Paradise found...

(This week as I watched Laura lovingly tending her garden in preparation of winter, I was reminded, again, about what an amazing woman she is.  Such gifts, shared so selflessly...and pointing us so clearly to God whom she loves and serves.  I wrote this piece some time back as a tribute to her; I share it again with you now...)

Summer.
Deck brittle with age, surrounded by color, a wall.
Satin petals: Red, Pink, Ivory, Maize.
Thorns a reminder: look, don't touch.

Water droplets perfectly formed, wait to escape.
Bees busy, a harvest of nectar.
Woman sits, watches, filled with joy at the sight.

She labors with tender care.
Scarred by thorns, undaunted.
She plants, she feeds, she waters.

The full bloom of her effort,
a feast for the eyes
Delicious to smell.

Autum.
Sun's path plunges
colors blaze then fade.
Not an end; pause, to rest.

Winter.
In time she prepares for the deep white sleep of winter.
Well covered. Glory there still, but not.
They wait.

Spring.
She prepares the soil, a feast.
They awake from slumber, race to come out.
Canes the channel of life, carry lovely crowns through voyage to summer.

In full bloom they linger.
Celebrated, loved; a reminder,
In the begining, God.

A heart-felt plea...

As a Nation we've enjoyed a two-party system that has worked for the American people in bringing the best ideas of each in a synergy that has eclipsed ideology.

"Father-in-heaven, deliver that kind of dynamic environment to us again, that

 we might continue to be a force for peace and that which is good, here and around the world. Heal our division and elevate the aspirations of our leaders to pursue values driven by character, reflective of our diversity, and aimed at the common good. Grant them shrewd judgement to desire and do the right thing. Give us leaders worthy of our trust; restore the confidence of this Nation in those selected to govern, that they might work shoulder to shoulder to move us forward for future generations. Amen."