Thanksgiving

Sky above mountains

pink painted, swirling

impossible blue, shot with

sun's rising rays.

Early morning fire crackle, 

cat on lap, world still, 

listening.

Tousled heads bobbing

down hallway, tiny

arms round neck,

kisses.

Shoes heaped in

piles, toys lying in wait

like land mines,

songs sung loudly and

off-key. Juice spilled

again, chocolate-smeared

faces grinning at jokes

told a hundred times.

Golden hair streaming

as she runs. Giggles

cascading, contagious.

Finding his stories, written

by flashlight at bedtime.

The smell of sawdust

in his hair. Strong hands catching

daughters flying through the air,

building Lego masterpieces, creating

a home.

Breathing

the song of His

story.

Naming and

being named.

Sharing the

struggles shot through with

joy, knowing victorious

Love.