Jordynn...

Big, blue-eyed, bouncing curled, 'blondie' girl...
Sweet puckered lips exploding into a wide, open-mouth smile;
Oh how you fill a room with your energetic, loving presence!
You make me smile, you fill my heart, you touch my soul.
Take me to heaven with the touch of your little hand on my face;
happily swept away, totally engulfed in your laughter...
The shutting of your eyes when you are thinking
and that tongue of yours has it's own personality.
Your outfit is so pretty, so many cute clothes and accessories!
What?  You need to find your Fairy wings?
Shall we have another tea party with your musical teapot?
Or do you fancy another story?
OK, let's watch how fast you do puzzles.
Such a wild child...full of exploration...so busy, so fun.
Will you be a rock climber or an explorer of mountains?
Will you be a gymnast or a professional dancer?
Already you are an excellent rocker and mommy of baby dolls...
Your Mommy has taught you so much and so well....
In three months you will be such a fantastic big sister!
I know you will be a leader....
I know you will be bright and loved...
I know you will follow your dreams....
Sweet baby girl--only two years old and so very smart!
You melt my heart the way you look up to and love your brother
almost four years older....he is your prince next to your Daddy.
Grandma loves you...
Little monkey girl, 'No jumping on the bed!'

© dkb

Each of Us...

"Each of us is meant to have a character all their own,

to be what no other can exactly be,

and do what no other can exactly do."

William Ellery Channing

What Lies Within Us...

What lies before us and what lies behind us

are small matters compared to

what lies within us.

And when we bring what is within

out into the world,

miracles happen.

Henry David Thoreau

This recent, global horror from the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight 17, shocks me, repulses me and leaves me wondering about the future of this world...

I think despicable actions of a minority of people, affecting various countries, more often then not, unite people.  We feel helpless, but we feel compassionate and want to reach out in some manner to the families and friends of the passengers and crew of this ill fated Airlines.  

We most certainly share the loss, as we all can relate and realize this appears to be happening more and more. God forbid it would happen to anyone we know and love...but I am certain, this is a universal thought of everyone, including those grieving now...never in a million years, thinking it would happen to them...

Yes, they may live in different countries across the world...thousands of miles away from us...but they each were some one's child, parent,  grand parent, sibling, partner, spouse, friend...and isn't that universal?  We all love, want to be loved in return, and to protect those we love.  We all laugh.  We all love. We all grieve....

We still are in disbelief at yet another Malaysian Airlines flight 370 which disappeared a little over four months ago and still has not been found.  I read search crews will resume August 1, 2014.

It reminds me how very important it is to live one's life to the fullest, leave nothing left unsaid, pursue your dreams with great passion and spend as much time with friends and loved ones.  Events like this remind us all how uncertain life is and which day will be our last day on this earth.

Watching the news coverage, I can't help feeling such a sadness with the loss of so many wonderful people in both Malaysian flights.  Scientists, researchers, Engineers, Inventors, Entrepreneurs, Teachers, Athletes, Students, innocent children and infants, snatched away before experiencing the lives they could have /continued/lead and the distinction their lives would have made in this world.

Each of us are works of wonder with tremendous potential, unique with talents and skills to share with our world; be it the influence within a family and circle of friends, a community, a state, a country, or a maximum global stature.  Each of us matter.  Each of us are important.

We will have our differences and I wish those differences were not threatening to so many...but they are....they just are...and we as individuals will encounter this challenge and learn to deal with it.  Ultimately, each of us are responsible for ourselves.  We must challenge ourselves to learn enough to realize we can agree to disagree and not lose any dignity.

Some of us have it completely wrong.  According to Brené Brown, Vulnerability is not weak, it is strong.  To lead a life, speaking one's truth, living in the unknown with uncertainty around us is very brave. Extremism is weak because it is rooted in shame. We can't do anything with shame...it is negative and destructive. Shame is ultimately fear. Afraid of the discovery that someone will find out about some inadequacy from being exposed... Attempting to control, insistence, rigidity, disapproval, intolerance, judgment is all bred from fear...

The older I get, I find it is more exhausting to hide anything!  It takes too much effort.  Futile effort...because we can never please everyone...and those who love and understand us, will always forgive us.  I've found the more vulnerable or honest I am, the more people seem to relate to me... Besides, I like who I am and if someone doesn't approve it's OK with me..."To each his own self be true".  I am OK with a difference of opinion....even if it is a polar opposite of what I believe to be true...

Yes, some times my instincts become alerted if someone disagrees loudly, or starts to attack me verbally.  I do my best to stay calm and if the situation continues to escalate by the other person, who is not satisfied with my suggestion to "agree to disagree" then I politely excuse myself and move on...

After viewing all the news lately, I cannot help but feel very blessed and thankful to live in these United States.  I cannot imagine not being able to sleep for fear my loved ones may be bombed, injured, maimed or killed!  Let alone waking to discover I survived the night but must herd all my loved ones and friends into a car, or wagon and leave my home and belongings behind to get as far away from my home as possible so we are not killed.

I find it so tragic to have such differences of opinion or belief so strongly one feels justified to kill to be right or get what they want.  Call me naive, and I realize I am trivializing a very complex, ongoing battle of differences... but for me, it is the bottom line.

I started this particular blog to discover the purpose of my life and to have like minded discussions with other people searching along the same path.  I wanted to hear and to learn how other's discovered their life purpose.

Personally, I would have to say, despite various ambitions to explore my creativity, my core concern has been family, friends, to be of service and to strive for enlightenment.
For me, an abundant life is a happy life shared with those I love and meeting new people who may or may not become friends.  I really enjoy learning and sharing.  I think I would classify myself as a "connector".  I seem to connect with all kinds of people.

How about you?  How do you feel?

Tragedy and Hope...

"A strange thing is memory and hope; one looks backward and the other forward; one is of today, the other of tomorrow.  Memory is history recorded in our brain, memory is a painter, it paints pictures of the past and of the day."

`Abba Mary Robertson Moses…aka Grandma Moses

The world waits, hopes and helps search 

for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370

Frustrations mount prompting

creative extensions of compassion

outpouring of support and prayer

Aching hearts 

unimaginable anguish

tortured minds unable to sleep

unbearable longing
despicable miscommunication

cruel tug of war 

of hope and horror

suicidal thoughts

in losing one's only child

a horrific magnitude of negative thought

no one can adequately relate

yet such a universal nightmare

one never wishes to experience.

Sending prayers and grace

hope and prayer

to every single family, friend and loved one…

~©dkb

We Are Not Old...

** from my Pinterest

I may not be 

as organized

or disciplined

as I want to be

but I am happy

and my capacity to love

is very great.

~dkb~

Be Bold Enough...

Pinterest

Time is flying...

This has been a busy month and it will get busier next week…got some irons in the fire…working on a project but not ready to discuss it in too much detail yet..

Spent the day cleaning.  It was cold outside anyway…

Izzy just woke up, walked out into the hall way and barfed.  Just once.  Hope she is OK…maybe she got too hot…better take her sweater off …

Re-designed my other blog Mystical Journeys and it feels strange…Will think on it some more…I may end up doing an entirely new blog for my painting…

It's too late…or early…I have to get up in five hours…better hit the sack.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone….just in case this is my last post for 2013.

Acts of Kindness and Heroes Among Us...

Amazing story and video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZGh2ytxrGk

Poetry Jam: Make the Last Memory Be the Best...

I learned a long time ago

how important parting is.

Be it at the end of a phone call,

 saying good bye for the night

or the last time before a separation...

I read a book entitled Celebrate the Temporary

 promoting contemplation of ones death often

with the realization our time here on earth

is temporary…each day is our last

before tomorrow.

September 4th, I lost a dear friend

The last time we spoke was week before she died.

I knew she had physical challenges

but her voice and laugh were still so young

as it was in High School 

She loved to laugh…

so I made sure every time we spoke

I made her laugh.

We talked for hours…

It was a good last memory.

©dkb

submitted for Poetry Jam

Challenge: To use the word last in 20 lines or less

Acts of Kindness...God Made Dogs

Had to share this video.  Anyone who was every blessed to have a dog, will love this and can so relate. I know I am so grateful for our adopted rescue pup Izzy.  We just celebrated four years of her adoption.
I know there are a lot of cat lovers out there too...I will be looking for a video on them...

Why?

image from Pinterest

we are all leaves

from different trees

we color the world

with our changes of color

shapes, sizes, seasons

and hues

different

yet the same...

we live in the same forest

making the world

we know 

more interesting

more joyful

to experience

why do humans

cut down forests

for progress

for profit

for greed?

why?

why do humans

make it so complicated

by judging others

by our differences?

is it about fear?

negativity?

does our technology

breed competition to out do

another

to make the most money?

why?

they can't take it with them.

why is so imperative

some should have 

so much more

than another?

why?

for what purpose?

to feel better?

more powerful than another?

more secure?

what? why?

wouldn't it be nice

to see sports teams

representing and 

playing for charities?

where both teams contribute portions 

of their proceeds to their charity?

more television programing

like Secret Millionaire

Undercover Boss

Extreme Home Make Over Home Edition

more feel good programing...

how about programming

with a panel of experts

and viewers can log in or

call in to get expert advice

for free...

(what a concept!)

what about political

parties setting an example

to show the country

how to get along?

how about a movement

to be kind to one another

or to treat everyone 

like a member

of one's own family?

everyone wants 

to feel loved,

safe,

significant,

wanted,

accepted

and to have a purpose...

so why try to take it away from them?

what about professionals,

sports figures,

famous celebrities

and millionaires

donating their valuable time

to teach in schools

or hold classes

with the unemployment offices?

why not?

why can't they share

their skills and knowledge?

what about neighborhoods

getting to know one another?

having a list of names, phone numbers

and emails to keep in touch

have pot lucks

assist in ride sharing

helping in emergencies

sharing skills and knowledge

getting to know one another

networking

brainstorming

helping with child care

pet sitting

so many possibilities...

we can't allow

technology

to take away

the human element

of touch...

to have eye to eye contact
 listening
to communicate with
another's soul

many humans

enjoy the forest

nature

the out of doors

it gives them peace

relaxation

calm

yet...how many

see the comparison...

the example

as a possible solution

for mankind?

there is so much peace

in simplicity

less complication

in forgiveness

joy in gratitude

understanding in appreciation

freedom in acceptance

fulfillment

in making another smile...

why don't we see it more?

why does it have to be 

scarcity or excess?

©dkb

Acts of Kindness....

Just driving along a road and noticing something on the side of the road...
She stops and discovers it is an injured dog...

If you ever doubted your power to change some one's life...watch this video.

Positive Thoughts For a Better Life...

"Some days are better,
  Some days are worse.
  Look at the Blessing,
  Instead of the curse.
  Be positive, stay strong
  and get plenty of rest.
  You can't do it all,
  But you can do your best."

-- Doe Zantamata

Magpie # 188: A Tree on a Hill...

Mark A. Haley 2010 photo

Photo prompt presented by Tess Kincaid 

Poetry challenge by Magpie Tales

standing mid-ascent 

the sky reflects my mood

the impaled tree in the distance

stands alone, plowed through and indifferent

a huge, abandoned, empty water main pipe

indiscriminately dropped, splitting the tree

which simply adapted and grew around it

teaches lessons in it's silence

the open meadow is dry

over baked by the sun

many dying from lack of rain

it crunches beneath my feet

were these stone steps

laid to hush the sounds of loneliness?

so pilgrimages could be made

to the solitude of sitting beneath a tree?

the wind always finds me

on this hill of pondering thought

taunting me with wind whispers

or yelling with rumbling thunder

the effort is always rewarded

if nothing more 

than the example of determination

and steadfastness

the view gives insight

much appreciated 

by a familiar friend

even if it is a tree on a hill...

10-1-13 ©dkb 

Short Break....

My Father passed away this past Sunday, peacefully in his sleep.  He has been in a nursing home for the past four years with Alzheimer's.. He would have been 93 in November.  He was a War Hero and a wonderful Father.

A family friend and fellow Marine wrote an incredible tribute to Dad and I re-posted it on my my other blog.  

I will be taking a break for a few weeks.  I will be traveling to California to be with my family and spend some time with my Mom.

Thank you so much for the kind emails I have already received...

Power Jam: Super Hero...

This is an older picture of my Mom, who is now 86 years old and myself.  I was probably in my late fifties in the photo, I am now 66.

This Poetry Jam challenge, hosted by Brian Miller (his blog WaystionOne), is to write about Super Heroes.

My Mom is my Super Hero.

She dared to go where she had never been

and sailed way past her comfort zones

She married young, totally unprepared,

during WW II

She learned "on the fly" how to be a Military wife,

to cook and become a Mother

an only child, she had seven of her own

She suffered the death of one of her sons

only 48 hours after his birth

She led by example and strong beliefs

yet always willing to listen and discuss anything

encouraging us to have our own opinions

we are very much alike emotionally

so we butted our stubborn, hard heads a lot

each of us always knew

she was there for us

She may not have been able to solve 

our problems, but she was in our corner

offering suggestions and supporting us

She taught me to be my own person

She taught me to listen to my gut

She taught me not to do anything

I would not want seen 

on the front page of a newspaper

being hard headed

I still pushed the envelope

and made my mistakes

yet I always knew she was there

if nothing more than

reminding me... it was a good life lesson.

She taught me to stand up 

for what is right

and for what is wrong

often we had differences 

of opinions-- but we could talk about it

and agree to disagree

She taught me to love my country

to be proud of our heritage

to do for others so I would not

dwell on myself

She demonstrated the importance

of keeping one's word

showing up on time,

with the commitment to finish what we started

She did not miss work

and worked so hard she would

fall asleep in the chair with her purse on her lap

taking a "cat nap" before cooking dinner

She wants to learn and be informed

She reads the complete newspaper

and does crossword puzzles in ten minutes flat

She knows her way around a computer, iPad

and smart phone.

She has faced the majority of her fears

but has not yet learned how to swim

while still raising school age children

she took a job when Dad did not earn enough

She could budget, save and stretch money 

teaching us always to meet our

responsibilities first, which

gave us time to decide

 how important

something really was

that we thought we wanted

today she celebrates 68 years of marriage

Dad has been in a nursing home

for the past four years

prior to his admission

she was his caregiver for over ten years

and earning a living for both of them

She just retired three years ago

working to the age of 83

She still lives in the two story home

where we were raised

She is still independent

She rarely calls for help

She does not interfere

and gives her love and wisdom

honestly without expectations

Super Heroes sound good
look good
depend on TV and movies--
I'll take the real,
human
dependable type...

She's my Mom

my friend

I love her

respect her

and am so proud to be

her Daughter

`©dkb

Cookin' Up Something Good...

"Writing is what we make from the broth of our experience..."

-- Julia Cameron from The Writer's Life Insights from the RIGHT to WRITE.

The Learning Years....

" There are years that ask questions and years that answer..."

-- Zora Neale Hurston

On Feeling "Uncreative"...

"One must also accept that one has "uncreative" moments.  The more honestly one can accept that, the quicker these moments will pass.  One must have the courage to call a halt, to feel empty and discouraged."

-- Etty Hillesum


Hellish heat permeates the barrage of depressing news
Days of drilling within
Tapping into nuggets of creativity
Restoring the sadness of soul

Some days there is nothing
Courage is required of patience
Drawing upon inner faith of self
Remembering the source of Perfection

Like smooth, quiet waters bring calm
Be the calm
Be the quiet
Gather the peace
Be ready for the big wave of inspiration

~©dkb

Interest in Life...

"Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music -- the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.  Forget yourself."

-- Henry Miller