Lex had a homework assignment where he had to write an image poem.  He had forgotten to do his homework the night before.

Great.

Just the way to start off our day.

We were already late for school but, over breakfast, we sat at the snack bar and looked around for what in the world he could write about. After ruling out writing about Pokemon, Super Mario, and Club Penguin, we decided on an actual object. 

I had a candle burning, as always, and we decided on writing about it (probably for the simple fact we were out of time and it was right in front of us). I wrote down the five sensory words for him, taste, touch, smell, hear, see, but I also put another category: how does it feel in your heart? I figured if writing an image is important it’s best to describe it with all your senses, and better yet, describe how it makes you feel inside.

So he listed the descriptive words or text that came to mind under each category. He did so while scooping his brown sugar and cinnamon oatmeal hurriedly in his mouth. I, being the lovely morning person I am (ha ha), grumpily loaded the dishwasher telling him to hurry up.

A cranky dishwasher soap squeeze later I came back to check on his work ready to hurry him out the door.    He had put together this poem.

Candles  

Flickering in a melted wax pond
The candle burns silently
Glowing brightly
In the shiny glass.

The smooth wax
Vanilla
Like sugary
Buttery pudding
Warming up people’s hearts
Comforting
Home

- Lex Taylor, age 8

In moments unexpected, life will surely take your breath away.  Are you paying attention?

- Susie Switzer

I’m sure you’ve heard the quote, “I’m a lover, not a fighter.” The peaceful person in me would rather love than fight any day, but I know in my heart, the things truly worthy of my love are worth a bit of a fight.

Sometimes, I just wish people would think about taking a more passionate approach to life knowing that nothing good or worthy comes without a lot of effort, perhaps some pain, and a dash of fighting spirit willing that “something that we love” into being.

Why, even having a baby comes with all of that, right?

Why is it that we equate “being a fighter” synonymous with “bad”? It’s not. It’s holy. Those who fought the original crusades and battles winning through immense circumstances were so-called fighters. Those who traveled the wilderness and deserts; some were pioneers, some were prophets. I can think of no higher calling.

When you learn to reach in and fight for what you love, what you hold dear to your heart, you will find courage within the recesses of your soul. If you get knocked down, get right back up. Learn to maybe not so much love the hits so much as know what you’ll get in the end for taking the shots. Nothing worth anything comes to you without a certain amount of blows to the chin. And if you have gotten this far in life pretty easily, imagine what you’ve never known by not fighting a little bit harder, trying a little harder, and taking a few more punches to the gut.

Life is hard won. Love it. Love the process. And fight.

Enjoy this clip.

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

- Burton Hillis

Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas.  May you have all the peace and joy of the season today and throughout the year.Much love,Kelley