Daddy
At the end of a home cooked meal
When Mommy would ask
If he wanted something more
Would say
I’m full up to here
And put his hand well above his head
Always smiling
Always grateful
At the end of this year
This year of 65
Ah yes, Medicare’s arrival as
A birthday gift last year
At the end of this year
This first year of no salary
On which to depend
And from which to spend
At the end of this year
This first year of freedom
This first year of my own
Adventure
A year of figuring it out
This creation of a business
I am calling by my own name
At the end of this year
This year of beautiful, rich
Courses
Books
Writing connections
Solitude
Even being insular
Of sabbatical
This year of exponential
Growth
Spiritual
Personal
Emotional
Intellectual
Physical (yes, a little I am
Now un-growing!)
This year of saying no
And saying yes
This year of
Challenges bigger
Than the biggest boulders
I could not see around
Interior
And
Exterior
Tears streaming
Of huge questions
Sometimes answers
Sometimes not
Or not yet
This year of
Surprises
Delights
Gifts
That surprised
A spectacular potpourri
A magnificent mix
I could never have anticipated
Or
Predicted
Certainly never designed
This year
Ending
I am
As Daddy
Smiling
Hand well above my head
Over my heart
Connected to my soul
Dancing
I shout the words
FULL UP TO HERE!
Tomorrow
At 4:39 AM
I will
Open my
Heart
Head
Body
And
Soul
To a
Next year
Of
Anticipation
Action
Mystery
Surprise
Immense beauty
Of all kinds
And
Deep joy
In the ordinary
Simple
Reflective
Moments
Kairos time
Daddy also said
Patting the chair next to him
As he sat by the barn
One day
Come
Sit down by me
You do not
Have to be
Doing something
All the time
7 Comments. Leave new
Incredibly and perfectly put! I feel, hear, and see those words almost daily!!! My father said, “everything will be ok.” Sometimes I question that, but knowing that he knew almost everything (or so I thought) I am ok!!! Sending love for this and many of your other pieces.
Oh how I relate to this piece The words resonate with everything I feel, hear and see in my daily life. My father would say that “everything will be okay.” Some days he was right, while other days he was terribly wrong. Congratulations on completing your first year. How wonderful to have had so many new and older adventures. Wishing you many more!? Love, Terri
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I am grateful that our parents often said things that somehow made us feel secure in the moment, knowing that there would be times when we would have to go through our own process of figuring life out…the model of yours and my dad’s optimism does stand the test of time. Your father’s words and my father’s words gave a grounding, which, even when they don’t feel resonant in the moment, still hold some echo of truth, often senses even by a mere thread much later. So grateful for our friendship which has taken us to these amazing years! Sending lots of love back!
Beautiful Dawn! Congratulations on the closure of your first year and the opening to the next! Big love and hugs!
Thank you, Tara. The dragonfly continues to land on some beautiful pieces of life! Watch out for next year when the lioness takes charge! Big love and hugs back!
Spectacular!
Thanks for sharing… again and again.
You are truly a special spirit and I cherish knowing you.
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie…I am so grateful that you read my posts…and that I know you, too! Miss those early morning conversations! Maybe I should call at 6:30 AM someday!