Teenager

He is very good at being a teen
He grunts in response to most everything
He is irritated when asked to clean
He can't seem to step away from his screen
He tries not to see how he still must lean
     on kind adults who know what he must glean
Who make sure he eats plenty of protein
Who encourage practices of good hygiene
Who make him refrain from evening caffeine
Who work to establish a solid routine
Who ensure he does homework in between
    the activities he'd rather convene

Change

Change is constant -
    but I do not have to go with its flow.

Change is good -
    but only if I am willing to grow.

Change is scary -
    but without, a dull life I would bemoan.

Change is an adventure -
    because I'm thrust outside my comfort zone.

Change is inevitable -
    because my life should not be a tableau.

Where I Refuse to Follow

Today I am hit anew with the pain of losing my best friend.

She didn’t die, didn’t move away.

She made choices I don’t understand,

Went where I refuse to follow.

I thought I knew her,

Thought I was a better judge of character.

I’d never considered there would be a time

When I couldn’t

Turn to her,

Seek her advice,

Cry on her shoulder.

But she hasn’t confided in me,

She’s only pulled away,

And went where I refuse to follow.

Things will never be the same.

I have lost a piece of my heart.

To Heal My Soul

To heal my soul,

To fill myself with patience and compassion,

I need time to myself.

Time where I am my only responsibility.

While in short supply, it is possible

To sit and have a cup of tea

To wander among the trees

To put pen to paper.

Ten minutes each day.

I cannot help you if I don’t first help myself.

Betrayed

Anger, hurt, and humiliation.

Shock and outright disbelief.

This can’t really be happening.

My life can’t be changing in this drastic way.

There is no way to fix this,

To go back to the way things used to be.

But there is love and compassion

This new circumstance can’t possibly erase all that came before.

While I can’t stop shaking my head

And I really don’t want to think about what you did

I am here for you.

I will not back away or hide.

You need love and support, not judgement or reproach.

You are Not Alone

You are not in this life alone
There are always people who want to help
Will you be brave enough to reach out before it's too late?

Don't wait until you've reached a point of no return
Think through the consequences ~
really take the time to reflect.

Ode to My Parents

I never thought my parents were old.

Growing up, their life path was my goal.

Even now, seven decades into life,

they continue to inspire and thrive.

Traveling in and out of the country,

and driving through two states to willingly

and excitedly babysit grandkids.

Mom has joined groups to read and to knit.

Dad still takes the soccer field by storm,

playing and reffing, in continued good form.

Enjoying life to the fullest extent,

they are living models for lives well spent.