Open House

Sharing germs with

All the little petri dishes

And their families.

Teachers' Table

Gathered around the table

We realize

We're all in this together.

Feeling separated by

The thin veneer of chairs

We soon come to sharing

Intimate conversations

That make us realize

Our need is to serve others

With the food

Of love and acceptance,

The knowledge

Of our shared humanity,

And the vulnerability

Of saving grace.

UnBirthday

I decided not to

Have a birthday this year,

I'd just add it on to next year.

But amid phone calls and cards

Gifts and good wishes

It turned out to be

A wonderful celebration of life!

Thanks for reminding me

To appreciate the day.

Our Summer Nonparty

What a wonderful gathering

Of family.

A comfortable closeness.

I felt taken care of

And loved.

Comfort food and caring

Concern and sharing.

I finally felt good,

With family around me

It would all work out

And our history and our future

Created a wonderful

Safe place to be.

The New Normal

It appears to include;

Bones stretched like taffy,

Nerves cut like cords,

Tingling across the chest,

A stomach fighting to stay put,

And all the typical aches and pains

Of my 56 year old body.

Aftershocks

Every action

Causes a reaction.

Angry red welts

Creating a scarlet necklace

Around my aching throat.

Will a spoonful of sugar help?

Benadryl will.

Thanks

Wrapped in a blanket of love.

So many prayers and wishes

Woven into the wool.

Hugging you close around me

I feel warm and comforted.

The woolly feeling

Of "chemo brain" fades away.