A POEM FOR TODAY

The Power of Gentleness

A river flows around the largest stone

with ease and gracefulness, and rigid trees

will bow and bend when ruffled by a breeze

that’s softer than a sigh. A mighty throne

can crack because of gentle words alone,

and quiet kindness can begin to tease

the meanness from a heart and softly ease

a stony life into one that’s known

for its unselfishness. If someone sees

with love, a rock can be a precious stone.

Today, I added a few flowers to my mom's memorial garden, some wave petunias around the umbrella, and then I sat for a quite a while in the shade, reading and noticing the new flowers as they rustled in the gentle breeze. Cia, as always, was ready with her camera and took a few pics. (It was fun, as it always is, to shop with her. We went together to the nursery for the flowers, and it was a joy to have her by my side. 

A lovely peony this morning

Watering the newly planted petunias

Ah, the comforts of retired life!

Learning from Francis