Blossoming on the Spiritual Journey

Welcome to May's Spiritual Journey Thursday!

I enter the lovely month of May with hope, although my heart is filled with grief.

I dedicate today's blog and poems to my husband, Richard, who loved trees blooming with various shades of color, especially our magnolia specimens and the dwarf cherry tree. I patiently watch for more blooming during this month. 

This year, my spiritual journey has felt like a rough road with lots of gravel to step over. Yet, a well-known quote by the Japanese poet Kohayashi Issa gives me hope as I traverse the roads ahead.

A world of grief and pain. Flowers bloom, even then.

Issa's words center on the themes of resilience and hope. Springtime opens the world to beauty despite suffering, sorrow, and world chaos. It is up to me to believe in the nurturing of nature and the power of faith during this time of bereavement. What once was surreal has now become a reality. I know I need to lean on my family and present and past communities of friends for support. Marcel Proust stated that we should "be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." 

Psalm 37:3-5 Tells me to trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."  

My heart desires to be calm and be of good faith. When I signed up to host the Spiritual Journey, I felt blossoming would be an appropriate theme for May since it connotes a renewal, a new beginning, and personal growth. I did not think that I would face the sudden death of my husband and go through a period of grief. I understand the future will be difficult without my partner, but I know I must move forward with hope. 

I often write about the beauty of life. For this poem, I decided to find a format that I have not tried. I chose the Japanese kouta poem. According to AI, this poem is "about ordinary life focusing on the beauty and significance of everyday moments and experiences". It contains a quatrain with the syllable count of 7, 7, 7, 5 or 7, 5, 7, 5. 

Somewhere in heaven, you sit

with the blossoming flowers

Please pick a bouquet for me

like you did on earth.

©CVarsalona, 2025, kouta poem

Ramona Behnke, a Spiritual Journey writer, reminded me of a quote I wrote.

"Writing is the opening of my heart to the whispers of my soul."

The above statement is what I feel tonight.

Calmness surrounds me.

I know Richard's suffering is over.

I sit alone, grateful for the gift of writing

Sam Cooke's song, That's Heaven To Me, plays in the background.

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul."

-Henry Ward Beecher

I send bouquets of gratitude to all of the Spiritual Journey Thursday writers.

You are a truly supportive, faith-filled group.

May we all benefit from the blossoming of nature and

our own personal growth during the merry month of May.

I look forward to reading each person's Spiritual Journey blog post.

Please add your blog below whenever it is ready.

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Opening a New Door - Spiritual Journey

It's Spiritual Journey Thursday with our host, Bob Hamera (aka arjeha). He reminds us that when God closes one door, He opens another. It is up to us to recognize the new door and go through it. Thank you Bob for the questions you provided for us to be aware of the roadblocks in our life and proceed with steadfastness.

After mulling over Bob's questions, I mentally listed the abrupt challenges that occurred during different seasons of my life. While these times were difficult, I hung on to hope. New pathways to renew life evolved. Each time gratitude filled my heart. God was with me through every challenge.

Walking on the Edge of Darkness

Life moves in seasons.

Sometimes I walk

Joyfully along the road.

Other times I trip,

Lost in a tangled maze 

Darkened by mishap.

Sunset's shades close.

Tears puddle.

Heart blackens.

Wonderings wander

in a swirl of heavy clouds.

Where is the light? I often ask.

Doubt jumps in but

Faith widens a pathway

Shimmying in silence

Under an inked sky.

Sometimes, a path is unclear.

I pause to recalibrate.

Stars gather with

Enough brilliance,

Leading the way

To a bright new day.

Only the Master Artist

Creates new walkways.

draft ©CVarsalona, 2025

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 30: 31) 

With this promise in mind, I send a song of gratitude into the universe.

Logo designed by Margaret Simon

Time To Be Thankful

Yesterday, I walked out into a darker-than-usual sky. Fresh leaves were strewn across the lawn and tucked away in the corners of my car. I quickly dashed for the inside of my car as the rain continued to flow and an unusual coolness was felt. I paused to enjoy a slow-down moment not because it is National Gratitude Month but because it is uplifting to be one with nature and the beauty of the Earth. Ralph Waldo Emerson offered a touch of uplifting gratitude.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude."

With Thanksgiving almost here, the cookies baked for this weekend's Friendsgiving, and my little grandgirls visiting on Sunday, I feel blessed beyond measure. My house is ready to give thanks as is nature.

Mary Lee Hahn invited poets to write a #haikuforhealing. Since our mixed-up world, needs healing on many fronts I decided to join in. My thoughts begin with autumn sharing its last breath.

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Now it is time for me to join Poetry Friday with our host, Karen Edmisten, who sends us a poem that we all need and this thought: "Hug each other, stand for what is right and good, and keep creating and embracing beauty."

Good Morning World!

This year, summer floats on heated air with temperatures rising to 100 degrees. Weather is the topic of many discussions. I join in but rather reflect on finding positivity in nature's offerings.

A couple of months ago, I wished that I could enjoy earth's blooming spring days but I was filled with worry. I stood alone in a hospital room wishing to see the bright colors of my gardens. From the end of April to June, I spent recuperating at home. I feel ready now to open doors and discover new views to admire and be grateful for during this season. 

Trees sway in fairy-like movements among the stilled flowers aching for water. Gray clouds slip between houses as the breeze slows down. I open the door knowing that the peace of an early summer day is ready to greet me. I may be tired and not able to walk as far as before but each step discovers a new view to admire and have gratitude for life.

©CVarsalona, 2024

Summer's Morning Door

a simple decorative entry

opens each day with ease
what one sees depends on these

nature's summer gifts of sky and grounds
moments for life pauses and sweet sounds
gratitude glides from my lips
©CVarsalona, 2024, cherita

Look, Listen, and Fill Your Heart with Joy
as you watch Gratitude to Nature.

 I happily joinTwo Writing Teachers,
a meeting place for a world of reflective writers,
after many months of not writing alongside friends.


Over the past months, I've used my blog to recount my journey.

What I Didn't Know! - Spiritual Journey & Poetry Friday

Interestingly enough this month's Spiritual Journey hosted by Ruth Hersey, invites our community of writers to ponder a theme, I Don't Know. As Ruth states this is not a prompt so I mulled over this for a couple of weeks. There are so many I don't knows in my life right now so where do I start?

What I Didn't Know
I thought I would find glimmery moments
when springtime entered. The time was right
 for nature to offer buds eager to burst out.
Instead, the unexpected happened.
A slowdown began after outpatient surgery.
ICU became my launching pad for
repair surgery, pneumonia, and recovery.
A transfer to the med floor added another layer of stress.
Who likes a liquid diet and a disquieted stomach?
I did not know that my room would be a room of silence,
isolated from the outside world where
May buds were flourishing.
I spent hours pondering and questioning the whys.
Then two more infections became a reality.
 Each day seemed endless,
a never ending pool of medical issues,
called a clutter effect by one of the surgeons. 
What began as an easy, out-patient surgery
turned into a rollercoaster ride of evening nightmares.
I didn't know that a door opening could bring
staff with smiling faces and support.
While there are still times of fear and distress,
there're moments of thanksgiving and appreciation.
Hallelujah!
draft©CVarsalona, 2024

In the above worry journal poem, I wrote in an attentive melancholy way as mentioned in the wabi-sabi aesthetic that finds beauty in things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. 

I also learned that a wabi-sabi lifestyle

prizes maturity, depth, and wisdom over the vitality of youth.

https://positivepsychology.com/wabi-sabi-lifestyle/

Now is the time to speak of gratitude. Join me as I listen to the sweet sound

of Brandon Lake's voice as he sings his

song of Gratitude.

Please find more sweet thoughts and poetic goodness

at both Ruth Hersey's blog

for 

and Robyn Hood Black who has returned from her summer hiatus

at Life on the Deckle Edge to host the Poetry Friday Roundup.

Last week, was my first attempt at creating a wabi-sabi poem

with the Poetry Sisters and #PoetryPals.

Easter Sunday Thoughts

Today, morning broke with sunshine that pierced through the sky. Churchbells chimed in sync to verify the truth. Resurrection Sunday brought renewal to life, whether it be human life or nature's tending to the earth. Spring's path will continue with its sweet scents floating through the sky like burning incense rises and perfumes an altar. 

As the 40 days of Lent ended, so has the 31 days of the 17th Annual Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge. Challenges may have created pauses along the way but faith brought each writer closer to the end of a faithful journey. May each new friend I met find continue to write with zest and the many slicers I have met throughout my 10 years of slicing continue to meet each Tuesday of the year. I look forward to continued friendships.

As evening slows life down,

Memories of this Easter Sunday family day

Spins around like a top.

Faith and love connect.

Blossoms open.

Hearts renew.

©CVarsalona, 3/31/2024

Successful Easter Egg Hunt  

Day 31 ends the journey. I extend sincere gratitude to the leaders of Two Writing Teachers for opening their space that brings reflective writers together from across the globe.  

Heartnote for Teachers

Teachers, are there moments in your day that you stop to pause? 

Do you look into your classroom observing the children who sit before you?

 Does each child have a different look? 

These are some of the questions I have posed to myself over the 25 years of teaching reading, 10 years of being a districtwide administrator, and 8 years of consulting with districts as a teacher of teachers, and adjunct teaching at the local college. 

In your classrooms, you see the sparkling eyes of imaginers who look out beyond yours. You notice the knowledge-seekers who sit erect and weary-eyed children whose heads droop due to lack of sleep. Some of your students are troubled; they try to mask their inner, revolving feelings. Most children listen intently, some fade out fast, and others hold on tightly to bits of information you provide. 

Precious treasures surround you. Eagerly, you help each student process and create as you bring joy and delight to each day. You are a welcomer of knowledge. I lover of mindful interactions and an encourager who leads students to interact peacefully with each other. You mastermind these moments that bring students together and foster interesting pathways to learning.  

I send a heartnote of gratitude to each facilitator of learning. 

This was supposed to be Day 5's Slice of Life but time passed quickly.

Oops, the magic deadline hour dinged as I was almost at the end of the post.

Two Writing Teachers.

Day 6

2024

Carol Varsalona, 10-year Slicer

#PoetryPals November Challenge-Happy Thanksgiving

"A poem is a way of capturing a moment in time and making it eternal." -Valerie Worth

Each month, the Poetry Sisters, Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz. Sara, Tricia, and Kelly, offer a new poetic challenge. This month they are writing in the style of poet, Valerie Worth, whose poems are known for their simplicity and attention to detail. She was inspired by nature and ordinary objects, as exemplified by her poem, Porches. Valerie Worth's poem (see below) is one of her "small, portable pieces of magic" that draws attention to simple items.

You can learn more about Valerie Worth and read some of her poems at Spotlight on NCTE Poets: Valerie Worth, with Lee Bennett Hopkins, a post at Renee M. LaTulippe at No Water River.

Welcome

On my gathering porch,

Ornamental decor sparkles.

A festive wreath clangs

Against the front door.

Garlands wrap around

A single silent chair.

On the patio, flowers

Explode in fashionable colors.

Fragrant herbs spill over

Vases onto clay-filled soil.

My doors open

Welcoming sunkissed gatherings.

©CVarsalona, 2023

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In Thanksgiving

After the fixings

Are prepared and

The table set,

The kitchen hums

With delight.

The turkey sizzles.

Vegetables pop

In sparkling hues.

The soft-lit house readies

To welcomes guests

Into the thankful gathering.

©CVarsalona, 2023

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On this day after Thanksgiving, I send wishes of gratitude for family, friends, and the Poetry Friday community. May our host, Ruth Hersey, be blessed as she opens her doors (here) to bring poetic goodness into the world this Thanksgiving weekend.

A November Conversation

This week, November's weather swung back and forth like a playground swing. Conversations arose: Chill in the air. 36 degrees to 70 degrees." Beyond human talk, there was a huge stir in the sky when my son and I were in the parking lot of Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia. A mass of blackbirds swarmed the sky above the building. Dipping, diving, screeching they flew up and down. Loud conversations were heard as in the chasing scene in the movie, The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock. Immediately, my son shot the photo. We stood in awe of what we witnessed.

This week I thought about that stunning but eerie scene. When Anastasia Suen posted her #smallpoem challenge with the theme "Conversations", my mind started sparking ideas.

Photo by Derek Varsalona edited in FotoJet

Poem and digital artwork by CVarsalona

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November is the month to reflect on what we have learned over the past months. The holiday season begins and conversations are full of opportunities to listen and pause with hope, gladness, and appreciation. It is time to reset our journey with gratitude. 

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Thank you to Irene Latham, poet extraordinaire for hosting Poetry Friday and filling my thoughts with wonder. Today, she brings the gift of reflecting, pondering, and poetic goodness. 

Gratitude for Our Veterans

 "The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude." - Jeff Miller

November is #GratitudeMonth, the time to share thanksgiving for the large and small moments of life. On this Veteran's Day, I look back to thank those who fought for our country and freedom, especially my Uncle Johnny, World War II veteran who passed on at 94 years this spring.

Remembrance

a single flag

silenced by time

rests in tribute

©CVarsalona, 2023 #smallpoem

Thank you to Anastasia Suen for her Veteran's Day #smallpoem challenge.