Looking out the window, she takes note at this part of winter she enjoys so much. Sitting comfortably in the warmth of her home, her furry friend sits by her side, content her mistress is home today.
She sees a car drive by covered in snow and only a small circle in the windshield brushed off to see. She sighs. She had strict rules about driving in winter and always took extra time to scrap the snow off all the windows of her car. “One less thing to worry about, now” she thought to herself, since she no longer had a car. No more stressing to get anywhere that public transit or a taxi couldn`t do just as well and safely.
La luminosité des étoiles ainsi une pleine lune livrent une magie la nuit de Noël. Cette merveille compensa l’absence de neige. Le grondement du chasse-neige sur le pavé dégagea un son acceuillant. En regardant par la fenêtre, ce sens de l’émerveillement enfantin la baigna.
pelouse vêtu en blanc
conifères parsemé de neige
les merveilles d’hiver
(c) Clr’15
A clear night under shimmering stars and full moon added Christmas magic. It almost compensated for no snow. Early morning groan of the mega snow plow scraping pavement was a welcome sound. Looking out the window, that childlike sense of wonder washed all over her.
white covered lawns
snow sprinkled evergreens
winter wonderland
Sometimes, life doesn’t seem fair when one looks solely as one struggles through the muck of life, taking longer to reach any light of day. And yet, those who struggle most, seem to have been offered multiple opportunities, various paths to take, to finally reach the summit…light in all its essence.
shy beginnings lateral search in quagmire seeking light
downy coverlet
swaddling nature’s crib
glistens in the night
Seven days before Christmas #2 “silent Night
eyelids quiver
toss and turn ’til morning
dreaming of reindeer
~
singing in the night
herald the newborn King
Silent Night
Seven days before Christmas #3 “decorations”
popcorn garlands
cinnamon and eggnog
Christmas long ago
~
scent of pine cones
tinsel and candy canes
holiday’s hope chest
Seven Days Before Christmas 2015 #4 presents
As young children, they started their list after Halloween. Mother would eavesdrop on their conversations of hopes and wishes. Watching her children stare at toy commercials, she’d revise the list over and over. Finally they posted each their list on the fridge door, checking it every day trying not to pout and do everything right.
On Christmas Eve, they set a plate of carrots and lettuce for Santa’s reindeer by the patio door and cookies for Santa with a glass a milk. The night before Christmas, they were tucked in early, promising to not get up even if they heard bells jingle, thumping in the living room or any long baritone mirth. The rule was to wait after the sun was up and tip toe carefully in the living room, if there was a late delivery. If they even saw a shadow of a burly man in a red suit, they were to dash back into their beds under the covers.
Since excitement made them rise early, the children were given permission to look at their Christmas stockings but wait for Mommy and Daddy before opening any other presents Santa left under the tree.
candy canes and mints
children’s Christmas kisses
sweetest treats
Mother would wake up, lying in bed and smile, listening to the children whispering exclamations on their new finds; then they’d tiptoe in the bedroom wishing their parents a Merry Christmas and pleading to get up so they could open their presents.
gift of love
open hearts, compassion reigns
the newborn King
Seven days before Christmas #5 Peace
(Troiku)
heavenly feast at the altar midnight mass
heavenly feast
fills each soul with grace
fit for a King
at the altar
nativity scene glows
babe in a manger
midnight mass
children’s choir sing with joy
divine child is born
Il est né le divin enfant (heavenly child is born)
Chorus: Il est ne, le divin Enfant, Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes; Il est ne, le divin Enfant; Chantons tous son avenement!
1. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus
2. Ah! qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant,
Que ses graces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant,
Qu’il est doux le divin Enfant! Chorus
3. Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement! Chorus
4. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous etes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement! Chorus
Translation:
Refrain He is born, the Heav’nly Child, Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding He is born, the Heav’nly Child. Let all sing his nativity.
1. ‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Prophets have foretold His coming,
‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Have we waited this happy hour. Refrain
2. Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
What perfection is his graces,
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair.
Child divine, so gentle there. Refrain
3. In a stable lodged is he,
Straw is all he has for cradle.
In a stable lodged is he,
Oh how great humility! Refrain
4. Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Though a little babe you come here,
Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Rule o’er us from this glad hour. Refrain
peace of mind snow covered highways last guests – home safe
last guest – home safe bearing gift of mirth contented souls
~ rain slick highways cloud mists from the sky showering peace
Seven days before Christmas #6 Mistletoe
Her parents had given her that first record player. It looked like an old portable typewriter case. How she loved it, carrying it over to her friends for sleepovers. She remembers her godmother giving her the single record, by Teresa Brewer. She played it so often, it skipped.
under the mistletoe a smile is planted on her lips, dreams of her first kiss
Something nudged me so early in the morning. It was pitch black outside and my mind was in a fog. I looked at the time and wondered why I was so wide awake at 5:45 am, since I’d been sleeping barely three hours. Well now, I thought, lying in bed trying to get back to my dream that was a bit of a mystery. Lots of running around like cat and mouse. Must be the detective flics I had been watching on Law & Order again. But sleep would not greet me and I realized then, it must be the spirit that was excited like a child. Things to do still on this Christmas Eve morning.
A bit of shopping and cooking today and Christmas dinner tomorrow with the most important people in my life, my children and grandchildren. Then I will be working a night shift at midnight; our manager invited us all to come in to work in our PJ’s…yes, that is another item I need to pick up…something funny and outrageous!
When I think about it, a whole 24 hours will be spent in love and compassion…the first half with my children and the second half,at our youth line with amazing caring colleagues.
It’s a privilege for me to take those calls…a window opens on holidays like this where I get to enter the world of other families who, for some, may be struggling this holiday season. Many youths wishing the two weeks off were over already so they can get some sense of normalcy in school with their friends. Time off can be entering a festive time, family and friends celebrating, holiday cheer; it can also be walking on a mine field trying to avoid explosions and turmoil. So yes, I feel privileged to be there.
The grey skies are an exception this time of year and I noticed at the Métro, these past few days there are less homeless people seeking warmth in the subways. The warmer weather is certainly a blessing to many who normally are out in the cold as we sit in the comfort of our homes with family and friends.
shimmering light spirit of compassion glows, hearts blossom
The day started with a surprise visit.. I had planned to take a bus to pick up a parcel it and get some items at the grocery store next door. My son arrived minutes after I had showered, so, I quickly braided my wet hair and rushed out. He mentioned he has to guard frenzied drivers to avoid an accident. I couldn’t agree more with his need to err on caution since I was careful crossing the street c as well; there seemed too many hurried drivers running red lights and cutting other cars off.
I took advantage of his arms and his car to get heavier items at the store. We stopped for a submarine on our way home. As I was waiting for our order to ring up, my son was pointing to the homemade cookies on the counter. For a moment I felt like I was right back 30 years ago when he was seven and silently eyeing something like a hot wheel or candy bar. A gush of warmth swept over me.
As we stepped out of the restaurant there was blowing snow…looked like millions of tiny white beads spreading on the dark pavement. Temperatures had dropped today and I was hopeful the ground would stay white just a while longer.
North winds quicken
snow clouds dim late afternoons
chilling brittle bones
fairy dust on dark pavements
brightens this early dusk
Today, I woke up looking out the window at the rain; 9 C on December 17th is so rare. I thought to myself, “Why wait for New Year’s resolutions?” and thought of a haiku at that moment. Why not write a haiku (or more) a day when the thought pops up in my mind? Sure I write sometimes three or four posts a day with prompts…but why not go back to basics? The reason I started all of my blogs…to journal thoughts of the day and now that I enjoy haiku so much, why not put that moment in a haiku every day?
wakes up to the rain looks out at that sky of gloom crawls back into bed
I have to admit that the rain looked bleak from the inside, but once I walked to work, dressed in my hooded raincoat, I felt pretty darn good. Isn’t it amazing how life offers you wonderful opportunities to take another look?
two sides of a coin
perception
makes or breaks
looks out the window
lamenting skies
one-sided view
Tournesol dans un Jardin 