Inspired by Denise Krebs at “Dare to Care”, I am writing a quick post on my phone at a coffee shop near the beach. Denise’s poem begins with These hands.
These hands
are waving to the pelican above the waves
trying to stay hydrated in this heat
trying to love in a way that is welcomed
wise and whole
These hands have held hard
and gotten softer
with age and lavender lotion.
These hands reach out
for help and receive it in gratitude
knowing that grace is found
when gifts are held
precious in these hands.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, how beautiful! I am so blessed to be the one to begin the inspiration for these gorgeous words. I see thoughts from the comment you left on my post this morning, your sweet first draft. Have a wonderful healing time at the beach with your daughter this week!
As always, your words are lovely and inspiring.
Margaret, I see you are in one of our favorite beachside towns in Florida. I love that you were inspired by Denise’s poem. From Florida to California, “these hands” were busy today!
(I love that you kept SPICE of life!)
These lines say so much with so few words:
“trying to love in a way that is welcomed
wise and whole”
Mary Lee, as you know all too well there is a whole story behind those words.
Oh, this is beautiful, Margaret! I’m especially moved by “grace is found
when gifts are held
precious in these hands.”
And oh that picture! Wow! Soak it all in!!!
How lovely! Among my favorite treasures of this special space is the inspiration borne of the literary acumen of other passionate writers. It constantly fuels new ideas – and I like this one! I may give it a whirl next week.
Your words are so lyrically beautiful. They have a songlike quality that invites the reader in to the wonderful world you’re experiencing, and the photographs are the perfect companions. Thanks for sharing this jewel!
It is brilliant in more ways than one…
Magnificent photos, Margaret, and I love the visual of waving to the pelican. I love the care of aging hands and the whole “trying to love in a way that is welcomed” alongside abiding gratitude. Maybe because of it. Yes. Your words nourish my soul.
Margaret, since we were writing on the topic of grace last week, I found your post prompted by Denise Krebs’ poem on grace. These lines are such a wonderful image: “knowing that grace is found/when gifts are held/precious in these hands.” May you continue to grow with Grace letting healing rays flow through your body right to the spots that need attention. My yoga teacher often tells us to send our breath to the spots in our body that need attention.