Bird Droppings December 6, 2011

A new life as we make the journey

 

Resurrection

By Susan Thomas Underwood

 

The universe is energy in constant motion.

There are ebbs and flows;

Outcomes and income,

And change…… Always change.

 

The physical world reflects this motion

In the cycles of life,

There is spring and fall, winter and summer,

Birth and death; and rebirth…

Resurrection!

 

Einstein proved that even time is relative

In his theory of relativity,

All is relative …. All is change

You can count on it.

 

Be then as the willow;

Learn to bend with the wind!

Always dream, though your dreams may change.

Always produce, though your product may change.

Always love, though your love may change.

Always live, though your life will change.

You can count on it!

 

            Susan Thomas Underwood is a native Oklahoman, Shawnee, and author. I saw her book of thoughts, Walk with Spirit on Amazon.com and thought I might take a look. This was a very special weekend for me and my family. We celebrated a first birthday for our grandbaby, my youngest son and his wife brought Charlie by Saturday and of course we kidnapped her for Saturday night this past weekend. My middle son asked his girlfriend of over a year if she would marry him a year ago this past weekend and this coming weekend we celebrate their wedding.  My nephew and his wife celebrated their son’s first birthday.  As an extended family we received so many blessings these past few days. As I read this first entry in Underwood’s book I thought to my own existence these past sixty two plus years and changes I have been through, as a son, parent, husband, father and now grandfather for a year.

 

“The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, the summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky, the rhythm of the sea, speaks to me. The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning, the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me. The strength of the fire, the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me and my heart soars.” Chief Dan George

 

Dan George was a Salish chief from Canada and an accomplished actor later in his life. Some may remember him from Little Big Man or Outlaw Josie Wales. But he was too an eloquent speaker and poet. He often spoke of nature but also of the intertwining of life. Of the roads we each travel and cross many times. I spent most of the past weekend watching, observing, holding and photographing my granddaughter. Each gesture and smile has been a first for her. How we as family respond and encourage her will be how she continues to respond.

I blog daily which if you are reading this I am sure are very aware. I also read numerous blogs and try and keep up with various news and education related websites and emails. One of which is appropriate entitled unlocktheteacher. In a post yesterday the author posted a poem from a former student. This is written by an elementary student getting ready to transition to middle school.

 

Transitions

By J. Harvey, 2011

 

Transitions,

In life there will be changes,

There comes a time when everybody’s life rearranges.

 

For instance when you have to say farewell to friends you know,

When everything you have gone through has made you grow.

 

The life you have grown accustom to has suddenly changed,

No matter where you turn or look it will always seem estranged.

 

I wonder how fast change has to take place,

I know in my heart that I’m not in a race.

 

How can one say good-bye?

To the ones that have made you laugh and cry.

 

I know that now is time for my last year,

With the friends and teachers that I endear.

 

This is a transition that must run its course,

How hard it is going to be, and full of remorse.

 

As I read these words from a child with all happening in my own life how meaningful they were to me. Each day we transition to the next and how we accept and move through the next is all part of the web of life.

 

As a teacher being a grandparent becomes teaching job number one, not so much to have her belief or think as I do but to provide pathways for her to walk and learn on her own. Our journeys in life are not always smooth going and it is being able to offer a hand when needed. Watching my granddaughter and son as we went for blood work the day after she was released from the hospital and seeing the bond that had been made in a few short hours is one of a lifetime. Watching her mother hold and talk softly whispering as she carefully touch’s her eyes, nose and cheeks is a bond that is impossible to break. During a brief moment I am peering through the lens of my camera as my granddaughter in a matter of seconds in her grandmother’s lap made a series of facial expressions while napping almost as if she knew I have grandma wrapped around my tiny finger now. As the orator and actor Dan George stated so many years ago, “they speak to me and my heart soars”.

Here I am into a new week and fixin to spend a few days with my grandbaby and adding a daughter in law, it is all happening so fast. May peace be with you all in the coming days and may we all keep all in harm’s way on our hearts and on our minds and may we always give thanks.

namaste

bird