Mid-Year Review of 2021 One Word-SJT

Life is about transitions. I look back on this year. Winter was filled with urgent to-do lists. Sell the Long Island house, find a spot open for COVID vaccinations for myself and my family, call the movers, and in the weeks before the move have an estate sale of my antiques and collectibles. I pause to reflect on my 2021 one word, begin, knowing that it has brought me through many challenges since I asked it to be a guide on my life journey. 

I contemplate my one word's presence in my life, consider what it offers for the future, and deliberate on what can be done to stop brooding over past missteps. Sometimes, I celebrate the word begin and other times get wrapped up in fairytale-like ponderings of an ideal new life. In reality, life is not an easy road to transverse. It is filled with detours, congested pathways, and bridges to cross. I am fully aware that life is fragile and uncertain but can be a hopeful journey if i remain positive. 

From the beginning of January, I trusted my one word. With faith on my side and the word begin, I crossed several hurdles starting with getting lost on the trip down to Virginia. I am not quite sure how I did that but it happened and left me in a quandary. I circled around, tried to find a new route, and finally broke down in tears. Was this a warning on how life could be if I continued to be stressed? Did I slow down when I finally arrived in Virginia? No, afterall there were so many tasks to be completed as we moved into our new home. My granddaughters have provided love and joy that dismisses tense-filled weekly tasks. 

I am happy to say, that I have prevailed through surging storms, service calls, and edginess amidst open and unopened boxes so I decided to revise my January 2021 Commitment Statement. 

with faith

I shall rise above

life's constant challenges,

blossom like a bud of spring,

celebrate new beginnings with positivity,

and begin a new walk on more solid ground.

©CV, 2021

I must admit since we moved, sometimes I felt like the wilting flowers in my new garden. They thirsted for a new beginning but I did not know how to nurture these new young plants.  I want to stand tall like the other blooms in my gardens. They offer their presence reminding me to sing the praises of nature's blessings. 

Like my young plantings, I journey onward despite changeable patterns of life. I will cast doubts aside and focus my thoughts on new beginnings now that I am left with only a dozen or more boxes to unpack on the first floor. As Meister Eckhart said, "Be willing to be a beginner every single morning." I shall make this quote a priority during the next few days, I will also, follow the wisdom of Proverbs 16-9: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Finding Peace

mapping life's journey 

begins within heartstrings-

wander with hope

©CV, 2021

I thank Ruth Hersey, teacher-poet from Haiti, who as the June host of Spiritual Journey Thursday chose today's topic. Ruth reports that despite the challenges of life in Haiti, she is still flourishing. I will walk beside her as I begin a mid-year journey.

The Color of Kindness

Each Monday the educational Twitter community brings inspiration in the form of the hashtag #CelebrateMonday thanks to the leadership of Alyssa H. @ABEducational and Sean Gaillard @smgaillard. I began this week with thoughts on kindness and developed this theme through a digital inspiration and poety for National Poetry Month. Below, you will find my Buncee creation for this week's celebration of Earth Day 2021 with its call to action, #RestoreOurEarth. Spreading the seeks of kindness is important more than ever as hate crimes are 

It's Poetry Friday with our host, Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core. Catherine spotlights poet/children's author, Padma Venkatraman and shares her original poem based on Padma's challenge to write a "short poem dedicated to hope in defiance of hate". 

My micropoem in response to Padma's challenge:

Earth Day Message

This week, I also created another Buncee for Earth Day. You can find that here.

Closing Day on the Ides of March

The Ides of March are upon us. I recall many a time that I have heard the word "Beware" used when speaking about Mar h 15th. I start the day off excited, not anticipating any negativity. Perhaps closing on this date is fitting. After all, we spent a long year of delays on both my homes. 

The rise of COVID-19 did its best to add stress into the mix of buying a new home and selling one. We faced many waiting periods. At first, we waited for travel bans to be lifted so we could travel to our new construction. We waited for construction materials, furniture, and appliances to arrive. We waited for buyers to decide if our Long Island house would be their final choice. Waiting is difficult when you wish your dream to materialize immediately.

Today, our closing finally occurred and in a small conference room, we eagerly signed all papers officially closing on our Long Island house. After some congratulations, visits to two different banks, we said our goodbys to our neighborhood and town. I ref;ected on our Long Island life filled with joys and sorrows. I felt the excitement of a new adventure but a bit of sadness for leaving  longtime friends but Long Island is a doable ride.

closing a door

one step forward

anticipation

©CV, 2021

Just when we started to feel the relaxation of moving past another hurdle, a phone call comes in. My 14-month-old granddaughter was sent home from her day care school due to a high fever. "Could you please take care of Aurora  at our house the next couple of days?" The adventure begins before we even reach Virginia!

Day 15 March SOLSC! #SOL2021, Two Writing Teachers, March Musings 2021

Proud Member of Two Writing Teachers Community since 2015

Winter Blast #2

Imagine waking to a quiet, cold morning of drifting snowdrops pirouetting in a bright sky. Nature's artistry in motion is visible. Intrigued by the sight, I watch the shifting winds, listen to the whooshing, guzzling noise, and then, see snowflakes, flitting through the air in a haphazard motion.

Winter Embraces Its Second Blast

in the calm quiet

after the first snowdropping

blankets welcomed

©CV, 2021, haiku 

cars crusted in snow wait for the unknown

pristine blankets camouflage

a shoveling nightmare 

©CV, 2021, Kimo 

winter art lines

neighborhood streets-

2021's living gallery

©CV, 2021, micropoem

-Judi Drucker, 2021, Long Island

those indoors watch

the incessant snow dance and plop

on a frozen throne

©CV, 202, haiku

more layers to come

so the meteorologists forecast...

❄❅❄

Laura Shovan's 9th Annual February Poetry Project Continues with amazing writing prompts. Buffy Silverman offered this #naturephoto for participants to ponder.

-Buffy Silverman, 2021, Michigan

Winter Tree

Skin so rugged,

Aged with grace

Mapped with lines

Of winter's face.

❄❅❄

Aging is nature

maturing.

Faced with dignity

Life enduring.

©CV, 2021

Before leaving, I would like to share the Poetry Postcard I received from my poet-artist friend, Michelle Kogan.

Thank you Molly Hogan from Maine for hosting Poetry Friday this week. I'm waiting to see if the Northeast is receives a weekend blast as is predicted. Molly with her key eye for photography will be on the lookout for an interesting winter theme to photograph. In the meantime she offers, some early morning scenes at the beach and the draft of her artist's prayer.