a moment in a place.

this is the place.

where mountains collide with sea.

where music dances through the springtime air.

and people dance in response. freely. incessently. harmoniously.

this is the moment.

when friends from ages past. and new acquaintences

gather on common ground.

and feet tap in rhythm with stringed instruments.

this is the place.

where the rain usually falls.

but somehow ceases.

to make allowance for blue skies that match our spirits.

this is the moment.

that teaches us impermance.

as beautiful chords must conclude.

and paths must inevitably diverge.

this is the place.

that will always be a part of us.

as the music that fills our souls.

inspires the next steps our feet take.

this is the moment.

to be embraced. and let go of.

to be loved. and abandoned.

as life flows on. the evolving symphony that it is.

purple beach glass

we searched for cracks in the frozen sea

to release these broken pieces of purple glass.

in hopes they might transform

into something beautiful.

by something bigger than ourselves.

in a timing we could not predict.

a ritual of letting go.

of leaving behind.

and on the days before i left, i will always remember

the blueness of the skies.

the brightness of spring's growing light

reflected in winter's lingering snow.

and i will remember climbing mountains

and crossing rivers.

in community. in solitude.

in noise. in silence.

and i will remember music in living rooms.

that sometimes invited listening.

and sometimes encouraged playing.

but always warmed my heart.

and i will remember laughter

around kitchen tables.

and tears on carpeted floors

when we realized the changing times.

and i will remember the people i came to know.

the people i came to love.

from the youngest who spoke my name

to the oldest who wished she could see my face.

and i will know,

beyond a doubt,

that i was loved.

that i am loved still.

and i will remember the words of a wise woman

who said i must lose sight of the shore to discover another.

as she gave me her blessing.

to explore. to seek. to find.

so the blue skies. the white snow.

the music. the people.

the beauty in all its kinds.

will always be a part of me.

no matter where the wind blows,

i will always know

i have places to go back to.

and purple beach glass to find.