a 4272023 morning

it's a 4272023 morning
the kind of morning
that will never be here again
the fire leaves are awakening
big blue skies are smiling
the proud trees are welcoming
a 4272023 morning

the silent digital sentinel
on our wrist
counts the seconds
that will make up the moments
of this gift we call a day
the unrepeatable you
this world of image bearers
in all our collective  journeys
we share
the sorrow
the waiting
the singing
the building
the crying
the disorientation
the confusion
the celebration
the shame
the brokenness
the wonder
the exhaustion
the despair
the longing
for meaning
the searching for love
it's who we are
glorious and ruinous

on this 4272023 morning
let’s remember together
our Creator is here
for you and me
for all the world
the Light has overcome the darkness
so we can open our hearts
and become fire leaves
illuminated
dazzling
sparkling
welcoming the Light
the everlasting Love
awakened by eternal songs
of redemption

so this 4272023 morning
will soon be gone
what will we leave behind
words of comfort
love and laughter
shared tears
forgiving eyes
grateful for
a 4272023 morning
and grateful
for you

great day for a hike

We moved to our current home in Illinois from Michigan back in 2004, but it’s not the first time we have lived in Illinois. We first arrived in Chicago-land back in 1988. However, it wasn’t until we came back in 2004 that we discovered Matthiessen State Park.

The day started out with the typical refrain of cold, low, gray clouds, but Mr. I-Can’t-Seem-To-Get-The-Weather-Report-Right promised clearing skies and it came to pass that a beautiful, mostly sunny afternoon emerged.

One of the things I love about each of the it-feels-like-hundreds-of-times that I have visited this park is that it is always new. It’s like discovering and exploring for the first time, each time.

And I love the quiet… the sense of calm…

I am glad I made time to reflect… walk… listen to a waterfall, or the water gurgling over rocks and a stubborn oak leaf…

Thanks for stopping by.

good day sunshine

good day sunshine

My impression of what I saw on a crisp, bright, beautiful, Autumn day.

I need to laugh, and when the sun is out
I’ve got something I can laugh about
I feel good, in a special way
I’m in love and it’s a sunny day  —  The Beatles

the sea

the sea

I know I am biased, but new York does have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Not that I have been to many, but enough to know that my bias is true. This was taken at Jones Beach, New York. I grew up 15 minutes from this beach on the southern shore of Long Island. I have long since tried to stop understanding it, but I know that I am never more at rest, and at peace, when I am at the shore. The ocean has a way of making you feel small, and that’s a good thing. I have many wonderful memories of family and fun at this beach, and each time I go home to NY to visit my folks I go to Jones Beach, be it Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. I also dedicate this image to a dear friend who has taken some of the most beautiful shore pictures that I have ever seen.

 

Lakeshore Beauty

Lakeshore Beauty

Spent Father’s Day afternoon enjoying the shore of Lake Michigan in New Buffalo, MI.