Bud to Flower

I found this bush on a golf course yesterday.
No, I wasn't golfing...just wandering...
and there were blooms {on the same bush} in all different stages -
tight little buds
and wide open, reaching flowers.
It made me happy to see that all the blooming's not finished around here quite yet!

We Need to Hear their Voices

I'm learning to carve out TIME for me ~ for my walks.

TIME to be quiet, to move, to think and pray.

TIME to breathe in fresh air.

Whether I'm walking the SIDEWALKS in town,

or paths in the woods,

there is always beauty to be found.

Light, shadow, sun, rain....

or a puddle pretending to be a MIRROR.

My camera lens takes me places I can't reach on foot.

CLOSE UP to branches, buds and blooms.

And helps me to capture the one thing that has, perhaps,

been the most INSPIRING part of my life.

Motherhood.

"Pausing to listen to an airplane in the sky, 

stooping to watch a ladybug on a plant, 

sitting on a rock to watch the waves crash over the quayside

 - children have their own agendas and timescales. 

As they find out more about their world and their place in it,

 they work hard not to let adults hurry them.

We need to hear their voices."

Cathy Nutbrown

Until my kids have their own kids,

they'll never know how much of a difference they've made in my life.

What a joy, honor and blessing it is to be called

Mom.

Their Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

joining Tabitha for Sunday Citar

joining Ashley for Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Treasures

Bring me little trinkets, precious children...

Tin cans become treasures as your
tiny hands craft these special gifts.

mommy, mommy! happy mother's day, mommy!

Treasures more precious to me now
than they were when I first
saw them... some twenty-or-so years ago....

Linking up with my six word friends
at Melissa's place.
Our word this week? BRING

Mama Swan {Bigger Picture Moment}

Little baby turns away,
starts to swim off
and mama is ready.
Watching.
Oh so attentive. All her senses on high alert.
She's ready to spread that wing and pull her baby back to the fold.
Instinct.
Maternal instinct.
Turn around little one.
This way.
Stay close to mama.

Little toddler turns away,
starts to wander off
but mama's ready.
Watching.
Oh so attentive. She needs extra hands to carry and catch.
Still able to spread her arms and pull the wanderer back to her embrace.
Instinct.
Maternal instinct.
Be careful little one.
Try this.
But stay close to mama.

A young child flies away,
starts off into the world,
and mama's just not ready.
Still watching.
And attentive. She listens and learns and listens some more,
her arms growing stronger with each hug, each tug - stretching ever wider.
Instinct? Not so sure...
Maternal? Absolutely.
Keep learning little one.
Eyes open. Heart open.
Don't venture too far from mama.

That teenager slips away,
playing around with the world,
and no one's ready for it.
Trying not to watch.
Staying oh so attentive. Looking for clues, catching moments, glimpses.
Mama's arms grow tired from the pulling. Weary from catching the fallen.
Nothing instinctual about this.
Maternal heart still pounding its rhythms.
Be safe little one.
Pay attention. Choose well.
Don't stay out too late....

Once grown, you step away,
making a place in the world,
and mama is ready.
Watching.
Oh so amazed! There's really nothing like it!
It's time to let you spread your wings and soar...
Time to fight that instinct
and let you go.
Be happy little one.
Live well.
And stay close to mama.




This week's link up at
This Heavenly Live

Nothin' Much

Rainy days {often} get me down.
And we've had our share!
It's not really the blues.
Just the blahs.

I'm ready for flip flops.
Pedicures.
No coats.
Capris.
Open windows.
And lots of sunshine!

Weatherman is saying there will be a few more dreary days.
Messy commutes.
Cooler temps.
Indoor projects.

Naps?
Yeah, that's all I got.

Baby Swans!

Yesterday afternoon I went to check on "my" nesting swan. And - lo and behold - the babies had hatched!

Before I got near enough to see what was going on, I heard the geese and the swans squawking loudly back and forth. There were fluttering wings and there was whooshing water. The geese were trying to get near the babies...and 'daddy' swan was hissing and flapping and chasing them off. He protected the perimeter, so 'mama' swan and the seven babies could swim away from the nest.

I spent about half an hour climbing through the twigs and weeds at the edge of the pond, stalking the little family and taking photos. Other than the occasional thorn, I enjoyed every minute of it!

It was great to be out enjoying the pond on a bright, sunny day.

Blessing

"May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.

May the soft winds freshen your spirit.

May the sunshine brighten your heart.

May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you,

and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love."

Irish Blessing


Planning to drink up my blessings
as the earth has been drinking up the rain.

Joining Tabitha to share quotes

at

Fresh Mommy Blog