Posts Tagged: birthday

Two Stories Diverged

On the day that Jonathan turned 18 we attempted to release balloons, as a symbol of releasing all of our hopes and dreams for him. Maybe the bigger symbol, of what was soon to come, is that most of the balloons would not rise, because the humidity had sucked out the helium.  Today again, I release my hopes and dreams for you son. I may have to do it every birthday. I miss you so, but I keep turning my pages and discover your story still encourages mine.

Jonathan and I shared in common a love for writing. We often encouraged each other through written words. I found this poem the other day. I began writing it for Jonathan’s birthday, but could never complete it. It is fitting that I share it with you today in celebration of Jonathan’s 20th birthday.

 

Today we begin composing two books.

Character development now begins in

your handwriting.

 

You have a good story, fraught with difficulty,

But worth sharing.

Do you see your purpose?

How your life encourages others to turn their pages?

Refer back to the gifts and talents

Revealed to you in the first chapters of life,

they are foreshadowing of things to come.

 

As you write this new book, remember:

The hero is never invincible

He needs others to draw out his character

There will always be plot twists

You may even meet an antagonist or two

But, allow them to sharpen who you become.

 

Your life has always been a page turner to me.

 

April Tears bring May Rainbows

The rain fits me right now, I am cloudy. As May is on my doorstep, so is Mother’s Day and my son’s birthday. I have had such an amazing year, but the heaviness of my heart is overwhelming today. So what do you do when pain and grief are so heavy they threaten to flood your soul?

I look for the rainbows. Lord, even grief carries the seeds of your healing. May I grow stronger as I remember my child. Amen

 

My Birthday Wish

Tally marks flickering in the darkness

Waiting for my wish . . .

 

For regrets to be extinguished and

joy to sing once more.

For sweet icing to be a delightful treat,

not a heavy poison of despair.

 

To surprise people with my flavor–

Strawberries snuck between living layers,

Moist with love, faith, and hope.

Giving fresh perspective to a new year

Of breathing in and out, a daily present opened faithfully.

You Knit Motherhood into my Soul

On this day you knit motherhood into my soul

Sweeping away cobwebs of brokenness and rebellion

Filling my world with the vivid colors I grew up missing

You deepened my breath, made me reach deeper inside

for strength that I had never explored, laughter never expressed, and hope unquenchable

by death.

On this day you made me a mother, and not even the grave can swallow my

joy.

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