Tag: Seasons

The End of Fire Season

Autumn is my favorite season, but here in Northern California I have learned to thrive in winter, when rain dampens the threat of wildfires.

In the midst of drought, an ever-lengthening fire season, and the annual stress of smoke and nixle alerts, I am grateful for the early storms that allowed us to enjoy fall in safety this year.

This early end to fire season confused all the plants, so we basically had fall and spring at the same time. Flowers bloomed as the leaves turned beautiful colors. I’ve never seen anything quite like it!

This autumn was a breath of relief, a good gift to our communities, and this poem is my celebration of that gift.

May you and your loved ones also enjoy peace and security this holiday season!

Continue reading “The End of Fire Season”

God in all the Wrong Places

In the interest of simplifying Advent, this week is a re-post of my favorite Advent blog from last year! Blessings to you as you find small ways to rest in this season.

 

“Oh no, for real?” I thought to myself as the band began to play. “Of all the Christmas songs, why this one? Can’t we sing “Oh Come Emmanuel” or something? This is a kid’s song…”

Despite my internal protests, the drums beat steadily, soon followed by the incessant refrain: “PA RUM PUM PUM PUM.”

And then I started to cry. Continue reading “God in all the Wrong Places”

The Journey of Advent

On December 1st, the season of Advent quietly ushered in a new church year with its uniquely poignant mix of anticipation and longing.

My three-year-old, to whom minutes feel like years, jumped right to the end of the month and began asking if it was Christmas every single day. My oldest, on the other hand, has been around the Christmas block before and loves to point out everything that’s great along the road to December 25th.

After a couple of days, the youngest stopped asking about his future presents and started asking about the gifts of that day – Who’s turn is it to add a magi to the nativity scene? What shape will my chocolate be today? How many candles do we light tonight?

They are learning through candles and chocolate and calendars that Advent is about more than just the destination, it is a journey worth paying attention to. Continue reading “The Journey of Advent”

God in all the Wrong Places

“Oh no, for real?” I thought to myself as the band began to play. “Of all the Christmas songs, why this one? Can’t we sing “Oh Come Emmanuel” or something? This is a kid’s song…”

Despite my internal protests, the drums beat steadily, soon followed by the incessant refrain: “PA RUM PUM PUM PUM.”

And then I started to cry. Continue reading “God in all the Wrong Places”

Delight

A young child dissolved in giggles at his very first joke,
repeating the punch line in sheer bliss

A red-cheeked adventurer standing high above the town
on a sapphire-blue morning, enraptured in the frosty air Continue reading “Delight”

In the Bittersweet of Seasons Changing

In the bittersweet of seasons changing, I discover a piece of the eternal Hidden in the uniquely human experience of time Even as I savor the simple sweet of present moments, The gifted time of easy joy passes away In vibrant bursts of red and orange and yellow Looking back, way back, past this fleeting […]