Spritual Journey Thursday: Service, Poetry Friday, and an Invitation

Lent is a 40-day solemn season for Christians.  During this time, prayer and fasting are traditions. As a child, I fasted without chocolate (a luxury for me), but over the years, I learned that praying and helping others are key. The beautiful ceremony of Holy Thursday becomes a day of service, serving, and humility.

This month's Spiritual Journey Thursday is hosted by our teacher/poet, Ruth Hersey. She chose the word "service" as our theme, based on the ceremony of Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday's washing of the feet ritual. 

My son, sister, and I attended the Holy Thursday evening ceremony at St. John Neuwmann's Church tonight. Upon arrival, the washing of the feet stations were set up in six areas of the church. I was amazed by the large choir, beautiful voices, and an orchestra. My husband would have been equally surprised when learning that his name appeared on the bulletin and was also mentioned during the solemn Mass. 

A year has passed since his memorial mass on April 2, 2025. I am grateful for  Pastor Father Michael Murray, who sent me a beautiful Mass card stating that my husband would be honored at the 2026 Holy Thursday service. I also thank Father Sleeva, who provided a beautiful memorial service last year for Richard, and will be at the Holy Thursday Mass.

On April 2, 2026, I started to reflect on this beautiful piece of artwork, Washing of the Feet Ceremony. Please read the nonet poem below ( refreshed and refined since 2023).

Christ Washing the Disciples’ Feet. by  Rembrandt van Rijn(between 1640-1650) with a reed pen and brown ink. Some areas were deliberately rubbed with a wet finger or wet brush, framing lines in greyish-brown ink ©Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

On Serving

Jesus came to serve, not to be served.

As a great leader, He acted

with gentle, loving kindness

and caring for others.

Through His clear actions,

He modeled how 

to offer

love to

us.

©CVarsalona, 2026

As I continue to work on restoring my soul and reviving my heart, I hope that love will be my special tool. Realizing that there is a season and time for birth and a time to die, planting seeds of love and hope will renew my life in every part. (Ideas and words come from Ecclesiastes 3 and the song, Restore My Heart.)

Thursday was a day of memories, service, and peaceful intentions for my husband. I joined the Creekside Cares committee to create small bouquets for 15 hospice rooms at the Adler House and vases of flowers for 6 neighbors. It is the place of repose that my husband was transported to last year. I remember the tears, shock, and last rites given to Richard as his body lay in the room that overlooked the meditation garden. He was quiet but not alone. My daughter and I were at his bedside with the nurses. I continue to reflect upon that night., I realize that there were many caregivers and spiritual leaders who offered their service to bring peace into the silence of a room. Service is the kindness we give to others, as was shown during the Holy Thursday Mass. The priest who said the mass spoke of the ceremony as the washing of feet love. What we can do for others is not only providing a service but fill it with love, as indicated at the ceremony. 

With sincerity, I pray that the light of Holy Week will wash away some worries, increase love, and bring peace to other families who have deceased relatives that need remembrance.

Spiritual Journey Thursday

hosted by Ruth Hersey

April 3, 2026's Poetry Friday is hosted

by the marvelous, award-winning poet Matt Forrest Esenwine.

Matt is celebrating the book anniversary of his 12th book, a beautiful children's anthology, A Universe of Rainbows, with a star list of fabulous poets. 

INVITATION during National Poetry Month

Join me this April as I look back on my Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Spring Seeds, which was originally unveiled in July of 2016. (Yes, time passes swiftly.) If interested, please write a poem and/or add a photo regarding Spring Seeds Grace April and post it on the new padlet. (https://padlet.com/cvarsalona/spring-seeds-grace-april-iqgitngvyfqwch7b) I will gather the gifts of verse to create a new gallery of artistic expressions. Perhaps, you will find one of your poems or photos residing in the 2016 Gallery (click the link on the 1st line of the invitation).

Let your imagination take you on a journey throughout National Poetry Month.

Spring Seeds Grace April

 April 1st arrives with a bit of foolery. In the early morning hours, I witness nature's transformation. The beautiful buds on my dwarf cherry tree blossomed a few days earlier, as if they were announcing the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. But, as fast as the blossoms bloomed, the tree lost its gorgeous softness of color. 

Mother Nature often surprises us with its timing. Recently, last year's pansies popped with wonder in my outside vase. Nature whispered a welcome greeting to the new season of Spring. I paused to praise the season and reflect. I, like nature, weathered many winter storms this past year. I grieved over loss, felt the pangs of hurt, and experienced fatigue, but there is something different floating in the air now. Springtime opened with blooming trees. Colors that turned from winter white to a dirty grayish hue in March waited for spring to share its runway of colors and open the doors to growth and inspiration.

Now spring seeds grace April as witnessed by my pansies unfolding and surprising me with their persistence from one year to the next. Pansies not only welcomed the season, but they also reminded me to prepare the soil of my heart for the seed of grace to germinate. 

I pray that this season will move me to a new level of growth while unleashing the grief that is deep inside. As a sliver of sunshine offers respite, some anxiety eases, and I hope for a transformation like nature's movement from winter to spring. 

April 1st marks the opening of National Poetry Month's 30th Anniversary. I will celebrate along with fellow poetry writers. Words and emotions will pop as spring seeds grace April. I shall write, read, and photograph nature's pathway through the month as my muse whispers to me and seeds of verse pop up. The richness of the soil and the germination of seeds will bring a level of calmness. 

INVITATION

Join me this April as I look back on my Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Spring Seeds, which was unveiled in July of 2016.  If interested, write a poem and/or add a photo regarding spring seeds gracing April. I will gather these gifts of verse and create a new gallery of artistic expressions. Perhaps, you will find one of your poems or photos residing in the 2016 gallery. 

Let your imagination take you on a journey throughout National Poetry Month.

2016

Whispering Ink

🔏

spring seeds scatter

across palates of color

gracing our world

soft whispers of words respond

bouquets of blossoms in verse

©CVarsalona, 2026

The Annual Slicer Party is Here!

What better way to end the Two Writing Teachers SOLSC 2026 than with a Leigh Anne Eck's Annual Party! I have an invitation but I am not ready to join in. I have today to pack my bag, decide what to wear, and join slicers. I hope some of my writer friends will be there. 

slicer parties are a must

bring your bag with fancy stuff

an analog party awaits

 no electronics at the gate

poetry journal goes with me

how about a cup of tea

gel pens are my latest rage

different formats for every page

oh I am eager to meet some friends

sad to see the challenge end

thank you Leigh Anne for an invite

you make my preparation bright

this party is an annual treat

so join with me so we can meet

©CVarsalona, 2026

quick writem rhyming poem

💮

What to Bring

one analog bag will do

with many treats not a few

a decorated journal 

for small, wispy kernals

I shall write to you, my love

even though you are above

shall I bring my newest books

to read alone in cozy nooks

and bring a floral bouquet

for our host on this last day

©CVarsalona, 2026

my list poem turned into a quick writem rhyming poem

💮

With every party there is an ending. Today marks the conclusion of the SOLSC 2026 

Day 31, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers 

Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for the space you offer every year during March. It is always a pleasure to meet with reflective writers throughout the world.

Until I meet slicers on #SOL26 Tuesdays, I bid you goodbye.

Happy Spring Holidays to All

Friendship Is a Garden

Friendship is like a lasting garden through the years of life. It requires care, patience and time to blossom. Nature nurtures the garden each season so it flourishes. 

This month, friendships blossomed from one slice to the next. Some were new flowers springing forth, and others were deep-seated perennials. My garden was filled with peace and calming thoughts. The sun and earth supported my beds even though there were difficult climate changes. Yet, my garden of friendship weathered each moment as a lasting garden of strength. 

Gardens need care as spring sprouts. They need watering and weeding. Friendships need nourishment also. Both gardens and friendships grow over time. Trees become rooted and blossoms appear in different seasons, making for a diverse group of beauty. The Slice of Life community is a wonder-filled garden of friendship. Each slice appears as a flower of growing beauty. 

While my garden took time to battle through weather changes this year, it remains. I ask each flowering plant to honor the season of spring and blossom when possible at Two Writing Teachers' community. Imagine what beauty will appear in a garden of words. 

Dear Friends, each day of March you honor my garden with your strength and perseverance. May your new slices become seeds of growth in the garden of life. 

Drawf Cherry Tree 2026

stalwart you stand

testament to life

nature's bounty

©CVarsalona, Virginia, 2026

🌸

It is cherry blossom season in Virginia. I was pleasantly surprised when my dward tree opened its blossoms this past weekend. I am equally pleased that Two Writing Teachers' gardens overflowed with beautiful blossoms this month. While I was unable to write each day, reading your blossoming slices brought the gift of friendship into my garden. Thank you, slicers, for making this challenge a lovely garden of resilience and beauty. 

🌸

My

for March 30, 2026

Allured by Nature

As a former Wonderopolis Ambassador, I am awed by the wonder in nature each season. A few weeks ago, my youngest grandgirl was enjoying a sleepover at Grandma's house. We decided to stroll outside for a short nature walk. The air was chilly, and the sky was a grayish color, but that didn't matter. We were wonder buddies "on the lookout for the presence of wonder" (E. B. White). We headed for the pond, hoping to see the ducks waddling in the water or the baby turtles slowly moving. 

Lila, let's find something that makes us smile.

Sure, Grandma!

Off we went to the bench to sit and quietly watch waterlife. All of a sudden, we spotted a huge turtle lodged by the bench.  Lila wanted to approach the massive turtle. Usually, when she sees an animal, she steps back and hangs on to an adult. This time she smiled. She was interested in the green beads around the turtle's neck. 

I wonder where the turtle came from? I never noticed it before?

As soon as I said that,  Lila was ready to climb on the turtle. 

Are you surprised by the size of the turtle? Did you think a child would want to ride an animal like this? Would you expect a Grandma to place her little one on a turtle? 

Perhaps, only if the turtle were a statue and perfectly safe, like this one. Needless to say, the HOA Committee placed this turtle next to two benches near the pond for a wonder-filled experience.

Day 29 for #SOLSC26 Challenge

at Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for reflective writers

around the world

 

Winter Always Turns to Spring

As winter turns to spring, I feel time fleeting by. I remember persevering during the winter months, as difficult as that was. Each day, I found one small way to unwrap twisted yarns. With bereavement counseling and support from my therapist, I walked away from each session with a spirit of hope. 

Time is fleeting. It floats through peaks and valleys. Nature moves backwards, then forwards. The sunshine of spring turns to pounding rain today. Somehow, it is therapeutic as it roars and then subsides into the darkness of morning. Nature nurtures my soul. Winter turns to spring. In its magical space of sunshine covered over by the grey of rain, I find hope floating in the air. Grief comes and goes like fleeting time. 

I ponder how I can poetically explain grief as it pours itself over me on dark days that transform into spring's warmth. I lean on spiritual faith and the power of nature to nurture and restore my grieving soul.

This month's Poetry Sisters challenge seems to be an overwhelming project for me. As I write, feelings flash in my heart. Yet, I try to make sense of my ravelled thoughts to create an Ovillejos poem that asks us to write tight little bundles of poetry. Tanita S. Davis explains the format. I thank her for the #PoetryPals invitation and the lovely graphic she added above.

"This Spanish poem bundles ten lines, made up of 3 rhyming couplets interspersed with three verrry short lines, and a quatrain. The last line is a redondilla, a little round that collects all three short lines and casts off the poem, as it were."

FLEETING TIME (Format List)

1. How does time slip away each day? (8syllables)  

2..It finds a way. (short answer)

3. Does time have power over me? (8 syllables)
4. Love lasts. (short answer)
5. Is there a balm for every soul? (8 syllables)
6. To make us whole. (short answer)

7. hough grieving moments spike, fade, roll, (summaring quatrain starts. 

8. Fleeting hours drift, I don't stray. 

9. My heart endures with hope I pray. 

10. Find a way. Love lasts. Make me whole.

 

So "winter always turns to spring" is a phrase I shall remember. The words of Nichiren Daishonin remind me that difficult times, such as this winter, reminds me to persevere because there will always be days that lead to better, brighter moments. On the positive side of time, I add this quote by Sophia Dembling from Psychology Today's Personal Perspective, "Grief and the Passage of Time". 

"Time is our friend in that it is the only thing that can dull the sharp edge of grief, although it can't end our grief, which is forever."

*********************************

The Poetry Friday Roundup is a wonder of challenges today. Besides it being the end of the month Poetry Sisters' Challenge, our Poetry Friday host, Marcie Flinchum Atkins is celebrating twilight. Her newest book, When Twilight Comes, is coming out on March 31st. Teachers and librarians can find activity copies for the book at her blog site. 

Marcie also invited readers to send a favorite photo of twilight and/or write a poem to celebrate twilight with her. 

***************************************

I am also celebrating the opening of springtime with the Two Writing Teachers, a meeting place for a world of reflective teachers. 

Day 27 for #SOLSC26 Challenge

A Different Type of Birthday

Death is not extinguishing the light.

It is only putting out the light because the dawn has come.

Rabindranath Tagore

For Richard

Time passes quietly. 

Silence fills the room.

This is your day of days.

I pause in the stillness of

Your heavenly presence

Warming morning's chill.

A slice of cake awaits.

This is your day of days.

You may not be here, but 

Your heart is leaning in.

❤

© CVarsalona, March 25, 2026

• Note: Today is a solemn day, a different type of birthday. You are here in spirit. We honored your heavenly birthday on Sunday at the little grandgirls' house. All three children placed the candles on the cake, and Sierra decorated the label with your name, Grandpa. Then, the family sang the birthday song and I took photos. My heart is my gift to you...
• 
  
• 
  
  

My

for March 25, 2026

The Doorway Effect

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you walked into it?  I am one person who does this many times a day. My Poetry Friday friend, Donna Smith, sent a Facebook message and a reel that explored the topic of forgetting, and the importance of spoken words. Click the Facebook message above and listen to Kyle Cox's quick reel. Thank you, Donna, for sharing the Doorway Effect. 

What's the fix for walking into a room and forgetting what you are looking for? According to Kyle Cox verbal tagging is key. Here is another reel by Kyle with an additional fix.  Click here. 

I'm ready. Before walking into a room, I will say out loud why I am entering. For instance, I left my room with several piles of paper. The electric heater was on. When I came back to continue working, I found the heater on because I forgot. At least I remembered that I had paperwork to do. 

Since I read Donna's Facebook message, I have been reading as much as I can about the doorway effect. I am going to try the tips. Hopefully, I will remember why I enter a room, rather than just staring dumbfounded.

Laugh for the Day

PINTEREST MEME

What do you think about the doorway effect?

Is it a reality for you?

Day 24, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers

Love Is Never Lost

 With St. Patrick's Day still on my mind and only a few days to my husband's birthday, I dream of laughter, nighttime, and meeting my love in my "deep heart's core". While there was both joy and sadness this week, the family celebrated with a St. Patrick's Day dinner. We thought about Grandpa, who would have enjoyed watching the grandgirls scurry about during the scavenger hunt. Two previous blogs, Happy St. Patrick's Day and Dressed In Green. 

Love Is Never Lost

Over the laughing land   

Andwhere the sky’s a pale blue cup,

at night, on the edge of sleep,

shadows fall;ing

everythingwa's simmering.  

My love and I did meet;

bid me take life easy.

As the leaves grow on the tree,

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore.

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Searching for the last sight of a hand,

I imagine

silently climbing a cloud-lit sky.

 The Words will flow to St. Patrick's Day,

this emerald gem.

Sweet, there is nothing left to say

But this, that love is never lost.

cento poem created by CVarsalona, 2026

The lines in the poem come from the Poetry Foundation's

St. Patrick's Poetry Collection.

 Lines 1-2       Song by James Joyce 

      Lines 3-4       The Lost Land by Evan Boland

Lines 5-6       Corned Beef and Cabbage by George Bilgere

Lines 7-8       Down By the Salley Gardens by William Butler Yeats

      Lines 9-10      The Lake of Innisfree by William Butler Yeasts

Line 11-12      The Lost Land by Evan Boland

Line 13         Dawn at St. Patrick's Day by Derek Mahon

      Line 14         St. Patrick's Day by Eliza Cook

Line 15         St. Patrick's Day: With a Shamrock 

                by Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna 

     Line 16-17      Her Voice by Oscar Wilde

*******************

I am sharing my thoughts with two writing communities I am associated with. 

Poetry Friday

Tanita S. Davis is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today at her blog site here. She offers powerful thoughts on songs of protest with the theme, Comfort in Community. Tanita asks us to "Hold on to who you are, what you know to be right, and how you live - with open hands, helping your neighbor and community, and uplifting sanity and kindness."

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Day 20, March 2026

 12th year with Two Writing Teachers