Late Nights, Early Days

If there would be one question left for me at the end of my time it would be, why are my nights so late when the daylight begins so early?
You see it began long ago....likely in the womb of my mother.  I imagine she too had been daunted with the gift(?), or curse(?) of being a night owl.  I remember well as a little girl many times it seemed like magic that my mother would produce such incredible feats, such as making dresses for all us five girls, or getting all our clothes washed, and then to top it off she would have breakfast out just in time for school(not really on time but what the heck it sufficed to get us fed and on our way).  I just knew she  had elves stashed away somewhere and would sneak them out after our heads hit the sack.  Of course, that's why she always wanted us to go to bed so early!
Whether a curse or gift I suppose it is relative to our position in life.  I find often that it seems a curse in that I pay dearly in the cost of my health, not to mention my inability to function during the day at my best.
I used to believe that one of the reasons for wanting to stay up so late was sheer rebellion(from all those times I was made to go to bed at night).  Also I see it as time to myself!  I used to ask why then couldn't I go to bed early and get up early, well, you see my husband is an early riser and when I get up with him he likes to talk a lot.  I am not a talker in the mornings!  Pleeze!  Give me time to roll over and get some coffee!
So, why is it that I struggle to go to sleep at night earlier and rise with a fresh being?  No, it's not the end of my time but I still would like to know! Good night!

A poem for my dearest Chad's daughter and son.

MoonCycles

Time can be measured

with each heartbeat we hear,

Rhythmically-second by second, minute by minute,

hour by hour, and day by day.

And as days become months,

which are measured by the moon,

her pattern repeats itself

to the sound of our tune.

Each one anew, waxing into fullness,

waning to the next, then unseen,

unheard, a phase lasting half a breath,

cycling through, another heart beat,

another moon,

 and time escapes us all too soon.

And as the moon cycles through each life and breath does too,

passing over with a heartbeat

to begin anew.

by Janey Wood Kelly

Frozen Memories

Unbelievably cold this January day and two days ago even colder at 1 degrees F.  It is interesting to note how much the frozen landscape reflects our memories in time.  The running water in the creek has layers of ice capturing the water in time, frozen, standing still, yet all the while the underlying water continues to flow like that of our  mind and its memories but still connecting us to the here and now.  If only for a moment, stand still frozen in time.  Feel the breath as it moves in and out of your lungs, its coolness, and for a real treat stand outside and watch your breath, ahhh!  Winter, thank you for memories!

Ode To My Brother

          

 As with the river life continues far beyond what we can see;

And as the seasons change, so do we on our journey here.

The snow falls silently leaving a blanket that the sun warms

for the earths chance to reabsorb and carry back 

to the rivers from which it came.

And as we too spring forth with life, 

we carry with us the force of nature;

And so it is we too return to the river

to be carried on to the beyond of which we cannot see.

And it is there too where our life begins anew,

another season waiting its turn. 

                                                                           Love you Bro
                                                                                  RIP
                                                                   

CHANGES IN NOVEMBER

As never before do I remember the glorious beauty of November.  I'm not sure why I don't remember, except in time, just as in all the events of life unfolding, it is so difficult to hold the image so absolute that we can recall it with the same perfection.  I want to remember this November, to recall the events that have seemed so significant this go round.  When capturing the photo aside it was so difficult to really show how luminous and energetic the leaves were in the glistening sun that beautiful day in November.  What has been really interesting is that one week later in this month of November I was invited to a dear friend's celebration bonfire and it portrayed the EXACT fiery dance that those golden burnt orange leaves were displaying and I was in absolute awe, again!  November is a time to remember, so many changes that come into play as the leaves fall down, each one spiraling out of control with the blustery winds that seek to inform us of winter's coming.  Starting the day after Hallow's eve, a time of thanksgiving, a time of sharing in all the blessings received, and too as a reminder of the coming winter months that we hunker down with each other and take refuge from the storms.  The change of season, the change of time, longer nights and shorter days.  Another interesting phenomenon, the date 11.12.13, not something that happens each year, and the fact that I took notice:). I also have experienced some wisdom in the numbers of 111 and the meaning of seeing these numbers and why just now, in the 11th month of the year?  So many insights, so much to remember, that is why it is November!

"Go bravely into this world" unafraid,
 boldly, and beautifully. Strengthen
 your heart and mind. Live the way
 of the warrior princess, shielding
 your health, trekking lightly, and
 healing those on your path.  

Mystery Unfolds

Again, as life unfolds revealing truths that seem to "surpass understanding" there are moments of clarity, like that being described as a "twinkling of the eye", or to that of witnessing a starlit night and the magic that appears when a star shooting across the sky like a flash of lightening, it's not there and then it is, quickly without warning, but watching in awe, we are the observer of one's own self, glimpsing or witnessing our own flight into a knowing, seeing ourselves transition, discovering something that we never fully realized or could grasp previously even if we tried.  We never knew ourselves at this depth, an enlightenment, something so deep, such as knowing a love we never dreamed of, or experienced thus far, or just knowing how connected we really are to others and this universe.  Realizing in our tiny little worlds that we are not alone and that of our selves we are so small and much of what we do really has no meaning, but in these moments of truth we realize just how magnificent and how important we have come to be in this world even when we are standing alone in our realization of our beauty, our wonder, and mystery.