retired (or just tired)

Thank God for retirement! People may think the idea unbiblical but I disagree. God told Moses that priests should serve from age 25-50 and then retire.* They could help the younger priests after that. Of course, you don’t quit working; just quit working full-time and do what you can to help the next generation(s). You are free from the pressure to perform!

You must earn this stage of life and then you can reap the blessings of age. It’s hard for many to have enough to live on in later years because none of us know how long we’ll live so what is “enough”? It may be elusive but what a grand concept…to finally make time for the things you really want to do. Travel, exercise, volunteer, pray, read, spend time with spouse, visit friends, enjoy grandchildren, try hobbies, write poetry!

Growing older is not for the faint of heart, especially as the heart may faint. Body parts give out and may need repair or replacement but there’s no real cure for aging. You may even reach invisibility…people no longer pay attention to you which can be frustrating because you finally have the wisdom of experience! Yet now you are free to be you without worrying what other people think…except you want to be a better example to the youngsters.

to quote my dear aunt,

“aging is not for wimps”

travel down new roads

*Numbers 8:24-26

Linked with dVerse poets where Frank J. Tassone is hosting haibuns…

small blessings

smiles and giggles
playing prisoner
till released

mindful anticipation
learning new game
directed energy

little hands warm mine
exploring outdoors
in wonder

quiet cozy moments
reading favorites
with blanket

words in unison
praying aloud
by memory

for every little blessing
we give thanks,

Father

______________

A quadrille (44 words) including the word “warm”. Written for dVerse where Lisa tends the pub 🙂

making memories

grandchildren’s weekend

visit foreign candy store

summertime sweetness

_______

see lit jar lantern

granddaughter catches fireflies

flashes in twilight

_______

water park zipline

grandson glides off high platform

makes big splash in pool

_______

baby grasshoppers

hop wildly around our feet

wait till they grow up!

bright idea

 

breezy
october fun
expedition to patch
grandchildren hunt for perfect pick
PUMPKIN!
take orange globe home to carve it
light a candle inside
jack-o-lantern
big smiles

 

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Colleen Chesebro’s challenge to write a butterfly cinquain with one color word in it.  A butterfly cinquain is 9 lines of 2-4-6-8-2-8-6-4-2 syllables.

provision of comfort

profuse blooms of purple mum
colorful confetti of fallen leaves

frisky hop of harvesting squirrel
quick flash of tattletale blue jay

graceful swish of favorite skirt
soft whiteness of furry cardigan

moist texture of rhubarb cake
full cup of chai almond milk tea

delightful giggles of grandchild
sweet smile of namesake baby

real conversation of true friend
warm touch of faithful partner

prayer bond of blood brothers
joyful worship of Jesus people

photo by lynn


weathered pastels

Kristjaan at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai inspires “springtime haibun” challenge…

Two years ago we invited our five grandchildren and their parents for Easter dinner after Resurrection Sunday worship. We already enjoyed warmer spring temperatures and tulip bulbs sprouted in the garden. A delicious meal was planned featuring honeyed ham with favorite side dishes. The mothers laid out their children’s best clothes with frills and bowties in anticipation of the next day’s celebration.

During the night, it snowed a wet blanket on the greening lawn and dirt farmyard. Plans for our first annual Easter egg hunt had to modified over the protests of the children, who were soothed by the fruity taste of jellybeans. The rabbit tracks across the waiting garden disappeared with the melting snow. New life persists and now nine grandkids are budding on the branches of our family tree.

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photo by lynn

 

wet snow on easter

spring’s resurrection muddied

hide the eggs indoors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Later the same year, our weathered, fifty-year-old kitchen cupboards were re-done (resurrected) in “espresso” with distressed brass hardware  🙂

kazahana (snowflakes)

photo credit:  www.livescience.comig35_snowflakes_04_02

 

winter’s secret joy

expecting new grandchildren

love’s art develops

 

every snowflake is unique

each design original

 


Linking with other haiku poets at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai today.