I’ll do the dishes, not all, just some; I make the coffee and feed the dog.
Or maybe I go to “Peet’s Coffee,” and order a large Latte and the girl will ask “Can I help you?” And I'll say no, but I'll take a large latte." And she'll say “It’ll be a second, the machine is warming.” And I’ll think – I guess they don’t really open at six. And then she’ll turn and do the dishes, not all just some, and we’ll wait.
And then I merge, and the sun rises and I think how lucky I am. And then I think about other places and other people and how one man’s sunrise is another man’s sunset. And then I think, while I drive, that someone, someplace is lying on a beach soaking in the sun. And then I think about someone, someplace lying on the ground soaking in blood. And then I think about their father and I wonder, if he’s anything like me. Did he wake up this moringing and do dishes, not all just some, did he make coffee and feed the dog…

Discover-self:
See Beautiful - Be Beautiful

Love Today

The past - we can't change,
The future - is unknown,
The present - the present is evident, it's certain,
Love today and let that love
choose your path.

The Hug

Some folks carry the weight of the world in their hearts and it gets real heavy at times. Sneaks up on em' like a snake bite. Others, have learned to balance the weight of both the good and bad, shifting the load, from their hearts to their shoulders and back again. If you are one of those, then I suggest you hug more often. And when you do, take a bit of the burden of those who's hearts grow heavy, shift the load from their heart to your shoulders. A simple gesture - it only takes a few seconds, it's just a hug – or is it?

Mothers Day

At age 25, mom had six children; one child after the other. I remember walking to school with my brothers. I’d look back over my shoulder and see mom standing at the window. She always had one child in her arms.

One hand holds the child,
The other –
Makes the meal,
Finds socks and shoes,
Packs lunches,
Combs the hair,
And readies us for school.

At the window she stands,
Her blessings in line,
One hand holds the child,
The other – Holds mine

A lesson in Compassion

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I saw an old man; he was humbly dressed, wearing a red hat and sweeping a driveway. I thought to myself – I wonder if it’s his house (it was a nice house) or is he just the gardener/caretaker. Then I saw a young girl sitting on the steps of the house watching the old man sweeping. So then I figured he must be the grandfather. And then I saw a homeless-man shuffle by the house. Without hesitation, the old man stopped sweeping, reached in his pocket and pulled out a dollar, and gave it to the homeless guy. The old man just gave – no thought, no hesitation; it was the unconditional nature of the man. He went back to sweeping and the little girl went back to watching him sweep. And then I thought – Oh! I get it! A random act of kindness, etched into the memory of his granddaughter – Compassion. The old man is brilliant.

Eris

Eris is on my mind…

Eris and I met in grade school and although we went to different high schools we remained friends. Never dated, just really good friends. I just turned 51 years old and Eris has been on my mind.

When we were 14, I walked into my kitchen and there was Eris, laughing, smiling, and baking zucchini bread with dad.

When we were 16, Eris and I were driving downtown and she asked me, “Pat, have you ever been in love?” I said, “No Eris, I’m still working on my favorite flavor of ice cream!”

That summer she moved away. She moved to San Diego, but we kept in touch. One night, dad walked into my room with a phone-bill and said “How can anybody talk on the phone, long distance for 4 hours?” I said, “Dad, I made the call, but Eris does all the talking, I just listen.”

At age 18, she went off to college and I joined the Navy. When I was 20, my ship pulled into San Diego for a short visit. Standing on the dock, were three beautiful girls. Eris in the middle. The sailors were saying, “Wow, check out those girls, I wonder who they’re waiting for?” I was saying, “Excuse me, excuse me, coming through," and "I’ll see you guys in a couple days.”

On her graduation from college, I drove down to the University to surprise her. I walked the line of graduates until I found her and gave her 11 roses – I kept one for her mom (I was gonna need a place to stay that night).

Over the next few years, our own lives took hold. She married and so did I. She had children, as did I. ...And then, one day, she called. She said, “Pat, I’m not doing well.” She said, “I have cancer.” I said, “Wow, I’m sorry," I said, "I’ll come see you real soon.”

She died a few months later, she was 33 years old and I never got the chance to see her.
I’m 51 years old now. When we were 16 she asked, “Pat, have you ever been in love?”

…Well, my favorite Ice cream is Swiss Orange Chip… And I really miss Eris!