True as the trees….
I skipped a week, didn’t I,
and haven’t told you yet how you made my birthday bright.
So bright (palms clasped).
I hope you can hear the warm thanks in my voice as I write.
You mean a million sweet somethings to me.
I’ve been walking,
a kind of winter walkabout.
It started as a trail of frozen tears
but took me deeper into the wild and I discovered some buried joy
as cold pale violet sunshine and howling roar of river
cut through rock and ice to heal some wounds been haunting me.
You see, the turn of year found my mind a nervous little fury,
stalking solution like a hungry beast,
the bare bones of my soul exposed,
a naked tree creaking in the wind.
So I’ve been walking it out,
listening, listening,
holding the whispers,
feeling the true of it,
leaning into love
that’s holding gentle onto me
And here I am at season’s end
wrapped in the soft grace of peace again,
the feel of my small hand in the warm embrace of a larger, steady one;
it’s enough that I’m simply held
and I feel it in my wintery places, those arms around me snug
and safe like the grownup voices sang
while my little girl eyes traced colorful glass drenched in sunshine
and thought it funny why a soul would make a song
about leaning on arms that lasted forever
and how it swept me into wonder.
I feel it now, belly deep and center,
right where my heart grabs hold of life and squeezes it dear,
and I’m leaning hard and honest the whole of me
into tender arms that loved and held me first
and it feels true as the trees
and I believe it’s solid all the more.
“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe
in what we cannot see, and the strength to let go
our fear of uncertainty.”
-Brene Brown
Walking, listening, leaning… What could be better?
That song holds a precious memory for me. Mom flew away to heaven as we sang “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.
What a beautiful place to walk! I’d love to join you.
Keep leaning…
Walking among the big trees, that’s some of the best healing times. I’m so glad you’ve kept your heart open and smart enough to know when to lean … lots of strong arms around.
xo
Been doing my own ‘walkabout’ in the interior of my soul, some places are pretty broken up, others parched, still something grows there, lets call it hope…as always your word imagery moves me my friend
Wow. Your writing digs deep into my soul…just beautiful.
I think we all secretly make songs about strong arms holding us forever. Love is always the answer. And through your pictures and words, I feel love’s embrace, strong and steady and faithful. ♥
Faith is indeed a mystery. I do find walking it out is so helpful — it gives one the whole of the sky to think. I’m not too fond of doing that at this time of year up here, and I’m glad you can bundle but walk where you see dry paths and green and sunrises and sunsets.
Jennifer, your words so well describes how many of us feel at times.
In each of our lives, we holds so many mysteries and hidden pockets of painful moments that bubbles up to the surface sometimes without warnings. After the fury has passed, at times like this, how comforting to feel the loving warm embrace of strong arms to hold us. No words are needed. Just the warm loving feeling settles our troubled soul and we reclaim our sunken faith once again.
Thanks so much for your comment, I always feel richer after your visit to my blog.
Warm rays of sunshine and love to you dear Jennifer.
Hugs,
JB
I missed your birthday but I never miss the blessing of your beautiful, knowing words. Happy Birthday – thanks for sharing your light!
happy birthday jen. i love the header you have here.
ah so it’s tree mind is it?
hold it as long as it is
then return comforted
Yes faith. How can you explain it to someone who has none?
Hope your sadness has gone back to quiet place.
sending love your way…..
Jennifer, your words always seem to express what is in my heart, but I can’t. This especially made me say “yes”…
“And here I am at season’s end
wrapped in the soft grace of peace again,
the feel of my small hand in the warm embrace of a larger, steady one;”
isn’t it wonderful when you take a listening and seeking walk and right before you and surprisingly in the next moment, something extra special and beautiful is right before your eyes….As if it was put there just for You? I know God does that for me when I am really aware and watching. Even in this bitter cold weather here in Indiana, you Jennifer have me now ready to take a nature walk with my camera. Thank you! I’m so sorry I missed wishing you a happy birthday on your special day. Here is to an awesome Happy Birthday year Jennifer. (we should exchange numbers and talk on the phone sometime)
Love and Hugs,
Lee Ann
You are able to speak the words that ramble around in my heart; ones I can’t seem to express but once I read yours I instantly connect. You truly have a God given talent of using words to comfort others. I am so grateful for you….Hugs sis
Dear Jen,
I’ve been very busy so almost no time to check some blogs… however I took some time to visit yours today and hope you have received the little gift I’ve send you through mail some weeks ago. If you haven’t received anything, please let me know…and I’ll ship something new. 🙂
Hope you find faith in daily life, always.
Lindsay
I agree with Nancy the way you write just sinks deeps and I instantly connect. I especially love this line today as I read them “wrapped in the soft grace of peace again,”. That’s what I need for these rambling thoughts of mine.
Your deep musings and the way you express them just move me so much, Jennifer. This entry brought me back to the experience of my young self being so trusting in my faith, an innocence that I cannot seem to retrieve in adulthood. But reading about your journey gives me hope.
I hope that all is well with you, dear one. I have to say, from reading the comments on your posts, you have the most tender hearted and perceptive readers. I’m happy to have a place among them.
I am feeling some deep longing or maybe pain Jennifer that you are working through…I hope your journey is healing….I felt your deep emotion in your amazing words and images.
I am feeling some deep longing or maybe pain Jennifer that you are working through…I hope your journey is healing….I felt your deep emotion in your amazing words and images.
hi Jennifer <3
I'm going to figure out how to make my blog so that it doesn't have that 'no reply' feature…..but wanted to, per your request, make a visit here too and hopefully get your blog back on my blog list (I only see it as an email these days….)
so wish a little luck to this technology dinosaur over here : )
Elizabeth~*
Yes yes! The gentle whispers as in a kiss upon our hearts and souls.
your words as always are SOO beautiful…love to re-read your poems 2-3, even 4 times!
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