It's Spring here at the Creek.
Flowers are starting to bloom and the trees have buds already.
The sound of songbirds fill the morning as they fly from branch to branch. They seem excited to see each other after being away.
I can hear the waterfall at the bottom of the hill ...
a morning breeze playing in the trees ...
My woods are so peaceful ... Some days the woods just fill me up.
Some days, like today, I unload my worries there ...
In real life and real time ...
my kids are facing challenges
that fill my thoughts and prayers.
It's not always easy to turn worry into faith.
Today, I struggle.
In real life and real time ...
I have a friend who is really sick
and there is nothing I can do.
It's not always easy to turn worry into faith.
Today, I struggle.
In real life and real time ...
I miss my friends, Emilie and Lauren.
Emilie passed away two Springs ago and Lauren passed last Spring.
I have tried several times in the past few weeks
to write about how much their friendships meant to me ...
how they changed my life ... but I couldn't find the words.
They were amazing women.
Emilie was wise and always kind.
Lauren had a gift.
If Lauren was there, no matter what we were doing,
I knew we were going to have fun.
They both were braver than me.
I would give anything to have one more visit with Emilie.
I wish Lauren could be here for just one more day.
Emilie would have good advice and
Lauren would help me take things less seriously.
It's not always so easy without them.
Today, I struggle.
In real life and real time
... I feel like a tiny, tiny drop in a GREAT BIG sea ...
Today, I struggle.
In real life and real time ...
I walked along the creek and watched a branch stop and start
along the edge.
It would get tangled up and swirl a bit and then
the water would work it loose and it would continue ...
dipping and twirling in the current
only to be caught up again in a sandy place ...
until a surge in the water moved it along ...
it continued.
I smiled. There's that word again ...
A friend and I had just spoken about the value of continuing ...
My kids will be okay ... They are just a little tangled up.
My friend could get better ... She is just caught up.
Emilie and Lauren aren't gone ...
Emilie shared enough wisdom for two lifetimes.
I already know what Emilie would say.
Lauren shared her gift of laughter all the way to her very last day.
I stood on the edge of the creek
... in real life and real time ...
I imagined what Lauren would say if she were here,
"C'mon ... this is not our worst day ..."
( and she would launch into one of her stories ... )
I laughed just remembering.
I found myself smiling as I walked back to the house
thinking
I will continue
