A few hours ago, I returned from a 2-week journey to the East Coast. During my travels, I visited a dear friend (Gracie), who is a cloistered nun, and I attended my youngest son's wedding. Both encounters were amazing. 

The meeting with my friend was unlike any other that I've had with her over the 35 years we've known one another. On this visit, she relayed a vision of such extraordinary power that I was left speechless. 

I don't have the words to explain her vision adequately, but I've attempted to relay it in verse. Fundamentally, she spoke of the unquenchable nature of the Creator's love -- it being all that exists. There is no hell, only our personal blindness, and love is its healing reprieve. 

My humble attempt follows. 

By Gwen Plano

Each week poet Ronovan Hester sponsors a Haiku prompt challenge, and folks (like me) try to follow his lead. This week the two words are fragile and heartbeat. If you have interest in this poetic form, please click on his name and you'll be guided to his website where you'll find detailed instructions. 

​My poem is entitled, Fragile Grace. 

Monday I fly to New York City for my youngest son’s wedding. I’ve started packing and now realize how accustomed I’ve become to retired life. My daily wear of t-shirts and jeans betrays me. I hadn't foreseen the challenge of finding a suitable dress.

Along with packing I’m flooded with memories of my son, of piano lessons and football practices, of puppies and gerbils, of skateboards and so much more.

As I think back to these early years, I remember the struggle to balance work with my children’s needs. I never felt I could do enough, though I now marvel at what I achieved. I’d drive my four kids to the mountain lifts in the early morning, so they could ski or snowboard. I’d take them to their practices and games -- baseball, soccer, football and for my daughter, ballet. It was a very busy time in my life, but so, so precious.

I mention the above, because all parents struggle to balance the details of life for their families. They want only the best for their children. Like parents everywhere, nothing makes me happier than seeing my children happy. And, like parents everywhere, nothing saddens me more than my children hurting for one reason or another. This point brings me to today's tragic events. 

Just a short while ago, students in Santa Fe, TX were senselessly killed. My heart breaks for these youngsters and especially for their mothers and fathers who are facing the most crushing of life’s blows. In a bullet’s split second, their worlds were turned upside down. Their hopes of seeing their son or daughter walk down the aisle, lost forever.

I imagine these parents are thinking back through the years of their daughter or son's life. They are remembering the ball games, the dancing classes, the ordinary things of life. And, they are wishing they could have done more. Don't we all wish similarly?

What can any of us do to offer support for a parent knowing such profound grief?

​I have no answers, but I am surrounding these mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers with tenderness. It may be that loving prayer is all that any of us can offer. We cannot replace what has been taken, no words can soften that horror. 

May these young people rest in God's holy peace and may their parents find solace through friends and family. And may we collectively create sacred space - where life is held dear. 

Each week poet Ronovan Hester sponsors a Haiku prompt challenge, and folks (like me) try to follow his lead. This week the two words are body and art. If you have interest in this poetic form, please click on his name and you'll be guided to his website where you'll find detailed instructions. 

We imagine our memories to be lodged in our mind, and then a simple touch brings us back in time - to another touch, loving or unkind. Hidden, it awaits our discovery through The Art of Life  - the ups and downs, the laughter and the tears, the joys and the fears.  

I've attempted to capture this dynamic through the image of a young woman holding life itself. 

Dear blog friend, 

     Author John W. Howell and I are launching our Inspirational Thriller, 
​THE CONTRACT between heaven and earth, on June 4th. We would like to do an announcement tour beginning on June 4th and continuing through June 17th. If you would like to help, please send an e-mail to johnhowell(dot)wave(at)gmail.com. All the material will be sent, and for those of you on Wordpress or other blogs that accept HTML, all you'll have to do is copy, paste, and schedule. For others, we will include the text and media in an e-mail.To help make up your mind, here is the blurb.
                                                                    ~ ~ ~ ~
     The earth is under the threat of a catastrophic political event which could result in international warfare and destroy all life on the planet. In heaven, a divine council decides that extraordinary measures are essential. They call for an intervention that involves two souls returning to earth. The chosen two sign a contract that they will work to avert the disaster.
     Brad Channing, a Navy SEAL, and Sarah O’Brien, a teacher, become heaven’s representatives on earth. The story follows them as they individually and then together face overwhelming obstacles and eventually end up on a strategic Air Force base in California. It is there that they discover a conspiracy to assassinate the President of the United States. The terrorists have a plan for global dominance, and they are determined to complete their mission. Although military leadership appears to have the President’s best interests at heart, it is not clear who can be trusted and who should be feared. The action is rough and tumble as Brad and Sarah try to figure out the culprits of the plot that will turn into a worldwide conflagration unless stopped.
​     If you enjoy thrillers, this is one with enough twists and adventure to keep you riveted and guessing. If you like your thriller along with a good romance, Brad and Sarah’s initial attraction and eventual love will sustain you as they live out their heavenly and earthly desires.

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.