Dear Waves of Sand Ripples..

Photo: Ed Silveira

I am fascinated by and in awe of you and the beautiful pattern you have created!

You are firmly shaped yet moist and easily marked.

I am amazed at your number and how close you are to each other.
Just how did you come to be?

Did the energy of the ocean waves shape you into being?
 I think of you more like clay being shaped and formed
by all you meet.
How beautiful and how vulnerable you are.
Is your ripple pattern a constant for you, or does it change?

You are reminding me of how we too in the human family
are shaped and formed by all we meet as well.
We are also part of a much larger family and are just
beginning to appreciate that family .

Thank you for showing us your magnificence and vulnerability
and reminding us of our own.
May we honor you and ourselves by treating each other with
deep respect and love.

Dear Tree Family

Your captivating display and shower of vibrant orange has me in awe!!

Thank you.

Your stately presence grounds me and gives me strength and peace.

Thank you. 

I laugh, as I think...what if I tried to count all your leaves??

Would it even be possible??

Thank you for the gift of each and every one...

I become still, as I think of the gift you all give,

You give all you have

until you are bare and vulnerable.

Thank you...

You remain beautiful and strong...

as you teach us,

the gifts that 

 vulnerability can offer.

Thank you, and I love you

in all of your seasons...

May I give myself the same gift..

Loving myself, in all of my seasons.

Dear Peek..A..Boo.. Sun,

photo: Susan Garver

You remind me of the gift of little things
that can uplift us and help us move forward.
Your Peek..A..Boo week also reminded me to keep my sense
of humor activated.
THANK YOU!!

Sister sky your soft calming vibrant color mirrored in Sister water, highlights suns appearance,
and gives me peace, Thank you!

Tree family...your bold dark stance speaks of your vulnerability and strength,
while enhancing suns presence.  Isn't it amazing how the fearful dark
can also enliven suns light!!!
Thank you!

May we in the human family learn from each of you how to make
our days without sun's light beautiful and peaceful.
What we can't do alone..we can do together!!!

Dear Rose,

Photo by: Judith Kapp

I love your beautiful shades of pink

and your fragile soft petals.

I love the family of petals

circled within you, waiting to unfold.

I love the deep green of your leaves and stem.

I am in awe of the beauty you and your family 

give, often, in a very short life span.

I am beginning to realize more deeply that the length of life 

is less meaningful than the fullness of life expressed in a life time.

You give of yourself, totally and completely in each moment of your journey.

To you, I may be speaking the obvious. That does not mean that a long life can't be 

rich and full..what it says to me is that, be it a short or long span of life

I want to blossom into fullness..giving of the best of me, as you are doing.

What also touches me and amazes me is that your whole unfolding process
 leaves you completely vulnerable to all the diverse elements and energies
 operating within our earth family. 

Soil, sun, water, wind, cold, heat, impact you immediately often with little warning.

You are vulnerable and you are strong.

We humans face those same elements and energies, with much more safety and protection. 

Again, to you, I may be speaking the obvious. Is there something you would like us to know 

about you, that we are not aware of ?

Yes Assunta, there is.
Often your human family sees us primarily as separate from one another.
You see the many... you do not see as clearly, the oneness.
 For all of us in the Rose Family
 and in the natural world as a whole
We are all keenly aware of our ONENESS.

We know that without each and every member, none of us, would survive or thrive.

The human family is just beginning to recognize and honor that sense of Community and Interdependence and their place within it.

Diversity is another gift that your human family is struggling with. Diversity is something
to be embraced not feared.  Diversity offers beauty, newness, and growth in ways we might
have never imagined.  See each other, for the gifts you are, rather then through the eyes
of fear and watch the wonder you will accomplish together.

Thank you dear Rose, once again, I am in awe and very grateful
for your wisdom, beauty and love.

Dear Rainbow Sky,

What touches me as I look at you
is how briefly you are with us in all your expansive and vibrant beauty.
In that time,
You give ALL YOU ARE .

I never really thought about the time element
until today.
Each day..you give us majesty in color and form
and then it is gone...!!
Sad to say, we humans might say...
Why should I work so hard to give all that beauty for such a short time!!

You remind me and I hope all of us
of the power of living in the moment.
Giving of the best of  us
in whatever time we have.

You reflect too, how quickly things change...
and change is not easy for us.
You do not let the reality of change stop you
from giving your fullest in each moment.

Thank you for your willingness to give your ALL
in the often brief time frame you are given.

To me, you are like an artist who creates beauty
to be shared moment to moment,
ever willing to wipe the canvass clean when change paints
a new perspective.
Thank you...Thank you..for your willingness
to give so generously,
and may I take the time
to recognize, honor and appreciate your gift
each day and
the gifts of all our sisters and brothers.

Once again, I am awed and amazed at where this conversation with you
has taken us.  Thank you for opening my eyes to your giving
the fullness of you no matter the time span.
May I be willing to do the same.

Dear Family,

Thank you for the gift of you

on this Celebration of Earth Day.

Thank you for your peace,

beauty, and diversity,

May we humans come to 

celebrate those same things in our own lives

and with one another.

Dear Stone Family,

I am not sure what it is that draws me to you?

The large number of you together...your diverse and unique shapes..

your being pushed and pulled by the current and breaking waves..

 or your varying degrees of immersion 

in sister water. 

 Sparkling sun seems to say..stop..look..pay attention!!!

What strikes me too is that with your various sizes and weights some of 

you are more apt to be moved, unwillingly, by the strength and force

of  both water's currents and waves.

Your numerous presence and diversity of shape and size creates a tight and strong community,

making any unwillingly movement more difficult.

You are a visual for a favorite saying of mine,

What we can't do alone...we can do together!!!

What would you like me to know, that I may be missing

dear Stone Family??

Sometimes we are forced to go in a direction we would rather not go..

sometimes we are submerged,

 and sometimes we are greatly distanced from one another..

none of which is easy.

The gift is ...that change will come ...movement will come 

that can bring us back...raise us up..bring us home!!!

So like yourselves dear humans.

When you feel forced to go in a direction you would rather not go

or feel overwhelmed and at a distance from one another,

that change is never easy. 

But know,  that like your Stone Family,

The Gift is..that change will come...movement will come

that can bring you back, raise you up and bring you home!!!

Dear Stone Family...Once again, I am awed and grateful

for how this conversation has gone. Thank you for your beauty

strength and wisdom.

Dear puffy clouds,

I  love the way your puffs of  rich color and suns golden light,

are mirrored deeply in sister water.

She captures your entire expanse

in all its beauty.

 With the edge of darkened  rocks, stones and  bushes,

and  the varied lengths of  black earth,

  you are a rich blend of brilliant light and deep shadow.

I hear you gently asking

Do  you see yourself in me??

And I am amazed, honored and grateful

to say, I do!!

I am in awe of suns soft yet bold presence.

She reminds me, that her light,

 casts out, shadows!!

Give me the grace, when I look in my own mirror,

to see my brilliant light, and to remember

that that same light, can cast out my shadows

when I am willing to look and see.

Dear Sky...

I am in awe of your red velvet beauty.

What comes to my heart is

"immersed in love."

And that is the gift you give.

Such vibrant color

and bold black contrast.

Patches of blue poking through

your velvet clouds.

 The golden flares

that boldly hold their space,

as

sister water mirrors every color and texture

of your incredible artistic display.

There truly is a deep sense

of total immersion...

 An incredible oneness.

Wow..and Thank you.

for showing us 

how deeply, we are immersed in Love...

Dear Rocks,

You stand out.. sharp and clear, 

even as sister light dances around you.

My first instinct was to see you in a negative way

as a block or a danger and I apologize. 

I choose to see you in a more positive manner.

Your size and weight would proclaim you 

as prominent markers of strength and depth.

It's hard to tell if you are immersed in sister water

or not.

How often might you be a place of safety

for boaters or swimmers

human and creatures.

You offer the perfect spot 

to view the light shows

created by your sisters. water and sky!

I wonder too..how often you experience

the affects of

 waters rising and changing currents

because of storms and sister wind?? 

You appear

solid, strong and safe,

 gray and beautiful 

as you wear the many markings

of your history.

What would you say to me,

dear Rocks

I would most appreciate your wisdom.

Thank you for seeing and recognizing us as part of your family.

  We are often noted for our size and depth, 

I would also offer that we are sentinels 

of solid presence, silent and still.

Witnesses to ongoing activity

from morning to night. 

 We rarely leave our place,

and when we do it is because of  a deep movement within Mother Earth,

a severe storm,

or human activity toward so called development.

For many, we are like the faithful reminders of home,

when you are boating, swimming or viewing us from the highway. 

The stories we could tell!!!

Thank you dear Rocks.  I love how you see yourselves as silent sentinels and reminders of home.

I see that in you too. Please know..you give great joy and beauty.

Dear Family....sky...colors...water...limbs and branches...

As I looked at you..

my heart sang

JOY, AFTER THE STORM!!!

Tree's dark and fragile limbs 

seem to wave goodbye to the dark

and gray clouds,

while welcoming the bold and beautiful 

colors of newness.

Together, Sister sky

and Sister water

proclaim,

 change has come

The storm has passed.

Dear Light of Hope...

That's what you are for me today!  

My heart is heavy and fear is strong. 

Your light in all its colors

gives me the courage to look at the dark and the fear

and know that you are stronger.

I was ready to call our stone family members

dark and heavy in a negative way

and now I am resisting.

I prefer to see them as holders of strength 

and solidity.

Together you truly give me hope 

and ground me

when fear wants to wash over me. 

Like the boat small and alone,

we can move forward 

because of the gifts you 

give.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!

Dear Tree..

Your width and depth give me a sense of strength and security. Your aged bark
 in all its shapes and sizes reminds me of the many stories you could tell of
your own life's journey over countless years.

When our world is all stirred up, and I allow myself to get caught up in that whirlwind,

I need your strength and stability.
You give me peace and remind me, that change and turmoil are a part of our life's journey,
and.. that they will come and go!
Thank you for your sturdy and uplifting presence!!! 

When I am in fear of pain and death
the barren and broken places, on your limbs, remind me that you have
known that pain and that fear.
AND
you speak loudly to my heart...
I ..am still standing
and
so are YOU.

Thank you...Thank you..for lifting me up
and freeing me from fear.

Dear Family...

I love the way the colors of sky and clouds are mirrored in sister water.

I am intrigued by the unique patterning of rocks and stones.

Each of you claiming  your space to create and be

who you are.

You are a sharp contrast in texture and touch.

Sky's  soft and fluffy clouds,

offset by the solid and heavy of rocks and stones. 

I am drawn to you and I'm not quite sure why.

What is it, you want me to know of you, today?

An appreciation of differences, comes to mind.

We are the same...yet different,
numerous colors, clouds, waters, trees, rocks, stones and humans.

 Yet, we do not always appreciate the differences,
in ourselves or other family members.
Sameness seems safer.
Less risk.

The family gathered here, seems to be calling us
to a celebration of differences.
See and enjoy
that we are the same and different,
together
we create a more magnificent whole.!!

Thank you Family, for your celebration of differences,
May we all, come to a place where we can
truly SEE and ENJOY.

Dear Sky...

I am captivated by your flaming fire of light

as it streams across

your endless expanse.

I can't quite name what it is that you stir within me,

but it is deep and strong. 

The light of hope in the darkness..

The fire of LOVE vibrant and strong.

In the shelter of your light and love

we move

in peace and joy.

Thank you....

Keep me mindful of your sheltering presence

when darkness and fear 

overshadow your fire and light.

Dear Family... Sky..Soil..Sun..Rocks, Water.. Bird..

your coming together in this photo

fills me with AWE and JOY.

Simple and Elegant..

Bold and soft..

Dramatic and ordinary.

Be you sunrise or sunset

you gift us with your beauty

at the opening and closing

of each and every day!!

You invite us, to enter our day

and spend our day

wrapped in beauty.

Sadly...how often we do not even notice!

You remind us too,

that amid the dark

and the fear,

there IS beauty,
but..

We have to be willing to look for it!!

Then,
may we, like bird,
journey forward and onward
nourished and strong
because of our family members.

Dear Night Sky at Sunset..

Your beauty soothes me and calms me.

The soft blues, pinks and snow white.

The rich and deep orange flame.

As I looked at you

I almost laughed as I thought,

your colors reflect the ups and downs of my day.

The bold and bright to the dark and gray.

All a great painting of emotions and feelings

finding closure in the sunset.

May I have the courage to give thanks

and let this day go

anticipating the new dawn.

May I truly let it be 

A new Dawn

A new Day

A new Beginning.

And I can't say goodbye without giving thanks 

for the tall grounded presence of trees in the night.

I am in awe of your endurance...your silent stillness.

You remind me daily...that life goes on

change is a natural part of the journey.

And most of all, I am learning not to fear 

the darkness

but to find the jewel within it.

There was a time I would never even think

of finding a jewel in the darkness.

I have learned,

I may not see it right away

but if I am willing to look

I will find it.

Thank you.

Dear Clouds,

 You caught my attention initially. 

I was awed by your diversity, and the beautiful pattern you made across the delicate blue sky. 

I soon realized that your diversity and pattern were enhanced by the soft gold and pink light shining within you and around you.

Your beauty is magnified even more, by the still calm waters beneath you.

The bed of stones on the shore and stretching into the silent water, adds another whole dimension calling attention to you.

I think you all are reminding me of the gift of Community. 

Alone and together we share our gifts.

The beauty expressed here, would not be so,

without the gift and presence of each and 

every family member.

Thank you for that reminder.

 May we in the human family

come to know, love and appreciate both the beauty and richness of diversity

and the gift and power of Community.

Dear flaming sky,

You look like you could so easily melt all this  snow!!
I love the contrast of the dark land  and your orange white fire
mirrored in the expanse of water.
Winter snow and a seeming intense heat
 flowing across the water and the soft  blue sky.

Trees vulnerable barren branches, allow for an almost unobstructed view
of your blended sky colors as they leave their own mix of dark line
messages written across the sky.

And of course I'm intrigued, by the solid dark shapes within direct view.
Stones, I say. but I really do not know for sure!!

As I ponder your beauty, you bring to mind the word
Contrasts..
Hot and cold...light and dark..barren and full
wet and dry
All of these within one particular view.

Each has its beauty and gift
if I am willing to take the time
to listen and choose to see.

I smile, as you remind me, that each day, where ever I choose to focus,
is Mother Earth's message of love and growth!!!
Wow..Wow..Wow..

Dear Golden Yellow sunshine

I love your vibrant color,

your intricate edges,

your beautifully patterned center,

 your gentle dark smudge,

and the clear bubbles of rain resting on your petals.

I am amazed at the large number of petals 

in your family circle

 and the deep green leaves

 that provide a backdrop for you. 

You remind me, that the stem, that holds you up

and supports you, is not even visible!!

You truly reflect, golden yellow sunshine,

gently holding your sister rain drops

as you share the fullness of YOU.

 YOU bring joy and delight 

and I thank you.

You have intrigued me, with the reminder 

that stem...your basic and key support, 

is predominantly hidden.

How many supportive and vital family members 

 often remain predominantly hidden?

Hidden, because I choose not to see?

or 

Hidden because I am not aware?

ENERGY OF LOVE ..SOURCE..MYSTERY.. CREATOR...ALL THAT IS

is in one sense, predominantly hidden.

and yet in another 

IS MADE VISIBLE  IN ALL THAT IS!!

How AWESOME AND WONDERFUL!!

Thank you Golden Sunshine

for sharing your beauty

and opening my eyes

to being more attentive

 to 

 the hidden and vital life supports I take for granted

or do not even consider.