provoking.

The singer/songwriter is Dan Fogelberg. He wrote and recorded this song in 1981 as a tribute to his father who died the following year. I dedicate this song to all good fathers- alive, fallen or off to war. And for the many souls who have never known a father or who may have had one who was mean-spirited or only there in form, uninvolved. Bless you, and may you find someone who will be a father to you. And most importantly, we have a loving Father above. Look to Him.

Leader of the Band

An only child, alone and wild, a cabinet maker’s son, his hands were meant for different work and his heart was known to none. He left his home and went his lone and solitary way, and he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay.

A quite man of music, denied a simpler fate, he tried to be a soldier once but his music wouldn’t wait. He earned his love through discipline, a thund’ring, velvet hand. His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand.

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old, but blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band.

My brother’s lives were different, for they heard another call. One went to Chicago and the other to Saint Paul. And I’m in Colorado, when not in some hotel, living out this life I’ve chosen, come to know so well.

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road. I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go. I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough. And, papa, I don’t think I said “I love you” near enough.

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old, but his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band…I am the living legacy to the leader of the band.

 

Quote & Pic of the Day, No. 19 of 24

 

This is Elliot Michael, our grandson. He is eighteen months young, and is a very special boy. Elliot will share his family with a sibling come September !                   3-8-15 014” When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. ”                       Jean Shinoda Bolen