Stormy Weather

It's early morning, pouring rain was my wake up call granting the alarm clock a day off. I only even had the alarm set for an early shift driving the shuttle at work. The rain came down so hard and so fast I was sure there was hail, as sure as I cared to be in my state of semi-consciousness. Aware enough to process the thought that I'd like to stay with my bed and let the rain lull me back to the non-reality of crazy mixed up stories my sleep controlled mindlessness conjures up. But no, the day had been committed to a schedule I was obligated to fulfill, I was expected, and I would do the right thing, against all my wishes.
This early hour on a non rainy day would by now be bright and welcoming. From my spot on the shuttle I would be hearing the squawk of parrots, seeing blackbirds and doves flitting about gathering breakfast, frolicking in springtime courtships. Today the clouds are so thick that light is barely breaking, it's dark gray as far as I can see in any direction. The usual sway of the palm trees today is more like spasms in reaction to being pricked with pins while standing at attention as a sergeant scolds under inspection. The flowers that on any other day unfold and reach toward the beckoning sun are curled up and tucked in, an effort to armor against the brute pelting. Nature looks sad, beat up, like life has handed it an injurious blow.
But sunshine is forecast for tomorrow. The rain doesn't stay, not for long, a reprieve will come. Tomorrow the palm fronds will again reach across the aisle to each other and dance, the flowers will yawn and stretch and wave at the doves and blackbirds finding fresh breakfast choices on the menu. All of nature will be vibrant and alive, completely oblivious that the previous days lashing was actually good for them, they are nourished, their fortitude and resolve strengthened. Having weathered the storm they are less likely to break under the pressure of the next one, there will be a next one, there always is. How sweet the sun after the rain. How sweet the rain that while given little positive regard is the means by which nature and indeed all of life is sustained. It's not the day of my choosing, I would choose sunshine every day. In the end though it is the storms that cause me to so appreciate the sun. The flowers irritated by the pesky birds just the day before because they infringed on their territory, are now happy to co-habitate, and the birds are kinder, complimenting the flowers superior beauty instead of being jealous of it. Harmony returns. Not one dominates, each have a place, each place is vital to growth and continuance. The sun is there, it's always there. The clouds have their way today but are limited, the storms restricted, granted only temporary domain. Storms are no match for sunshine!

War Letters

As I searched old photos for a particular couple, like looking for a needle in a haystack as they say, I did not find the ones I was looking for, but did find some that I thought were forever lost to a technology blunder, I was so surprised and excited when they appeared on my computer screen, I clapped and said out loud, "oh this is such a good day"!

These were the photos taken on a vacation to Virginia last summer when we visited the retired battleship "Wisconsin", accessible to the public for viewing. It is adjacent to the "Nauticus", a museum of historical battle related items and information. There is an outdoor park area with large bronze plaques scattered on the ground meant to look like blown in a breeze papers. They are inscribed with the actual words of letters from deployed soldiers to loved ones during various wars. Reading them I imagined the writers, their surroundings, and their recipients. Some very eloquent, some poetic, some just regular home town talk. A very moving memorial. The words of people just like us, inspired by their experiences, living and seeing what I because of them have never had to, who felt the same way I do about my loved ones but chose to separate from them, for them, for us.

I don't know first hand what it is like to have to fight for freedom, only the comfort and ease of living in it. Freedom to say what I think, buy a home wherever I want, have children, congregate in the church of my choosing, work and educate myself, go to a store and buy what I need, often what I want just because I want it. I sleep in a comfortable bed, on clean sheets, under a dry secure roof, in a warm house in winter and cool in summer. I flip a switch for light, push a button for entertainment. I can store, preserve, and prepare a variety of healthy tasty food. Each night I am pampered by a tub of warm soothing relaxing water with just a turn of a knob. Each morning starts with cool water from a faucet for washing and tooth brushing, and for the coffee maker. When I walk out my private door I see multiple cars in the driveway ready to take me and my family to our jobs, schools, beaches, parks, malls, churches and restaurants.

This is my America. The land of the free and the brave. Bravery on their part, freedom on mine. Mine is easy, theirs was hard. May we not take for granted, may we not dismiss lightly, may we not, ever, underestimate the price that has been paid for the privilege and luxury that is ours. We are obligated today to honor what they did yesterday, and some to this day still.

It is my honor to meet that obligation. I vow to remember where I came from and how I got here, and how easily it could be frittered away by those who neglect and forget.

p.j.

Life of Larry

It's amazing how quickly life changes, takes turns in directions you didn't expect, or maybe did expect...later. Some changes have a specifically allotted time, some take what seems like forever, some come in an entirely different form than expected, some are waited for but just don't come at all. Some change life so dramatically that it never again looks the same as it did before the change.

And so another year with all of it's life changes has receded into the history of the "life of Larry". As the 29th year introduces itself it seems natural and fitting to look back at the 28th. It has indeed been a year of great changes! Just 365 days which together don't seem like so much, especially when 1 particular day is actually the highlight of the 365, 1 seems even less significant, however, 1 day is all it took to forever chart a new course in the "life of Larry". In one brief moment Larry went from a status of extinction to legacy.

In his 28th year he became a Dad! I always told him he'd be a great father one day, that was the one thing I could clearly see for him in the future, you know like artistic, athletic, musically inclined, techy, comedic, like those qualities, a great father just shined bright for Larry's future.

He always smiles, in fact his mouth is so typically curved up in a toothy smile, and he gets so carried away enthusiastically describing whatever is his topic, that the open curvature creates the perfect escape for big boy drool! Just like when he was a little boy! I'm certain he practiced smiling in the womb because he sure entered the world that way. He put smiles on the faces of those he smiled at because he was just so stinkin' smiley one could not help but be drawn in and smile back and even linger in the presence of the smiling one! His smile was just always there. And there you'll find it still.

His patience seems to be un-ending. I cannot recall ever seeing him flustered, (well, maybe once or twice, but no more!), excited yes, very much so, but never at wits end! Maybe it isn't possible to lose patience when your mouth curves decidedly upward. Maybe that curve is the outward evidence of an inward characteristic trait that makes patience come so naturally to him, a characteristic that eludes most of us, uniquely given to a chosen few who are entrusted to use it for enhancing the lives of all they are joined to, and we the "lucky" enhanced.

Year 28 was eventful, memorable, and life changing. Year 29 will be too. There are many "firsts" to be experienced with your new son, just as already have been. Year 29 is the last stop on the 20 something route. The next birthday will mark another new beginning, who knows what these days will hold, what surprises are ahead waiting for you to catch up to them, patiently, for all good things are worth the wait! Patience on your part because it's your nature, and because you have no choice in the timing, you will approach them, recognize them, claim them as yours, and climb aboard for the ride those surprises will take you on. As I watch you board this the 29th year ride of surprises, I can see you waving delightedly, anticipating those changes and firsts, and even lasts, that are all just a part of the ride, the best ride in the greatest show on earth, the "life of Larry". You're waving and of course, you're smiling...and I'm smiling!

Love you lots L.T., Happy 29th!

P.J.

A Walk in the Park

The sun has shined, temperatures mellow, skies clear and blue, Spring has sprung! It is much too perfect outdoor enjoying weather to be indoors! Fortunately for me in Florida in March there are lots of beautiful places to invest a little time enjoying!

To my delighted surprise, I discovered a bird feeder near the nature center in the park just 10 minutes from home, that is frequented by the most colorful display of aviary offerings. To my further delight, these little beauties happily dined while I sat at length, just watching, mesmerized by their perfection, and the fact that until now I didn't know they even existed! Yet here they were just 10 feet away, going about their business, unaware that they were being very attentively observed. I have made several trips in hopes of seeing them the past few days, they have not disappointed! They can completely disappear into their environment and you'd never know they were there. Now that I've seen them I want to see more of them, like a rare secret that only discloses itself to a certain "lucky" few. A gift only given to one who stops long enough to notice.

Different from the tall dense earthy forests of the north with their own hidden treasures, walking through the sparse pine and palmetto woods natural to this area peaked my sense of smell. The breeze carried a warm, woody, green with life scent that absolutely required of me, long, full, deep breaths, absorbing yet another under appreciated gift, the scent of freshness and newness, a certain indication of continuance, hope.

Walking back to my car, looking down I spotted the teensiest of blue flowers intermingled with the green grasses. A weed to anyone whose finely manicured lawn might sprout them, but why? They are sweet and demure, they can't be big like the garden variety flowers, their destiny in life is to peek up through the sandy southern soil for as long as allowed. They just are. They possess no awareness of their stature or status, they don't know they are teensy, they unfold their petals, and bend toward the sun with all the splendor they've been created to offer. They are trampled under foot without so much as a passing thought. I stopped. I saw. I admired.

I have the pictures fresh in my mind, I have the pictures from my camera downloaded on my computer, I have shared the pictures and spoken of the experiences, but only being there up close and personal can make it a treat, an escape from the daily exhaustion of dull routine.

We are literally surrounded by treasures just waiting to be discovered and appreciated, gifts that have been right in front of our unseeing eyes, and disconnected preoccupied natures.

What else have I been missing?

Wake up senses.

Life is happening, with or without you.