Grandsons

by Jacqueline, posted in poetry
My heart skips a beat.

Eyes so bright,

truth-telling unashamedly,

blankets, big doggies, scooters, Octonauts and superheroes.

Boys are silly, crazy, cuddly and fun.

Nana breathes in the joy, life and laughter in moments of sleepovers.

“Let’s build a fort!”

“You are too big!”

Plastic tacos, books, and lots of movies.

How could I have known that being a Nana would be the greatest pleasure in life?

I play, read, snuggle,

I’m exhausted, sore and need rest.

In the middle of this I leave seeds of a legacy unforgotten,

They leave buckets of warmth and love that carry me to the next sleepover.

My life is fuller because of the stories they tell, the slides that are conquered and Saturday morning awakenings.

“Good morning Nana!”
Off we run,
To the next adventure.

Celebrating my son

by Jacqueline, posted in love

Thirty fours years ago I became a mother,

Nineteen and in love with a beautiful boy.

Strawberry blonde hair and pink skin,

My heart opened like a flower basking in the sunshine,

There was a “knowing” as he grew that he was created and formed

Protected, even in his suffering,

To become a beacon to the earth.

A sponge, competitor, kind and empathetic, seeker of knowledge, lover of people,

A powerful drive for more,

Moments of pride in all he has accomplished not because of me,

Often in spite of.

Beautiful boy with blonde hair, hazel eyes that squint when he smiles and laughs,

Prophet,

Carrying a legacy of justice, love, and peace

Like a river it moves through him,

Flowing like hope on all who step into it.

Cleansing the filth of complacency,

Renewing the mind

with Truth.

Beautiful boy, beautiful man.

Celebrating my son!

The love of Nanas

by Jacqueline, posted in Grandchildren

Lazy, busy days

Sharing,

Laughter,

Christmas gifts galore,

Nature walks in the fall,

Gatherings,

The table dressed in its finest,

Teapot and biscuits,

Lots of food,

Being present every moment,

The Love of grandchildren.

—————-

Creating forts,

Fishing and s’mores,

Birthday parties with treasure hunts,

Snuggles,

Reading books and watching movies,

Mother-may-I,

On the floor with sparkling eyes and giggles,

Burps and farts,

Big Doggie, my little pony, Octonauts, Dora the explorer,

Playing at the park, swimming, and hide-and-seek,

Cheering for the first training wheel bike ride,

Kissing boo-boos and unending comfort,

Being present to the little moments,

The love of Grandchildren.

traveling

by Jacqueline, posted in Uncategorized

Psalm 37:34b(NLT)-…”travel steadily along His path.”

What does “steadily” look like?

Firmly placed or fixed

Stable in position or equilibrium

Direct and unfaltering

Sure

Not easily excited or upset

Unwavering, as in purpose

Steadfast

Reliable, dependable

Temperate, sober

Eyes on the Shepherd

Protected

Gaze at Him

Wait

Expectant

Be

Be still

Rest

Walk, one foot in front of the other

Dependent

Follow

Listen

Hear

See

Surrender to His path…

Nature Lessons

by Jacqueline, posted in Uncategorized

Standing and reaching,

Immovable and chosen for this space,

Life unfolds and witnessed

Received by these wise arms.

Songs telling of Love are sung

When light appears

Joy of a new day,

Opportunities

Freedom felt in flight.

Brown and dead

Giver of life

Air for creation

Birthing green and color

Season of growth

Maker of all

Providing a new season

Different than the past,

Flowing law of nature

Change,

Healing.

I am a tree

by Jacqueline, posted in Uncategorized

Psalm 1:3-“And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of living water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither…”

I am a tree

I am firmly planted by streams of living water

I stand tall

My roots are hidden, however they go deep

I am strong

I am supported

I am fed

I am able to withstand storms

I am a tree

I am firmly planted by streams of living water

I am refreshed after a drought

My leaves are supple, green.

Day after day, month after month, year after year I grow.

I am pruned, deadness falls

I am wise

I stand tall

I give gifts to the creatures of the earth

Fruit to those who are hungry

A home to birds and others who need shelter

Shade to the earth and to people who need peace and calm

I am a tree

I am firmly planted by streams of living water

I stand tall.

The Hole

by Jacqueline, posted in Uncategorized

A hole can be deep, dark, empty, terrifying, isolating, and with no way of escape.

Circumstances can plunge one into this pit,

Visiting angels offer peace, hope, love and life to endure

Until one day courage breaks through,

Desire follows.

The climb ensues.

Endless, tiring, messy, exhausting, daily

Days turn to weeks, weeks to months, months to years,

Voices of companions too many to hear.

The darkness and uncertainty pushes like gravity.

One day at a time…..one moment at a time….

Laser light whets the appetite for more,

More of what?

Safety? The surface? Silence of voices?

In the darkness resides color, something wild, a force, fragrant, alive, hidden.

The “more” is birthing,

Excitement in the hole,

Newness,

Companions are seeing, knowing, listening, trusting, loving…

The hole has become a place of expectancy.