Prayer for Aging

My Mother, My Self

My Mother, My Self Nobody loves you like your mother.Fussing with your hat, doling out superfluous advice:"Stand up straight!" "Look both ways!"Putting up with our selective amnesiaas we forget to bring home our report card—again.I want to know her back story,what she gave up for me.

Fussing Over the Folks

Fussing Over the Folks Help me to not worrywhen the phone rings and ringsand my messages go unanswered.Let me take a deep breathand picture them;not in a ditch,but where they usually are these days—touring a winery,hiking a woodland path,or on yet another trip. The life they are living today...

Wisdom of Our Elders

Wisdom of Our Elders Bless the Nanas of the world,the Pop-Pops, the Gramps,who show us how to knit, how to fish,how to find a good moodeven when their sciatica kicks in. Secretly holding the world together,they don't competewith whoever the Joneses might be,and teach that kindnessis love on a slow...

Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage They say that growing old is compulsory, and growing up is discretionary. Each individual has his own idea of what makes one grow. Each nation and creed has its own method or ceremony of determining when someone has "grown up".

Unending Love

Unending Love Her hands can't thread a needle,reading now, a past pleasure.Walking has become a challenge,forgetting what she had to say.Failing eyesight, hands that tremble,limbs that won't cooperate,memories playing hide and seek.Will You prepare me,this child who has now

Generation to Generation

Generation to Generation By divine selection we are born to our parents.You have allowed me to be a recipientof my parents extraordinary love.You, have weaved the fabric of theircharacter and values into my DNA.You have made them the yardstick by whichI measure myself.

One Hot Mama

One Hot Mama

Healing Hands

Healing Hands Sometimes thankless,always exhausting.Every now and again, there's a moment of respite that is a reminder:This is a job that makes mea hero every day of the week. Being a caregiverwas not my calling.

Knees on the Ground

Knees on the Ground Not a catchy songfrom an idolized show.Just a simple reflectionupon genuflection andhow difficult it's becomewith each passing yearto bend and re-straightenwithout a cringe and a sigh.Sometimes my kneestake it upon themselvesto voice their displeasure;

Namaste

Namaste

The Forgotten

The Forgotten They sitin managed care facilities,life at an ebb.Sometimes forgotten,like books full of photosand lively text that nobody reads.

Friendly Aging

Friendly Aging Walk with me, even when my back aches.Remind me of the gift of my good health.Allow me to return the favor,by sharing my time with those in need.

Drugstore Make-Up

Drugstore Make-Up It was my first time. The very first time I paid to check baggage on an airplane. I can usually get away with a carry-on. This weekend I was travelling to attend a wedding— that meant a fancy dress and lots of other stuff to help me look bee-u-tee-full for all of the festivities. As I was packing, I threw my...

Be Careful

Be Careful As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his cell phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, "Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on Interstate 280. Please be careful!" 

I Am Ageless

I Am Ageless What if there were no mirrorsupon which to reflect?Would I strive harder, laugh louder,believe in myself more?Would I embrace a world filled withendless possibilities? What if birthdays had no numbers,just a celebration of this life?I fear growing older.Will You help me with my struggle?Can You bring forward...

One Hot Mama

One Hot Mama

To Jane Goodall: You’re Not Getting Older, You’re Getting Better

To Jane Goodall: You’re Not Getting Older, You’re Getting Better Jane Goodall said that she had 40 years of success, and a lot of what she...

Lost and Found

Lost and Found I’ve done it again.I’d lose my own head if it wasn’t attached.Please.It seems like such a little thing.But I could use:Your eyes, to see the unseen,Your attentiveness,so as not to repeat the fault,Your forgiveness, for being so carelesswith the many gifts you give me.Help me recover what...

Dance for Menopause

Dance for Menopause By all accounts,it appears bleak.Part of me is taken away;part of me is no more.Yet I do not weep.I laugh,for You have made me a girl again,long-limbed and unconfined,my body made for dancing, swimming, double-handsprings, maybe.

Girlfriends: Drugstore Make-Up and Beauty Truths

  Chief of Pray, Susan Diamond blog-talks with her BFF, Debbie Winton, about make-up, looking and feeling young, and true spiritual beauty. This particular show features the prayer I Am Ageless, by Pray Maker ...

Perspicacity

Perspicacity Please give me visionthat can see the genuine article,hearing that senses lies,and a taste for what is substantive.Please grant me a connectionto what’s pure and right and just.Protect me from the disingenuousand those with a hidden agenda.

Spirit Mechanics

Spirit Mechanics Thank You for the miracle of movement.Thank You for the ease with which I directmy body wherever I want to go.Should I ever lose this capacity,let me not be discouraged,let me not lose hope.Help me to realize,that by Your infinite grace,I can never be truly confined.

The Temple

The Temple Remind me that You live here,that You designed this bodyas a place for us to meet,an instrument to serve You,a vessel through which I exploreand experienceYour diverse creation.Teach me to revere it as You do,to protect and honor it,to forgive it when necessary.Like me, it is...

Another Year, Another Birthday

Another Year, Another Birthday Today I reflect on another year gone by.365 days of living and loving,of rising and falling,of questioning and answering,of sharing and safeguarding,of learning and stretching,of succeeding and stumbling,of laughing and mourning,of giving and...

Leaving a Legacy or Cooking with Grandma

Leaving a Legacy or Cooking with Grandma If you’ve ever seen a five-year old help grandma cook, you’ll know what I mean. Picture the cute little girl or boy, with grandma’s apron tied around the waist, doubled over, and grazing the floor. Norman Rockwell could have painted...

The Standard

The Standard Show me Your standards again,each time I grow fearfulof becoming the spinster aunt. Remind me that I am not lookingfor a warm body to prove my worth;I am looking for a partner. I am looking for someonewho will come with me to find Youin the quietest parts of ourselves. Prepare my heart only for a lovethat places...