LUGGAGE Lady

Contemplations about Life, Love, & the Pursuit of Meaningful Existence…

My Serendipitous Romance

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Vacant heart

Fielding layers of incessant gray

Resigned to mediocrity

Not seeking

Yet, there you were

Seemingly too-good-to-be-true

A real life sorcerer

Vibrantly colorizing my world from that first mystical smile

Sowing hope atop ashes of forsaken dreams

Captivation so electrifying

Love’s rays swooning the stars to lasso the moon

Anticipating the next

But relishing the now

Nurturing what is

So “the end” never pecks its way across our page

Euphoria thickens my throat

Tears of appreciation silently pool

Swept off my feet for a lifetime

My Serendipitous Romance

***

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Treasured Readers…

May love worthy of your honorable hearts gently embrace you — today, and always!

(photo: Hong Kong Harbor 2011)

 

In Depth’s Absence, Impressions Still Endear

 

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As a novice kayaker, I assumed the best technique was to plunge my oar deeply, keeping it submerged as long as possible to maximize forward mobility. This strategy worked in short bursts but quickly drained my spindly limbs.

Fortunately, in preparation for an eight-hour jaunt around Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, our instructor taught us the swift and shallow approach. Loosely gripping our paddles with elbows extended as if a beach ball rested in our laps, we were to catch, propel, and release the water. Relying on core and leg muscles, I completed the trek without requiring rescue — which made me wonder whether poor form hindered other facets of my life?

Now, I’d been called “a bit intense” on more than a few occasions, so the concept of surfacy interactions seemed akin to dreaming in a foreign language. Yet, my “what’s-the-quinessential-meaning-of-life” tendencies prickled carefully guarded comfort zones. I started appreciating the ease with which others established speedy rapport and noticed how, even brief snippets of connectivity, still resonated.

These days, just as I study the tide and current tables before launching my kayak on the San Francisco Bay, I’m keenly cognizant of those who seek a buffer from overly animated, philosophical sorts like me. And, although the temptation to thrust my paddle well beneath the surface beckons, I gingerly reel myself back several notches — knowing:  In depth’s absence, impressions still endear.

Bounteous Spirits Populating My Journey

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With each venture

The globe magically reveals herself

Pearl after generous pearl

A trend emerging

The fellow traveler’s warm disposition

Exchanging secret paths

Recommending hidden treasures

Gesturing down cobblestone alleyways

Eager to share establishments ripe with local flair

Extending genuine invitations

To be their guest

Halfway around the world

Kindhearted souls

Connecting in a manner

Seldom afforded in everyday life

Comrades in adventure

Life-enhancing encounters

Bounteous spirits populating my journey

When You Were Worthy of the Finest

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Remember when…

Adorned by family and friends

Cameras captured

Your fanciful march

Besotted with promise

Twirling fuchsia bouquet

In your tailored silk gown

Intricate ring placed with trembling hand

Imparting unity eternal

Freshly bound souls

Dreams bubbling like Champagne

Whispered cheek-to-cheek

Beneath a propitious moon?

But life unfolded…

Human condition consuming

Boxes to check

Building a home, family — career

Hearts taken for granted

Prioritizing spouse and children

Personal ambitions shelved

Until one day a ray of sunshine startles…

Elicits yesterday’s smile

Ironing a face etched by sacrifice

And resurrecting hope

From that time

When you were worthy of the finest…

Hearts Shielded by Anonymity

 

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Someone recently told me, “There are two types in this world: friendly people and busy people.”

I was perplexed. Segregating two admirable traits appeared paradoxical. Keep in mind, I was raised by entrepreneurs whose mantra still is: “The harder you work, the luckier you become.” Of equal importance, was being kind and respectful to every single person along the way.

Clearly, I embarked upon adulthood sporting some rather thick rose-colored glasses. A hefty dosage of chilled reception would quickly dim their hue. At least now I had a tangible explanation. Apparently, the fundamental demands of existence left some folks — otherwise engaged. That wouldn’t stop me from throwing my heart in the ring.

Still, when basic attempts to connect with humanity falter, crawling into a dark cave can be tempting. I mean, who would even ponder putting themselves out there on a more intimate level? Whether seeking love or sharing an impassioned endeavor, baring one’s soul in anticipation of acknowledgment is a gut-wrenching pursuit.

Yet, as the days grow shorter, I wonder who teeters in their rockers mulling fewer regrets. Those who squinted into the blaze of indifference, risking ridicule by bravely belting out their songs? Or those who cautiously averted their gazes — hearts shielded by anonymity?

The Ultimate Gift

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For…

Opening your heart and providing a shoulder

Smiling through exhaustion

Listening in earnest although time is scarce

Sharing uplifting words

For…

Extending courtesies without hesitation

Complimenting a stranger

Dropping a welcome note at a new neighbor’s door

Leaving a person or place better just because you cared

For…

Appreciating each moment and never taking family, friends — or life for granted

Seeking the best in others

Giving what you can to those who struggle

Earning and extending trust

For…

Remaining silent in the absence of positive thoughts

Honoring friendship

Revering respect as the cornerstone of love

Improving our world with every gracious gesture

For…

Demonstrating the true spirit of Christmas

And being

The Ultimate Gift…


An Unbreakable Circle

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In Honor of My Mom’s Birthday…

No matter where I venture in this world

You travel with me

A secret strength embedded in my soul

An infinite friendship

Illuminating my path

Your tireless support

Elevates my spirit

Like a mesmerizing sunset stuns spectators to silence

While poets and artists struggle to capture the true essence

Standing back in wonderment

Hearts flooding with optimism

Our connection enhances my existence

In ways words and pictures cannot adequately depict

Boundlessly maternal

You gracefully care for all fortunate enough to cross your path

A gift to the universe

Mine by extraordinary fate

Intertwined for eternity

The enduring bond of love between mother and daughter

An unbreakable circle…

We Are One

 

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I have

Dreamed into a universal sky

Rife with promise of a new day

I have

Dangled foot in waters connecting us

I have

Drawn sustaining breaths from an atmosphere without borders

And I have

Realized

We experience this world

Together

Whether buoyed by blissful joy

Or

Bruised by unimaginable tragedy

Nothing separates

Hearts overlapping

We are one…

Reeling with Gratitude

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I confess: I’ve spent a lifetime playing it “safe.” Unless I could spy a clear-cut path to assured “success,” I shied away from “risky” opportunities. In regards to my writing, I surmised, better to be unread than to have my creativity slaughtered by critics!

Then, I met my husband and tried to wrap my mind around his life-story:

A high school oops given up for adoption…a ward of the state for seven months…adopted by a couple who would divorce by his seventh birthday…raised solely by his adoptive father who turned to the bottle to ease his solitude…beaten routinely…escaping to join the Air Force…only to return home and helplessly watch his only parent succumb to cancer…orphaned at twenty-three…after which he would track down biological parents who ultimately wanted nothing to do with him…

???!!……………………………………………………………….!!???

First off,  I could not fathom how a man forced to grow up with zero maternal love was capable of loving me so completely. Furthermore, how did a person raised under a banner of rejection and abuse achieve such sky-high dreams? I, a child blessed with a “Beaver Cleaver-type upbringing,” had known no such hardship. How could I begin to understand the anguish of not having a soul on this planet to call family?

I’m not qualified, I silently panicked! What could I offer — besides unwavering love?

I did the only other thing I felt capable of — I started writing a fictionalized version of his experience. What started out as an education about the lingering wounds of adoption, evolved into an endeavor that superseded fear. One I will never give up on until it is worthy of ALL who have walked — for whatever reason — in abandonment’s painful shoes.

Rehashing a manuscript, again and again, can leave one numb. Starting this blog inspired me to keep my writing fresh. Where I struggled in my fictional world, here I found salvation. But NEVER in my wildest dreams did I expect to find such an incredibly supportive community…

Reeling with gratitude, I can only bow my head and say — THANK YOU!

***

Special Thanks to:

Teacher as Transformer who nominated me for the Very Inspiring and Sunshine Blogger Awards. He is truly the teacher we all wished we had in our younger days. I am elated to have discovered him — better late than never!

Global Light Minds who nominated me for Blog of the Year. Wendy’s daily snippets are my number one inspirational indulgence. Follow her, you won’t be disappointed!

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I wish to nominate the following blogs:

Eric M Vogt’s Blog — His intriguing background captured me from the git-go, but his amazing writing will change your world for the better…

Untetherednunbroken — Beautiful, eloquent, soul-stirring and so very real…

The Silent Muse — An incredibly prolific writer. My finger hurts from hitting the LIKE button so often…

Aarthi — I have no idea how she writes so consistently beautiful every single day…

MindRetrofit7 — Add another star already, Angel!

Global Light Minds — Add another star, Wendy!

Withering Words of Mind — Kent is new on the scene but certainly not new to the written word, what a magical find…

For all those I missed in this talented pool…or haven’t had the privilege of discovering yet, I can’t wait to read your delightful words!! XO

Lead Me to Forever

 

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I study the mirror

Doubt marring my reflection

When he says he loves me

Yesterday’s gullible girl swiftly discounts

Sentiments tumbling bravely in candlelit hours

Oft-forgotten by sunrise

When he adds that I’m beautiful

I thwart such flattery

Weary eyes mock

Witness to my journey

Naiveté

Hasty moves

False friends

Humiliation

Deep lines frame a sputtering twinkle

But flatness dominates

Harsh lessons reaping cynical eyes

Yet this weathered heart implores

Booming wildly

Just…Once…More

I paint on a smile

And turn out the light

Bracing for a final gamble

Trust versus eternal solitude

With trembling arms

I gather scraps of tattered faith

Praying he’ll prove different

Upstanding

Renew my belief in love

And lead me to forever…

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