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friendship, fruit, and love

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When we move to a new location (near or far away), we experience a season of transience. To borrow from horticultural illustrations: it takes us time to grow into new environments, become adjusted, and settle. As we settle, the older, most resilient roots and branches need extra tending, pruning, or care; whilst we wish for the newest shoots or sprigs to develop in an expedited manner so that we can get out of uprooted shock and into a new season of growth that leads to a harvest of sweet, good fruits. One of the fruits that takes the most time is the fruit of friendship. Uprooted people need connection through friendship just as much as those who have the advantage of staying somewhere many seasons, years--perhaps a lifetime! Connection and social support scaffold resilience and are vital for our holistic humanity and healthy growth! Growth cannot be rushed. In fact, friendships take time. Though there are exceptions, we generally feel closest to those we spend the most time with. How...
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Escalator E[ad]vent

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Live music in the beautiful (souq or souk) section of Dubai Mall Went looking for an advent calendar (similar to the reusable one we had in The States) and I made a scene in the mall. It wasn’t a purposeful scene. Totally accidental. Rode up the escalator. But, at the top, I ran into problems because I jammed my shoe into the final step. It happened in slow motion. I pulled one foot out (along with the shoe) when I realized what was happening. The other foot, however did not make it fast enough, so I had to let the shoe go for my toes’ sake. It went. It stuck. The escalator stopped. All toes accounted for and undamaged. It took those behind me a few seconds to realize that they needed to start climbing if they wanted to continue their journey. Like (Cinderella’s) Prince Charming, I stood by the lost shoe. In fact, for a moment, I thought I might be trampled (maybe Cinderella was wise for running?) for trying to pull the shoe out.  I went from a Charming to Ugly Step-Sister po...
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Festive Now

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 It doesn't feel festive now The coffee shop in The Greens has a pine scent and cozy corners Christmas decor and advent calendars emerge Our Christmas tree is up--with lights No ornaments yet It doesn't feel festive now On Saturday we watched cliched Christmas movies Yesterday we had gingerbread lattes I light peppermint, cinnamon, and pine-scented candles Frankincense and myrrh room spray are on the counter--ready for mirth I see, taste, smell, hear, and touch Christmassy things But sense it is not festive now. When fresh cranberries were in the store I put them into my cart, onto the conveyor belt, into my reusable bag  Made a plastic transaction and put them in the car We rode the elevator together--home  And I washed them I froze them--they lie in the freezer It doesn't feel festive now. Festive is not sad It's sad--I feel sad Lonliness accompanies me I feel overwhelmed Anxiety overtakes Anxiety is not festive now It robs presence, engagement--reality It lies--like ...
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