I began in Iowa, land of flat cornfields
and people I love,
of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and peace.
The willow tree was in Iowa,
at Aunt Nadine and Uncle Phil’s.
I loved it, I climbed it and sat there by myself.
No one seemed to wonder where I was.
Did no one think to worry?
Or was I never really noticed at all?
Emily calls us “The Frozen People.”
I learned in my 30’s how to hug.
I’m flustered and shaken
when a friend says “I love you.”
I can never say “I love you” back,
even when I do.
I come from a family who likes to drink.
I was into my 20’s, already a mom
when I named it alcoholism.
In later years it damaged Dad’s brain,
leading to strokes and a blessed death.
It destroyed my mother’s spirit
and left her an empty shell.
I swore I’d never be like either one.
I’m not, of course, but I came close.
So, I come from Iowa.
I value honesty and compassion.
My spirit’s thawed somewhat.
I will reach out and hug.
I laugh a lot. It’s that or cry.
I’m probably a smartass,
but my friends don’t seem to mind.
Now I am where my kids are from.
“Don’t lie, don’t cheat and don’t be afraid.”
I talk about no expectations
and I share my trust of God.
Everyone has a story, I say,
and you can’t tell by looking what it is.
I pray for them and I love them.
That’s all there really is to do.
A day at a time, I co-create my lifetime.
God and I are on an adventure,
together we make a pilgrimage.
It starts out where I’m from
and ends up in infinity.
Amen.
Amma Ponders 