Remembering ...

 

There's something about the late afternoon light

reflecting from the chasm

where death came swiftly 

to so many who began their day 

that day

as I begin too many days ...

unaware

   

 There's something about trying to explain

to a child

who was only 7 months old

how we awoke in one world

and fell asleep that night

in another  --

how evil can create hatred

toward innocent people who live and love

and work and play

There's something about row upon row

of names

with light shining through - 

tracing the letters with your finger

and wondering what brought them

to that place

instead of you

There's something about hope rising 

shining and strong

daring to stand tall again

against a blue sky

 There's something about the courage

that dares to rise 

beyond any other building on the horizon

as if to say

"We're still here

and we will live and love 

and work and play

again."

 

There's something about hope standing in a harbor

Holding high the flame of freedom

Welcoming, promising, caring

for the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free"

 

There's something about BEING FREE

on a beautiful spring day

to stroll with your family

to wonder, to learn, to imagine ....

What it must have been like to arrive

with little more than the clothes you wore,

not sure if you would pass the test,

not sure if you would have the chance

to be all that you knew you could be

in this new place

 

There's something about imagining

that perhaps my own grandmother 

or yours

slept on this cot swinging gently from its chains

or maybe 

she lay awake

listening to the snoring 

and the quiet turning 

of the others restless 

with the burden of unspoken dreams and fears

There's something about standing in this great hall

surrounded by the echoes

of so many who began their life of freedom here.

Who entered through this gateway

to the land I call my home.

There's something about all of these things...

that lifts my eyes beyond 

the things I complain about

and the politicians I will vote for or against

and the still-unrealized dreams I hold

to a place

where I am humbled

by the memory

of all who sacrificed

to give and to preserve

this precious freedom.

All I can say

is

"Thank You."

Two Worlds

I"ll admit .... as a bit of a "girly-girl,"  I do love my coffee shops, facials and massages, strolls along the beach and hammocks.   But over the past few years, I've expanded my experiences into camping, hiking, horseback riding, painting (as in walls and windows) and keeping the home fires burning with splintery hunks of former trees.

Last weekend, my daughter, Katie, got married (blog post to come, I promise) and in celebration, I treated myself to a French manicure.  I'm pretty sure it's been close to a decade since I had one and  I must say, "It was stunning!"

But I also must say that I had a giggle a few days later while wrangling a stubborn log onto the early morning fire ...

Right here ... right in this picture ... are my two worlds!   I am a "girl" who loves the wild, wonderful Adirondacks! 

I'm proud to say that I can still stoke a mean fire ... even with a French manicure.  Hear, hear for all  girly Adirondack women!!  I know you're out there!