ah, yes

boom! and lights out

internet gone, soothing music silent

but it is morning and i can load the cart with foodstuff for the new preacher

 and my bit for the potluck for our retiring minister plus

the lively farewell plant and flowers for the serving table

and struggle to get it all to the elevator here on my seventh floor

i press the button but the door does not open – no electricity, no elevator

i call my daughter to come to take my contributions and me down

six flights of stairs i have not yet tried on my own, but first she must climb

up those stairs to me before she can help me down and out to her car

we arrive at church just after service but in time to be part of the celebration

of service to our congregation by their entire wonderful family

and yet, true to my lifestyle lately,

our new pastoral family’s moving van has not yet left Texas due to flooding

so they won’t need the fresh foods we’d just carried down those stairs

to welcome them to the parsonage

what is there to do but shrug and smile?

ah, yes

even though i am older

so many took time to wish me well

yesterday that the warmth glowed

and i felt seen and loved

this morning i am remembering

what a treasure it si to reach out

with a word of friendship

white elephant laughter

grandma watches from the corner

of the couch the generations

choosing, stealing, re-choosing

white elephant gifts, laughing

as the lucky numbers first drawn

get to choose again among

the extras wrapped for guests

who did not come

being in the midst of such love and joy

is worth all the years of struggle

kitchen on Give Thanks morning

the oven is on low

sweet potatoes, yellow and orange

baking in brown sugar butter

aroma just emerging into the kitchen

anticipating Thanksgiving

smell of the warmth of joy

laughter and good food

sharp clang of spatula

flare of flame and bad chef jokes

Benihana set with full table

of family loving their mom

on her 30th time celebrating

her 29th birthday

rich holidays

such rich holidays

for so many people

in the world

a time we could share

our peace and hope

for life’s renewal of joy

if only we will

how do i answer?

 blue-purple larkspur and asters surround a vibrant sunflower

and yellow, gold and auburn roses, lilies and daisy wanna-be’s

bouquets in clear glass and handmade cream-white and blue pottery vases

preen beside the drawstring bag of earl gray tea

my heart sings with their proof of ‘i love you, mom’

my tears of undeserved joy

                                    mjNordgren  9/11/2022  N

grateful

pictures from their wedding

enclosed in a thank you card

when it is i who was given

the privilege of being part

of their joy in celebrating

the hope, love and devotion

i, too, have cherished

grandma of great fortune

woman of courage completing her master’s

young women of solid accomplishment finding their feet and quiet strength

these are my granddaughters

fun musician graduating high school

caring college student working from and for home

brilliant young rebel honored by university for fighting for justice

firstborn of my grandsons taking on love and life with compassion and joy

these seven of my great fortune