In This Skin

Morning Glory and her friend Lei have started a new series of writing challenges. I decided to challenge myself to write down a few thoughts this week and hopefully each time, I'll be able to think about some of life's deeper questions as they relate to me, in this time, at this place. So the first challenge was

"In This Skin"

In this skin,
I view life with more tolerance, patience, respect and compassion than ever before. I see the joy of small daily wonders - tulips gracing the kitchen table, a pretty envelope in the mail, a steaming cup of tea. I see a few (but only a few!) wrinkles - thanks to the many glasses of milk I've drank over the years. I don't see many grey hairs - thanks, E., who's the only one who really knows for sure!

In this skin,
I smell fresh buns baking and candles burning, spices and herbs simmering in soups and sauces, laundry fresh from the dryer, logs burning in the fireplace, silage and animals on our farm and the sweet baby powder softness of our 2 granddaughters.

In this skin,
I touch papers and thread in my studio as I retreat to play and create while preserving pieces of our life story. I smooth clean clothes and my early morning bedhead. I caress my husband's beard and his strong arms that offer me a safe retreat from the day's stresses.

In this skin,
I taste delectable treats - chocolate, cheesecake, chai lattes, pizza and fruits. But more importantly I taste the good things God has blessed me with so very generously - health, family, friends, all I need day to day, beauty in nature and goodness in people.

In this skin,
I hear the voices of loved ones as they call from their own homes now scattered further away. I hear the joyful sounds of our 2 sweet grandbabies as they play serenely and discover their voices. I hear myriad questions from my grade three students and their cries of wonder as they discover new things. I will soon hear the cries of new baby calves searching for their mama cows.

In this skin,
I am serene in my fifties, a child of God, seeking new challenges, striving for gains in personal fitness, happy with the little things, studying God's word, blessed beyond measure, immensely grateful, motivated to help others and eager to embrace the next stage of life.