Forest Bathing

Full creek,
   cloudy with sediment
and the rush of fresh rains

a musty, mossy scent
thickens the air

the forest is fluttering,
   floating by
rivers of motion:

cascades of winter wren trills
branches heavy with buds
children
little dogs
muddy-footed runners
lovers

even the skinny jean advertisers
  are taking in
    the first luxurious morsels

of spring.

A lover is born!

Gratitude...

29 years ago today a lovely human being was born, somehow scooted, sat, cried, crawled, walked, ran, jumped, played and eventually made it across the street into my life. How wondrous a being he is and I love him dearly.

He sits across from me now, tea slurping, burping, lips pursing now and again as he reads. This lovely human being with whom I feel so at ease, even when riding grumpy, whiny, annoyed, fearful, anxiety-ridden waves, the ones I don't acknowledge in the company of pretty much anyone else.

Well, I love him dearly, what more is there to say? THank YOU Universe for this delicious beauty I get to share in, for this man, so of a man!

Deepity!

Gratitude. Months Later.

One teacher recommended simply saying gratitude to oneself and seeing what arises....

Gratitude:
Safe home
stuck (can't think of anything)
Breathing...
a loving companion (handsome, gentle)
The cat, full of cuteness, curled up, warm and snug, loves it when the heater's on.
Heat.
The miracle of electricity (somehow rushing water and wind bring light and heat to my living room, power this thing I'm typing on).

Pause.

Gratitude:
Socks, the hands that made them, packaged and shipped them. Hands in Mexico? China? India?
Every item in my cluttered living room touched by un-named hands.
Interdependence, somehow it all works.
A day to rest when ill, paid sick leave.
Stable work.
Supportive Family.

Today...
Making birthday cards for friends.
Sleeping, sleeping, sleeping late.

Remembering gratitude.