Total Eclipse of My Heart...

I got to watch the eclipse last night with Bobby.  We stood in our street, staring up into the not so dark sky, busy with airplanes.  In the midst of such a large metropolis, we don't get to enjoy the bright stars very often and I realized how few times I look up into the night sky these days.  But last night was a real treat to see the shadow pass over before my very eyes.

Bobby stayed outside, taking photos of the super blood moon eclipse while I took cover inside to douse my swollen mosquito bitten feet with Benadryl.  I am longing for winter...

As I was watching the moon, the lyrics to "Total Eclipse of my Heart" came into my head.  I smiled because the song (the version with Meatloaf of course) always reminds me of my friend Jeremy.  I stared at the moon and thought of him, and my family and other friends who have passed on into a new life.  I wonder what a lunar eclipse looks like from heaven.

Paradise

Paradise
By Yours Truly
______________

The smell of old coffee and burnt toast

Drifts over the desks of those fully engrossed

In their mindless work and keyboard clacks

Shoulders hunched and eternal curved backs.

The humming and hawing of the Xerox machine

Reminds us all how we’re not really that “green”.

It jams and mysterious errors blink and blare

Onlookers give repetitive advice and mean stares.

The supply cabinet looks like a hoarder’s dreams

Of old floppy discs and paper reams

Back in the depths is where the coveted pens hide

Surrounded by cast away markers, old and dried.

Poisonous words float from the chatty Kathy’s

Distracting and gathering a sea of khakis

The gossip train has left the station

And spreads the news at each cubicle location.

Have a meeting to plan more meetings

Filled with enthusiastic words and greetings

Synergy, leadership, and win- win

Drowning in the meaningless motivational din.

And just like a broken record player

The office grump and naysayer

Says with a sharp and wry slice,

“Just another day in paradise”.

Good-bye week

I can't remember the last time I was so glad to see a week be over.  It was an emotional roller coaster. I started the week off with very sad news that my committee member and professor from graduate school was killed, followed by some staff changes at work, one of my best friends finding out that after years of heartache, her in vetro was successful (!), news of a co-worker's diagnosis of breast cancer, and I found out that after many clean years, addiction had taken a hold again of a dear community member.  

When it rains...

I guess I am only human and got kind of down this week.  Besides the amazing news from my sweet friend, the world seemed pretty dismal.  

I've been spending my evenings before I fall asleep in deep prayer, and hoping that light and goodness will overcome and touch those who are in a dark place.  I know it can and will, its just that life can really beat you down sometimes.  Perspective is a powerful tool and with each heartache and sad day, I learn and relearn the importance of embracing each day, each loved one, and each positive moment.

The other night, feeling quite gloomy, I walked into the bedroom to find the sweetest moment.

Looks like somebody has a favorite parent...

I snuggled in too, until Aurelia decided she did not want a sandwich hug and leapt off the bed.  My sweet husband rubbed my back for a few minutes and then tucked me into bed.  These tiny moments cheer my heart.