A Sister's Birthday

She came into being seeing four male figures. Her father was very patient, calm, giving, and she didn't have worries from then on of false hopes in that gender. There were three boys older than her, the two oldest offered her creativity, intellect, things that a young girl could relate and use in her life. The third boy was all that the world offers as ignorance and want, but not anything she might use. For it was nothing but aggravation, and exemplified all those things in this world one should flee. Then as a female she looked to her likeness, her mother. This would form her into the women she is today. The mediatrix of all that is feminine, elegance, beauty, common sense intelligence, culinary abilities, and a firm hand to deliver the best possible example of goodness. Soon the three boys would leave her, but then surrounded in siblings by a younger brother and sister. She then gave her all to lead those two as she had been formed. Time had a way of teaching new lessons, there was adventures that brought joy and sorrow. Her paternal example passed on, and brought all her siblings into a gathering which all differences could be left aside, and they certainly were as in all good wakes. The promise to gather did occur intermittently, usually during the Holiday Time when emotions are most open to love and often easier to put aside hidden perceptions. Then came the biggest test, the care of her mother who was dying of cancer. She faithfully attended to her mother's every need, this was most difficult. Opening one's home and life, to usher in death and sadness. But she had learned her lessons well. Today she cherishes the family that her husband and children have built with all the love and admiration that make the next generation continue. It has not been easy by any means, but such is the life which we are placed. Even ignorance and want can feel the brightness of her loving example, within, through and for all. Happy Birthday!

Bear Coming Around the Mountain

I woke up this morning with these Bandera Blues
They sure have been slapping me around
So down and out I couldn't tie my shoes
They're about to drop me in the ground
If I could shake loose I would feel so fine
There's one thing for sure and it's on my mind
These Bandera Blues are gonna take their time
I've been living here, way down south
A place that I want to stay
Been working hard just to feed my mouth
Just can't keep them blues away
You say you're feeling bad and you don't know why
You're broke and your woman been lying
And just one thing before I'm fired
The blues have just been Banderafied
If I could just shake loose I would feel so fine

Boodini's Christmas Wish

I hope that the days come easy and the happy moments pass slow
And each road you travel leads you where you want to go
And if your faced with a choice, and you have to chose
I hope you chose the one that means most to you!
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walking till you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile!
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you in the place you left
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh you find God's grace, in every mistake
And you always give more than you take
And while your out there getting where you're getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
But more than anything, yes more than anything
My wish for you, is that this life becomes all you most want it too!

Merry Christmas to Our Moms

Why are you crying? he asked his mom. Because I'm a mother she told him. I don't understand, he said. His mom just hugged him and said,  you never will. Later the little boy asked his father why mother seemed to cry for no reason. All mothers cry for no reason, was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God, and when God got on the phone the man said, God why do mothers cry so easily? You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times come from their children. I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave them sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenagers anxieties and fears. I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it's needed. It's their only weakness. It's a tear for mankind.

Side note: If there had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men ?
Three Wise Women would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the Baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.

A Christmas Carol

Sinking into a bottomless pit of runners despair is no place to be. But it can happen, because you let it get out of hand. Somehow when all seemed lost Boodini comes to save me. Five miles is not a long run when you are looking at 12 times that, but it's all mental. This is Christmas and the focus is waiting on a savior, but that can come in all shapes and sizes. For some it's Hanukah, when I was at the ashram with Sri Satchidananda it was self realization, today it was just being a runner. Boodini and I do believe, no matter what the path of existence.

I was thinking not to post this, but whether looking outside in, or feeling everyone has a crutch, maybe like Tiny Tim, really it's just once this time of year, so here goes:
 When I say I'm a Christian I'm not shouting I'm saved. I'm whispering I get lost, that's why I chose this way.
When I say I'm a Christian I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide.
When I say I'm a Christian I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say I'm a Christian I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting that I've failed and probably cannot get it right on my own.
When I say that I'm a Christian I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of headaches which is why I seek His name.
When I say I'm a Christian I do not wish to judge. I have no authority I only know that I'm loved.

Go Figure ...only Five days

Christmas is not fun when your poor, he thought to himself as he climbed the stairs to his apartment. Being a young substitute teacher, and the calls to go in and teach had been few and far between. All the money went to bills which were all due and it was Christmas time. The married couple couldn't afford any gifts for each other, but they scraped enough loose change to buy their young daughter and son a few stuffed animals on sale. Christmas morning, he handed the presents to his 4 year old son, and 18 month old daughter, with a very sad smile on his face and watched as they did their best to tear off the wrapping paper. But as they pulled out their toys he noticed their smiles grow wide. Their eyes  lit up and they jumped up and down with glee. The children hugged the toys and their mom and dad. They played for hours that day with the stuffed animals, and he thanked the Man upstairs for the greater gift his children had given him. It was one of those special moments when pure love can fix struggling hearts. There is no lesser or greater gift if the gift is love. In truth the most priceless gift of all time was a gift from above of a poor Baby warmed in a hay manger, that changed the world forever. That gift showed everyone the way to live and love. May your Christmas be rich in love and may all your days be full of goodness and joy!

Elvis Sings....King to King

It is truly Christmas when you have both!

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees:
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul! My Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Still Counting

And the Grinch with his grinch feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could this be so?"
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought,
"doesn't come from a store."
" Maybe Christmas...perhaps....means a little bit more!"

Eight Remain

Once upon a time, a man punished his five year old daughter for using up the family's only roll of expensive gold wrapping paper before Christmas. Money was tight, so he became even more upset when on Christmas Eve, he saw that the child had used the wrapping paper to decorate a large shoebox she had put under the Christmas Tree. Nevertheless, the next morning the little girl, filled with excitement, brought the gift box to her father and said,"This is for you, Daddy!" As he opened the box, the father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, now regretting how he punished her.
But when he opened the shoebox, he found it was empty and again his anger flared. "don't you know, young lady," he said harshly, "when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package!" The little girl looked up at him with tears rolling from her eyes and whispered: " Daddy, it's  not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was full."
  The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his precious little girl. He begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger. An accident took the life of the child only a short time later. It is told the father kept this little shoebox by his bed for all the years of his life. Whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems, he would open the box, take out an imaginary kiss, and remember the love of his beautiful child who had put it there.
  In a very real sense, each of us have been given an invisible box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our family, friends and the Promise of Christmas. There is no more of a precious possession anyone could hold.

Ten Days and Counting

In 1914 " The Peace of the Western Front" gave a brief pause in the shelling and gunfire that had given devastation to mankind in World War I. Soldiers on both sides filed out of the trenches into "No Man's Land" and exchanged rations, cigarettes, and hands of peace. It lasted only that Christmas Day,  simply impermanence. The Noel tree is green with color of Hope and it's needles point upward with the wish of higher thoughts. The Star is the fulfillment of the promise that soon the light of the Candle will illuminate the way we will walk. Ornaments and gifts will remain the generosity and giving we can share with one another if we only try. The Wreath that is hung will lay claim to the continuous round of affection that we have for friends and family. Candy Canes and Angels abound the decor as a reminder of the staff of the shepherds, the singing voices that gather and herald the peace that we too can be happy about. The Bell is rung now and reminds us that soon if we only look out we will be able to lend a hand to those in greater need than our own.

Twelve Days of Christmas

We are closing in on a new moment. Anticipation cannot move it any closer, others would wish to apply the brakes. The story of life is a blink of an eye. The story of love is hello and goodbye, so we say until we meet again. The cold and ice has left the change of a new race date, and many now because of the die hard attitude find themselves sick and flu ridden. Yes we are all trail runners, but like either story it all quickly fades.
Maker of this heart of mine
You know me very well
You understand my deepest part
More than I know myself
So when I face the darkness
When I need to find my way
I'll trust in you
Shepherd of my heart
Keeper of this heart of mine
Your patience has no end
You've loved me back into your arms
Time and time again
So if I start to wander
Like a lamb that's gone astray
Il trust in you
Shepherd of my heart
You're the beacon of my nights
Your the sunlight of my days
I can rest within your arms
I know your loving ways
So let the cold winds blow
Let the storms rage around
I'll trust in you
Keeper of my heart
Giver of this life of mine
You're what I'm living for
For all the deepest gratitude
You love me even more
So as I walk through valleys
Listening for the Master's call
I'll trust in you
Shepherd of my heart