memories slumbered

in perfect silence

memories slumbered

as snowflakes

blanketed their beds

--julie king

as i was headed toward the cemetery on thursday afternoon i noticed another sojourner walking in the cemetery. she was bundled up against the cold but her stature and spirit were open. open to the beauty that surrounded her. open to the quiet. open to the joy that is walking in a snowfall. i wondered if she'd come to visit a loved one. was her heart heavy with sadness and loss? or was she like me -- buoyant and blessed by all god's bounty.

let me take a minute each day to be open to the world, to slow down, breathe in the essence of life and say a little prayer of thanks for the blessings.