For two weeks in August and three weeks in November I was deployed to Maui as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer with the Red Cross. At the end of each day in Lahaina I drove along the coast back to my lodging. Nearly every day there would be the most brilliant rainbows I'd ever seen in the mountains up from the ocean. It was a reminder to me of love, beauty, and hope in the face of the tragedy of the fires that decimated their community and took 100 lives. It is my wish that the rainbows also touch in a positive way the Lahaina residents who lived through the trauma of the fires. As of last night there are still 4600 folks living in hotels. Rainbows and attending MfW with Maui Friends sustained me.
I love how you encourage people to observe and appreciate the beauty around us from a grand perspective or from a unique vantage point, capturing a sparkling detail. I love how you encourage us to compose pictures that include details from the heart, and colors of emotion that meld into the fabric of our lives. Most of all, I appreciate how you encourage us to reach out to those around us, and extend comfort to those perhaps to shy to speak up. Thank you for demonstrating how to share your heart. We're lucky that you have chosen to share your musical artistry with us.
I am considering how I (we) can love someone, in this case Carrie, I have never met. Loving is more than admiring Carrie’s work in song, poetry and prose even though all of that is touching, inspiring and endearing.
My experience is that my heart opens gladly when my thoughts turn to Carrie and when I hear her voice. I desire whatever is best for her day by day. I wonder what Carrie is about and hope whatever that is it is going well for her. I am so presumptuous as to believe that her contributions to our Gathering of Spirits are lovingly intended to touch my heart along with everyone else’s. I look forward to hearing from Carrie in this context and in her creative work. And I not only know that we are spiritually connected in an academic way, I know her to be family.
None of this needs to make sense to be real. It just is.
I love the sound of waves crashing on the shore. I love walking through the woods in the autumn and hearing the dried leaves crunch under my feet, I love birch trees. I love the smell (and taste) of cardamom - sometimes I just open the spice jar to inhale the beautiful aroma. I love the red rocks of Sedona, AZ. I love fresh raspberries on vanilla ice cream, and the list goes on and on...
I love: my husband Greg; our community of family, both blood and chosen; a neighborhood that is woven together with respect, kindness and humor; the trail we walk everyday and all the wildlife we observe there; the Barred Owl who is often in the upper limbs of the pine tree we pass as we enter the trail, a wonder to see and hear who I have named Bernadette; a journal with empty pages and a pen that feels right in my hand; the feeling of a good rock held firmly; the feeling of paint on my fingers; making music with others....And the opportunity to make this list!
-pancakes in the shape of stars, hearts and random apple shape with maple syrup we bought in New Hampshire when we visited our son and wife and amber-eyed dog, Maddie.
-my sweetheart, we are celebrating our 50th year of marriage, and 52 since we looked across the room and saw stars and rainbows, and made words out of pretzels
-my brothers and sisters and a goofy text thread we chat on with all kinds of nonsense and love
-my dogs....I look forward to the rainbow bridge.....Hannah our first golden retriever mix with a licorice-dipped snout and tail, will bark emphatically to tell me the story of what I've been missing since we parted; and Ginger, a petite goofy golden who would "pray" by putting her head between our knees with ears flopping, and wouldn't move until she was done praying. Miss them both.
-my sons....different, loving, precious, and beloved
-my back yard...muddy and brown for now....but the "beautiful, not yet" is there in the tips of the daffodils, the hidden crocuses in old leaves, the milkweed seeds that are still spilling out and the patch of wild with goldenrod and grasses and whatever comes up each year
-a hike in the woods.... food for the soul, joy to my heart, boots in the dirt, noticing the little bud, or fungus, or pattern in the tree trunk, or just breathing it all in and saying amen
-the first brush stroke of bold watercolor on a waiting blank canvas
the goofy sayings that cycle through our relationship that only we get and laugh about
-a phone call from a friend.....not preplanned .....just hi, I've missed you How you been
-I love the hope of feeling well and working out when I am able
-I love the soar of the blue heron over the small midwestern lake that is sanctuary to me
-I love the challenge of being on a dragon boat team with other breast cancer survivors and we train and work hard....it pushes me to a max that I didn't know I had.
-I love belonging; community, family, friends
-I love being kind
-I love rocks, trees, especially the sycamores in our little neighborhood park (I hug them) and water...streams, creeks, oceans, rivers, rain....
I love writing, painting, and tai ji
-I love poetry/songs/music that inspire, soothe, and challenge....especially Carrie Newcomer (I'm not just sayin' that!).
I love the view from my window; the bird at the feeder; the snow before the plowing; the flowers that greet me unexpectedly; the sparkle in my nail polish; the smell of coffee; friends and family; sunsets on a summer night; becoming one with the water as I begin my swim; my grandson's lingering embrace.
Sharing food, laughter and stories around a full table
Digging in my garden
Watching sunrise and sunset
Basking in the glow of a full moon
Raising my voice in song, alone or especially in community
Rich, dark chocolate with deep, red wine
Playing with my grandsons
Visiting new places to learn about their people, wildlife and history
Returning home to my sanctuary
My wife, Ruth.
My sisters Rita and Therese and all my family.
The creative process, be it writing a novel, a script, or making a film.
My dog, Coco.
Eating homemade apple pie.
Smelling the scent of fresh lemons.
Watching a great movie.
Having an honest, vulnerable conversation.
Reading a great book.
Taking long walks in nature.
Sugar maple trees, birch trees, oak trees, and all kinds of trees.
The lessons of sadness and grief.
The light and the dark and how they work together in wholeness.
For two weeks in August and three weeks in November I was deployed to Maui as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer with the Red Cross. At the end of each day in Lahaina I drove along the coast back to my lodging. Nearly every day there would be the most brilliant rainbows I'd ever seen in the mountains up from the ocean. It was a reminder to me of love, beauty, and hope in the face of the tragedy of the fires that decimated their community and took 100 lives. It is my wish that the rainbows also touch in a positive way the Lahaina residents who lived through the trauma of the fires. As of last night there are still 4600 folks living in hotels. Rainbows and attending MfW with Maui Friends sustained me.
Dogs
birds in flight
butterfly kisses from my young daughters
baby elephants
baby animals
PUPPIES!
a really smooth landing
hugs
laughter
smiles
the quiet times in nature, a burbling brook, lapping water
a deer moving in perfect silence
rays of sunlight through the woods
music
acoustic guitar
piano
a beautiful singing voice
a quiet sigh (like one queued by the mention of Parker Palmer)
My best friend, and love, Don
Our children and their children!
Grace
When God winks, and I am alert enough to notice
1. My beloved husband of 39 years, Mike ❤️
2. Our son Zach and the way his jokes, songs, stories, make me smile
3. Our toy poodle Tobey and the love he’s brought to our home
4. Returning to the church of my youth
5. Restorative yoga
6. Travel to new places
7. Any beach, any where
8. The love of my friends, siblings, and sometimes even strangers
friends who listen to our sorrow and hold us close
I love how you encourage people to observe and appreciate the beauty around us from a grand perspective or from a unique vantage point, capturing a sparkling detail. I love how you encourage us to compose pictures that include details from the heart, and colors of emotion that meld into the fabric of our lives. Most of all, I appreciate how you encourage us to reach out to those around us, and extend comfort to those perhaps to shy to speak up. Thank you for demonstrating how to share your heart. We're lucky that you have chosen to share your musical artistry with us.
I approve of most of your choices. I’d add my church, transparent watercolors, and English Bulldogs. :)
I am considering how I (we) can love someone, in this case Carrie, I have never met. Loving is more than admiring Carrie’s work in song, poetry and prose even though all of that is touching, inspiring and endearing.
My experience is that my heart opens gladly when my thoughts turn to Carrie and when I hear her voice. I desire whatever is best for her day by day. I wonder what Carrie is about and hope whatever that is it is going well for her. I am so presumptuous as to believe that her contributions to our Gathering of Spirits are lovingly intended to touch my heart along with everyone else’s. I look forward to hearing from Carrie in this context and in her creative work. And I not only know that we are spiritually connected in an academic way, I know her to be family.
None of this needs to make sense to be real. It just is.
And I strongly suspect that I am not alone.
I love the sound of waves crashing on the shore. I love walking through the woods in the autumn and hearing the dried leaves crunch under my feet, I love birch trees. I love the smell (and taste) of cardamom - sometimes I just open the spice jar to inhale the beautiful aroma. I love the red rocks of Sedona, AZ. I love fresh raspberries on vanilla ice cream, and the list goes on and on...
Ah yes, the smell of cardamom. I love the image of you just opening the jar occasionally because it smells so fine!
I love: my husband Greg; our community of family, both blood and chosen; a neighborhood that is woven together with respect, kindness and humor; the trail we walk everyday and all the wildlife we observe there; the Barred Owl who is often in the upper limbs of the pine tree we pass as we enter the trail, a wonder to see and hear who I have named Bernadette; a journal with empty pages and a pen that feels right in my hand; the feeling of a good rock held firmly; the feeling of paint on my fingers; making music with others....And the opportunity to make this list!
Nothing like a blank page and good pen….ah yes my writerly friend!
The ocean, the beach, waves, sand-pipers, seagulls, dogs running free;
Mountaintop hikes- walks or ambles these days. I’m blessed to live in the aura of Mt Rainier and Mt Adams;
The healing green of forest glades;
The scent of eucalyptus, the sight of gum trees and wattle;
Flowers in my garden- such a miracle of color and design;
Daffodils- especially hillsides covered with their bobbing heads in Britain;
Children- unabashed, uninhibited, delightful;
Singing with others;
Feeling the Spirit move through music;
Words and thoughts that inspire;
Stars;
My specific loved ones- family and friends;
Doing things with my hands- be it cooking, knitting, card making, photography . I’m not an artist, but I enjoy doing what I can do.
Carrie, we must meet up for soup sometime -- to make it and/or to eat it...
Yes….soup is always better shared my friend.
-pancakes in the shape of stars, hearts and random apple shape with maple syrup we bought in New Hampshire when we visited our son and wife and amber-eyed dog, Maddie.
-my sweetheart, we are celebrating our 50th year of marriage, and 52 since we looked across the room and saw stars and rainbows, and made words out of pretzels
-my brothers and sisters and a goofy text thread we chat on with all kinds of nonsense and love
-my dogs....I look forward to the rainbow bridge.....Hannah our first golden retriever mix with a licorice-dipped snout and tail, will bark emphatically to tell me the story of what I've been missing since we parted; and Ginger, a petite goofy golden who would "pray" by putting her head between our knees with ears flopping, and wouldn't move until she was done praying. Miss them both.
-my sons....different, loving, precious, and beloved
-my back yard...muddy and brown for now....but the "beautiful, not yet" is there in the tips of the daffodils, the hidden crocuses in old leaves, the milkweed seeds that are still spilling out and the patch of wild with goldenrod and grasses and whatever comes up each year
-a hike in the woods.... food for the soul, joy to my heart, boots in the dirt, noticing the little bud, or fungus, or pattern in the tree trunk, or just breathing it all in and saying amen
-the first brush stroke of bold watercolor on a waiting blank canvas
the goofy sayings that cycle through our relationship that only we get and laugh about
-a phone call from a friend.....not preplanned .....just hi, I've missed you How you been
-I love the hope of feeling well and working out when I am able
-I love the soar of the blue heron over the small midwestern lake that is sanctuary to me
-I love the challenge of being on a dragon boat team with other breast cancer survivors and we train and work hard....it pushes me to a max that I didn't know I had.
-I love belonging; community, family, friends
-I love being kind
-I love rocks, trees, especially the sycamores in our little neighborhood park (I hug them) and water...streams, creeks, oceans, rivers, rain....
I love writing, painting, and tai ji
-I love poetry/songs/music that inspire, soothe, and challenge....especially Carrie Newcomer (I'm not just sayin' that!).
Beautiful!
I love the view from my window; the bird at the feeder; the snow before the plowing; the flowers that greet me unexpectedly; the sparkle in my nail polish; the smell of coffee; friends and family; sunsets on a summer night; becoming one with the water as I begin my swim; my grandson's lingering embrace.