What's On My Heart and In My Spirit!

Prompt for August's Spiritual Journey:

What is on your heart and in your spirit?

Linda Mitchell, the host of August's Spiritual Journey Thursday, invited the Spiritual Journey community to reflect upon what we felt today. Since my life is still unpredictable, I will start with what happens in my real world. I often need to juggle my thoughts based on issues, challenges, or appointments. Let's start with the:

Evening Disturbance & Morning Thoughts

 

While reading this morning, I discovered a light on the virtual path. I would like to say that I tossed grief aside, but in reality, grief never goes away. With my one word, "restore," on my side, the Bible verse below confirms that my broken heart and spirit will be restored in my spiritual journey.

DailyVerses.Net

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What's On My Heart and In My Spirit!

On sunkissed days

I breathe in summer air, 

Pause, then listen to the call

Of my grieving heart and spirit.

I breathe in summer air and 

Clear what's causing confusion within.

My grieving heart and spirit

Accept the challenge to let go of fear and doubt.

Clear what's causing confusion within.

Divine Truth will restore my life in every part,

Accept the challenge to let go of fear and doubt.

With this, I shall walk a renewed path.

Divine Truth will restore me in every part.

Calmness will bring a crown of peace.

With this, I shall walk a renewed path,

On sunkissed days

©CVarsalona, 2026, Pantoum

Photos at Adler Hospice Center, A Place of Peace

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evening light glows

layered in peace

tranquility speaks

©CVarsalona, 2026, haiku and photo

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Since I did not finish the Poetry Sisters' Challenge last week, I decided to add this post to the Poetry Friday Roundup. 

 

Good Night Spiritual Journey Sojourners and Poetry Friday Colleagues!

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Sea Scattering Remembrance

"To the waters and the wild-I leave you not in sorrow, but in love." 

Sea Scattering Remembrance

on a sunkissed day of memories

tiny feet mark morning sand

seawater sparkles in sunshine

little grandgirls quietly wait  

tiny feet mark morning sand

a tranquil ceremony begins

little grandgirls quietly wait 

gentle waters offer solace

a tranquil ceremony begins

seasparkles illuminate the ocean

gentle waters offer solace

our heavy hearts sigh

seasparkles illuminate the ocean

peaceful waters move closer to shore

our heavy hearts sigh

tiny hands watch and wait

peaceful waters move closer to shore

grandgirls tiptoe forward

tiny hands wait their turn

on this sea scattering morning

grandgirls tiptoe toward the tide

light sweeps across the ocean

on this sea scattering morning

we honor Grandpa's endearing love

light sweeps across the ocean

in tribute to what was

we honor Grandpa's endearing love

his story remains in our hearts

©CVarsalona, Summer 2026

"Let the gentle rocking of the ocean carry you away. You are loved, you are cherished, you are deeply missed."

Note: The above quote and the opening one are signed anonymously. AI states that the first quote "adapts phrasing from W. B. Yeats' poem, "The Stolen Child".

The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Tanita S. Davis, who is enjoying the excitement of new publications and a reminder that the Poetry Sisters will open the door to a new challenge for next week. Click here to read her blog and many others in today's Poetry Friday. 

Light on the Pathway

On one specific night when a torrential rainstorm arrived, my landscape lamps froze and stopped shining.  The darkness was overwhelming, not just in its reality but in the emotion that I felt. Grief rushed in as rain poured from the darkened sky. I sat inside writing, remembering the stillness of sunlit afternoons and the beauty of nature glowing against the light. The darkness was haunting. The discomfort of grief created a dark moment. I needed faith to calm my soul. One Bible verse from John 1:5 offered solace. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." With this thought, I leaned on faith, remembering that God's light has led me through many darkened paths, providing hope.   

be of good faith

in life's darkened corners

thy Light leads me on

©CVarsalona, 2026

This blog post is an extension of last week's Poetry Friday blog, Light Unto My Path, based on Kim Johnson's prompt. Due to the hectic weekend, my post with two poems ended being shared on Saturday morning. Below you will find my digital art pantoum poem with a sunrise photo captured by my son from my blog.

This week, Jill Dailey, our host of Poetry Friday is inviting us to her creative Summer Camp. I enjoyed watching Jill's video on how to create a zine. Since I never worked with paper to make one, I am eager to do so.

A Light Unto My Path

On the first Thursday of each month, the Spiritual Journey writers gather together to compose their thoughts on the prompt of the month. On this Thursday, the teacher-poet, Kim Johnson, is hosting with the theme,  A Light Unto My Path. I have reflected for several days on how I should create this blog post. I poured through several homilies and podcasts of Father Mike Schmitz, a devout and energized priest and speaker. I also searched songs related to the spiritual journey and light. The reflective times I spent reading opened a path of peace. 

There are many aspects on how Christian singers, songwriters, clergy, and writers form their offerings but one photograph captured by my son, Derek, provided the start I needed. Within his photo, I not only found the beauty of dawn but observed angel formations fluttering in the clouds. This gave me pause, as did the songs that I gathered, poems I read, and spiritual leaders offering their input on Psalm 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and alight unto my path." 

As I turn my reflections into poetic thoughts, I listen to Amy Grant's beautiful song of praise, "Thy Word." It is a soothing, lift-me-up song that you can listen to by clicking here. With songs of faith and hope, I find myself in a calming state.

✒

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illumination

on my spiritual journey

a pathway to peace

Divine Radiance's gift

"Let (the) light shine out darkness"

©CVarsalona, 2026

(last line is from 2 Corinthians 4:6)

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Thank you to Jan Annino for hosting Poetry Friday at Bookseedstudio. Her blog shares an interesting title, Chill, and showcases a gorgeaous photo sharing a moment of cool pool indulgence. 

A Slice of the 4th of July

We owe our independence

to others who paved the initial way:

heros,heroines,Founding Fathers, and patriots.

LET'S CONTINUE TO↓

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July?

My family

CELEBRATES independence each year

in style with homemade cookies!

This year the chocolate chip cookies are colored blue with chocolate frosting. The house is decorated inside and outside.

You may ask how my little grandgirls celebrated while at my house?

They enjoyed swimming in the pool.

They met new children who were with their grandparents.

They had a delicious barbecue,

and sang a song they rehearsed the night before,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

But there is more:

they wished for ice cream

at the new ice cream store.

Each child, plus adults tried different yummy flavors.

🎆

My Wish For All Children and Students:

To grow into honorable citizens who uphold the Constitution,

create plans for a better tomorrow, and memories for the future.

So, let's ignite the

American Spirit 

Authentic voices 

Make noise as they

Embark on

Roads ahead-

If freedom devotees

Commit, they will rise

As responsive Americans ready for 

    Next Steps 

Positive approaches that

Inspire students to

Reach out 

Ignite the flame

To make more noise

draft CVarsalona, 2025-26, acrostic poem 

Two Writing Teachers

4th of July 2026 Semiquincentennial

While the photo below dates back to the 4th of July 2024, it is a symbol  of my family's tradition. Each year, we watched the firework celebrations live with family and friends or on television. One year, when my children were young, we traveled to New York City for the firework display by Macy's. The area for spectators was filled with many families who all had just enough space for four people. While the firework display was magnificent, we felt cramped. 

Years that followed were enjoyed in our hometown where we felt more comfortable. The famous Grucci Firework Company on Long Island, always displayed a magnificent show. The symphony orchestra always played on the bandstand, and families gathered in picnic style. Each celebration was held on  a separate day than the 4th of July. This allowed our family and others to watch the Macy's celebration on Independence Day. 

family gathers

America celebrates

freedom sparkles rise

©CVarsalona, 2026, photo from 2024

dazzling fireworks

dart into evening sky

pop, whizz, sizzle

like popcorn kernels bursting

showstopper entertainment

©CVarsalona, 2022

We always celebrate in style with homemade cookies!

This year the chocolate chip cookies are colored blue with chocolate frosting and the house is decorated inside and outside.

My little grandgirls are tucked away in their lovely room in my house waiting to enjoy a pre-4th of July celebration. Tomorrow, their parents will come over for a pool day, dinner, and ice cream. The youngest two understand that the USA will have a birthday so they already started singing Happy Birthday America. My oldest grandgirl (9) informed me that she learned about the Revolutionary War that led to the birth of American independence. 

"Miss Liberty, at Dawn's First Peep, Awakes the Echoes from Their Sleep"
(Original Postcard from early 1900)


Flag of the United States Semiquincentennial celebration

Ignite the American Spirit  (for our students)
      Authentic voices 
      Make noise as they
      Embark on 
      Roads ahead  
      If freedom devotees
     Commit they will rise
     As responsive Americans ready for
     Next steps:
     Shape outcomes with
     Positive approaches
     Inspire students to
     Reach out with concerns
     Ignite the flame
    To make more noise
     draft CVarsalona, July 4th, 2025

It is Poetry Friday and our host, Michelle Kogan, invites us to the Roundup. Her blog post 4th of July Justice, shares her artwork, poetry, and songs. Please click here to read Michelle's blog and other poets' blogs.

June Is...

June is ending today with fanfare since it shares two joyful seasons, late spring and early summer. June's sunrises opened with a centering feeling, a tribute to nature. Sunsets energized watchers, even when the sky was gray. There is vibrancy in the month of June, as if a seamstress dressed it in style.

Click here to listen to the lively song, "June Hymn".

June Is...

June enters like brides

with bouquets of spring florals

nature's peak blooms

June is earth's

love song composed

with nature's hands.

June is spring's 

bountiful gift of love

to spark each day

June is also

summer's turn to join in

with heated glory

©CVarsalona, 2026

The above poem is inspired by Patience Strong's quote:

"June is a love song written by nature."

Click here to listen to the song, "June Hymn".

As June passes by, remember:

June smells like bouquets of vivid blossoms,

is the garland-decorated gateway to summer

that is precious so honor June's entrance.

Hint: Don't forget sun lotion!

On the last day of June, be of good spirit.

The temperature in Virginia is going to create the summer sweat.

It's time to take a summerscape!

On this beautifully lit day filled with sunshine and heat, I offer my blog post

to Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for reflective writers around the globe.