Not so empty

Everyone gets his or her own experience:  parents, children.  This nest is not defined by its emptiness. It is not so empty.

How’s the empty nest?

They ask

Not so empty

I respond.

There are traces

And texts

And the occasional phone call.

These tell me

Which updrafts

My not-so-baby bird

Is catching;

Which trees

Provide shelter;

What the flock looks like;

Where she flies alone

But still

Not too alone.

Empty nest?

Maybe

But still

Not too empty

Different order

With our daughter having the full week before Christmas off, we changed things up and visited the Florida relatives before Christmas this year.  Returning home today, the excitement level on the plane was palpable.  This year we learned new things about the Florida folk, precisely (I think) because we entered their life at a different point.  Things were not as orchestrated.  They felt more real.  Us?  Them?  Who knows exactly?  Best of all, we still have Christmas to come.

The flight was filled

With small excited voices.

As we headed home,

They set out North

To find snow,

Christmas cookies,

Probably a grandparent

Or two.

Any snow we had before we left

Is now days gone.

Still…

Tomorrow is the tree,

Lessons and carols while we wrap.

A different order to things this year

From last.

Florida, then Christmas.

We return home as others leave.

The cat answers the door;

He does not remember

Another order.

Here are still warm laps

To fill,

A food dish,

A new toy.

I forgot I had wings

Getting my system cleared of the mood-altering medication has made an amazing difference.  I tried to give it back to the doctor... it does not come cheap... but found it cannot be returned like bad canned goods.  There is no recycling program for such medications.   

Anyway, I*m glad I was off the medication in time for Convention.  I was able to witness the Spirit blowing there.  Though the exercise on Friday was to spread out our arms to be open to embrace another, I saw a roomful of people lifted into possible flight, with feathers and hollow bones, and all.  I had forgotten I had wings.

Again

The Holy Spirit blows through.

It provides the lift

Under my wings.

I forgot I had wings.

We all

Have wings

When we spread our arms.

One week out it seems the drug

Is out of my system.

There are more connections,

More possibilities.

But It is so much more than this.

The Spirit provides the lift

Under the wings

I had forgotten about,

Forgotten until I spread out my arms,

Noticed I was held up,

Lighter

Than air.

Only then I felt the feathers,

The hollow bones,

The Spirit that holds me up,

The Spirit

That lifts me up.

No heaviness here.

Only feathers and hollow bones.

I am lifted up.

The Spirit catches the air

Under my wings.

I learn again what it is

To fly.