Mary's Heartbeats

It's a haul . . . an uphill grade, one in which I pedal standing up on my bike. I relish the strength I've found in my legs, though I am sweating a river and panting for breath. My mind ignores any exhaustion and repeats only verses or songs to mix with my vision of being at the end of the street. I've climbed a bit farther this year, more than I've ever done in the past. I'm at the top, at least so I think, yet having reached that destination I find a bit more of a bend in the road to explore. But for now, I'm ecstatic for the progress I've made. The whole valley is spread out below me like green bumpy carpet surrounded with walls of blue sky and low puffy clouds. I sit and begin to coast down, down, down . . . That's when it hits me, the coolest breeze whips right up against me. It's brisk and refreshing, and I can't get enough. I just want to breathe it in like a smooth summer drink. . .

It just started out as a way to talk with my Mom. I'm not sure how she became so deaf, it was as if she had been exposed to jet engine noise, in that she was unable to completely hear out of one ear and the other was so minimal that in all practicality, she was unable to hear out of that one too. It seemed rather sudden in her early seventy's that this occurred, but down the years it progressed significantly. She lived away from me, and yet I wanted to talk with her so often. I would call on the weekends, but she was unable to hear me on the phone. She would greet me, but would have to rely on my Dad to catch her up on our news. So I decided to write, because I knew she not only would read my letters, but she would save them up. I'm not sure how it happened, but somewhere along that time, I would find myself writing to her in poems and stories, attempting to show her a complete picture of my heart. And she loved my writing, she would often tell me, and she saved th...

I have always wished that I had been born a pioneer woman. Thinking of myself as being hearty and earthy, I'm sure I could have handled living off the land. I love the outdoors and creation's majestic beauty. I have seen the power of rain, storms, and floods to respect all that nature has to offer. Growing up with access to the Rocky Mountains gave me opportunity for hiking and exploring. Memories of eating wild gooseberries, sneaking up on a deer, wading through crystal clear cold creeks, and fishing for rainbow trout are some of my best. Maybe it came from reading the "Little House on the Prairie" series that fed my imagination and yearning to have lived a different time. But that wasn't the plan, for I am here. . . All of us are gifted with life. As if that is not enough in and of itself, we are individually given talents, strengths, and abilities. We know that King Solomon was given wisdom at his request from God. He was put in the time of histo...

Having realized that bloodshed was necessary in establishing his father's kingdom, King Solomon found himself dreaming one night in a place called Gibeon. In that dream he had an open conversation with God. He acknowledged his inadequacy in being ruler of the great nation of Israel and compared his immaturity as a leader to that of an ignorant child. His request was simple, just "give me an understanding heart, (literally a hearing heart), to judge Your people, and to discern between good and evil." It was a genuine honest request that pleased the Lord. So Solomon was granted "wisdom, and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore." (I Kings 4:29) Along with the gift of wisdom, God chose to give him riches and honor like no other king and if Solomon chose to walk righteously, God would prolong his days. Then he woke up. Wow, talk about a mind-blowing experience, I wonder if upon awakening, Solomon suddenly had all...

I relaxed on the couch with a cup of steamy hot chocolate. Putting my feet up, my buddy Goldyn joined me after I granted him permission. He took full advantage of my offer by sprawling across my lap and legs. He was so furry and warm, which I welcomed on this unseasonal cool Spring night. His freshly washed coat was cuddly soft and he smelt so good, that I enjoyed just burying my head in his neck . . . Oh, how I love great big dogs! But he didn't get that way by himself, because earlier that day he had to have his bath. Now, Goldyn loves the water, in fact he readily gets in the pool, even up to his chest during cold winter days. But just like a kid who tries to avoid soap and water, Goldyn instinctively seemed to know what was coming when the green big tub arrived on the patio. It was going to be a challenge for me and for him as this was the first time I wouldn't have my son to assist. I carefully planned my strategy, figuring a way to keep him leashed until...

Mmm . . . I caught the faint sweet smell of the freshly picked lilacs as I walked through my family room. Lilacs have gotta be the fragrance of Spring! As I sat down and started to read, their aroma quickly drifted off. Instead, I found myself knee deep in blood and gore. In bold print was how King Solomon initially established his kingdom and power. He had a hit man, Benaiah, who carried out his plans, and killed off the threats to his political power. This included Solomon's older brother, Adonijah, who had failed at capturing the kingdom for himself. It was also, Joab, his father's former army commander, who himself had been involved with killing those he felt were in his way. Finally, it was Shimei, who had been a tormentor of his father King David. So King Solomon had settled the score, both for him and for his father; now, he could rule. I think I know why people don't like to read the stories found in the Old Testament. I think they find them muc...

I pulled in the driveway easing my way into the garage as the door rolled up. Whew! I had done it! I had just completed a three hour yoga session. I was a bit sore, but realized once again how much stronger I have become over this past year and how much my mind has calmed in response to stress. Walking into my empty house, I called for "Goldy-Locks," he was already relaxed in his spot by my bed. His tail wagged as I approached, and together we walked out to the backyard, so he could take care of his "final business"for the night. I guess I've grown accustomed to my quiet nights at home . . . The ringing of the phone caught me by surprise, hmm . . . who would be calling now, so late? "Hello," I said and then just smiled as the voice on the other end was my husband checking in on me. "How did it go? Are you in for the night now?" he said. I reassured him that all was well and that I am safe and sound. "OK, I'm just ma...