I remember a Christmas season..1977. My newborn son was about 4 months old, and as I rocked him one still evening and basked in the light of our small Christmas tree in that old rock house in Farmington, Utah….I reflected upon my feelings of joy and wonder, and thought of Mary and the baby Jesus, and her story became personal to me, and I penned a poem/song that has been posted here before…just a few lines for now:
I know of a baby just as small as you,
Born in a country that the shepherds knew.
A host of angels sang a song to him.
Birds chirped praises and ox kept time.
Stars shone brightly on that night divine,
For the little babe born in Bethlehem.
He was born that night for you and me,
So we could grow to perfect be,
And live in joy…forever,
Together.
And now, another Christmas season is here, and this year I hold a newborn grandson, and those same feelings come rushing in, and I’d like to post a few lines from a poem given to me on my birthday: Rhythm of the Heart–
Basked in your love
like a lizard--soaking sun
now I too have played the part
to soothe the fears
to tend the heart
watch them fall
wait for the rise
A mother's heart is open wide
a mother's heart is often broke
it's full of guilt
it's full of hope
tenderness
ferocious pride
The days are long
the years fly by
midnight feedings
sleepless nights
messy rooms
and tickle fights
chubby hands--reaching
A mother is a creature divided
such overwhelming, bittersweet joy
baited breath as bird takes flight
please let them soar--let them fly.
