1/24/15 RMB Returning “hello”

1/24/15 RMB Returning “hello”

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

“If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Many days slip by without written words of fiction or in RMB letters. I found I was focusing, as people often do, on the negative. An injustice here or there sparked me to step up on my soapbox, to point out a positive or send out a wish for something better.  

As I eased on the brake, I came to ponder, what did I miss? Were the sunrises not spectacular enough to bear witness?  Must the drive of human nature wrestle with something in order to find value in anything? What of the treasures that lay before us in plain site? Does the ease with which they appear dull their magnificence?

Today the sun rose, silently lighting our day, awakening eyes to color and minds to activity. My old friend greeted me gently. And, for once, I noticed enough to return the “hello”.

Today, the words flow with appreciation for the wonders that surround us. Humbly recognizing the power in that ability, I give special thanks to my friend for the reminder and, of course, for lighting my day.

May the sun shine upon you,

Loraine

1/8/15 RMB Desert Friends

1/8/15 RMB Desert Friends

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

The holiday rush rushed us right into a New Year’s worth of days to fill. And they fill fast. It’s good to have work to keep hands busy and minds from falling idle. Yet, in the midst of all the busy-ness, it is good to take a moment to center, to think, to ponder…to enjoy, to live.

I visited Teddy in her desert home for the first time over Thanksgiving. On a cool morning I shadowed her as she fed her little friends, squirrels, rabbits, birds, lizards, and more. She tossed out feed, seed and vegetables in an area shaded by brush, so that they may eat protected from the desert sun. Then water stations were filled by hoses, connected in an interesting pattern, just for this purpose. We walked a ways and I looked back to see all the friends gathering, coming out of their desert hiding places, eating side by side, merrily munching away. There are no cages or leashes or enclosures, just friends. Dr. Doolittle lives.

She introduced me to a new, young tree friend. That was special. It waved at us with wispy, green, thin branches. We walked back across her property to begin our day, carrying the magic of the morning with us.

In the middle of all our mornings, certain ones are etched in memory deeper than others.

Happy New Year,

Loraine