Sunday evening picnic in Central Park

More....

Note the backdrop...

This morning

I'm sore and achy - slept with too much tension.
Stepping along uphill to the subway as fast as I can,
but, I have to relinquish my outside lane.
I'm on the slow track this morning.

This week I walked past a film set.
The trailer doors had labels:
Costuming.
George.
Gracie.
Dead body.

Pass the Experience God sign at St. Barts.
Pray that I do.

I walk past an art gallery.
The splash of color and
Definiteness of shape
awaken and sustain.

I go inside the building where HP has offices.
I am always intimidated on the elevator.
We share the space with Saks fashionistas
And investment bankers with personal shoppers.
Even on my good days, when I try to dress the part,
I'm no fashionplate.
My wardrobe is better suited for teleworking.

It doesn't help that the inside walls of the elevator are entirely mirrored.
No escape for those who'd rather be oblivious.
A city of mirrors for the obsessively image conscious.

In the office, I look across and see a lush area, trees and grass with bushes.
From here, it looks more natural than the other rooftop gardens.But this forest is 18 stories in the air.

Bedtime songs

Monday night as I put the girls to bed I sang,
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me.

It was a very hectic bedtime, but they both got still at the song.
By the time I got to the next verse, Thank you for hearing me,
I got choked up and cried.
Gratitude.
Recognition that God is there.
Recognition that God is teaching my girls about himself.
Teaching me about himself.
Love.

As I sang the words, Tressa watched my mouth intently, and her mouth moved along with mine.
When I finished singing, Tressa said "Mama, you're dripping!"
I laughed.
We talked about Jesus and what to do if you're lost.
The 3 year old mind!
I had introduced the "Thank you for saving me" verse, by saying that if we are lost or need help Jesus will take care of us.
So, when the song was over, she wanted to know what to do if we're lost.

I told her that Jesus will always be with us and take care of us if we're lost.
"Yes, but what do we DO?" -- So much like her Mama!
I answered it literally, since that is how she thinks.
I asked her name, and her Dada's name and her address.
She knows our names, and does pretty well with our address.
She could probably get help and get home if lost.
I'll pray that she remembers Jesus part, too. I pray that will go deep.

Tuesday night I put the girls down separately.
When I put Eli in bed, I sang the Thank you song.
She sang right along with me. Toneless and loud, slurring the words.
Gorgeous. Heaven stopped to listen.
Then, she wanted to sing, "Diddle fiddle & cat"
So, we sang, "Hey Diddle Diddle," too.

When it was Tressa's turn to go to bed, we sang it again.
She watched closely and moved her mouth along.
I stroked her hair while I sang, and she watched to see if I would drip again.

Sunday night.

I have really great pictures from Sunday night.
But, I have to figure out the blogger picture tool. It timed out on me twice when I tried to post before.
So, pictures coming.

Poetry - delayed due to rain

Yoga

Sitting straight.
Breathing deep.
Feeling the extra-sensory-tingling
feeling that
I used to feel

When I heard God talk.

Now, I stretch and lift my heart
to the sun.
Breathe through my nose:
Cat. Cow.
Tree.
Warrior One.
Plank.
Cobra.
Downward facing dog.

I am present.
Parts of me awakening that
I haven't felt all
Day. Year. Longer.

Concentrate.
Feel.
Listen.

God is not the sun, or this body with heart lifted.
But, I am present.
I AM is present.
I can hear - dimly.