Posted on by mgminer · 4 Comments

Yellow

As I drove to and from work today, I noticed all the fresh new color and got to thinking how children often ask you what your favorite color is. The older I get, the harder this question becomes. Now, I really couldn’t say what my favorite color is. Each shade of green delights me; the pinks, purples, and whites are so dear; the backdrop of blue sky can be arresting; the bright yellow King Alfred daffodils is stunning. Add the effect of low, gray clouds softening it all with gentle rain and such a delicious smell. The spectrum broadens to include so much more than hue.

Coincidentally, a friend posted these words of Polly Castor (whose blog you can find here). I enjoyed her expression of yellow. Today, let’s go with yellow.

“Once the forsythia comes shouting out through its chorus of little trumpets, the rest of spring barrels in quickly with leaves and blooms in tow. No wonder these cadmium heralds are so welcome, clamoring noisily against the bare sticks and branches, crashing loudly against the blue sky, making a Swedish flag of the world. Next in the parade will proceed warm days, unfolding growth, and flourishing joy. Alleluia.”

I love the music of those words and add my own Alleluia.

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Thank you to all who make this writing space
a place of safety, support, and beauty.
Posted on by mgminer · 3 Comments

A Turn

If you know me, you know I am a sensitive person. I feel things deeply and strongly. Many days that makes life hard for me. Over the last 40 years, I have worked hard to manage the part of me that tends toward depression and sadness. The doctor called it different names over the years–endogenous depression, pervasive depressive disorder, and more recently, dysthymia. If you look those up, you’ll see that it’s no fun.

I no longer feel as much guilt about it as I used to, but there are days when I can really relate to the shriveled apple forgotten in the fruit bowl, or the bruised banana, better for making bread than eating. Today was one of those days. I just couldn’t “grateful” my way out of the funk, or get up enough energy to enjoy the bright beautiful sunshine. It was a lovely spring day, and I pretty much missed it.

Until…I headed to the store to get what we needed (including a cookie).

As the daylight was fading, the sky changed to many shades of pink, pink with a warm yellow tinge. I stopped at the traffic light where a tulip magnolia was in full bloom. This tree shouted spring. I noticed an elderly lady had stopped with her walker. She was gazing up into the purple, pink, and white blooms taking a picture. She seemed to take a long time with her frail arms stretched up into the blossoms. Since she had her walker near, I hoped that she would stay steady on her feet.

Just the sight of this small woman taking the time to pause at such beauty reminded me that life is good. My depressive day turned toward the light after all.

Photo: CREATIV STUDIO HEINEMANN/GETTY IMAGES
Thank you to all who make this writing space
a place of safety, support, and beauty.