Breakfast in the Park with Zelda

To live in this world 

you must be able

to do three things:

to love what is mortal;

to hold it

against your bones knowing

your own life depends on it;

and, when the time comes to let it go,

to let it go.

~ Mary Oliver, from In Blackwater Woods.

We visited a local park, with wildflowers and poetry in our hands and hearts. It was quiet - only bird songs and our recitations for the day broke the silent peace there. 

We carried a couple of flat rocks - for memory. One the perfect skipping stone. One, from Ireland, fit perfectly in a palm. 

A butterfly, a Grey Hairstreak, stopped briefly at the wildflowers. 

We ate our breakfast tacos (and I drank my coffee) and then we headed home to get on with the day.

Gaillardia

Zelda ready for her "second" breakfast.

At the rising sun and at its going down; 

We remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; 

We remember them.

At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; 

We remember them.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; 

We remember them.

At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; 

We remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends; 

We remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live, 

for they are now a part of us as we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; 

We remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart; 

We remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make; 

We remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share; 

We remember them.

When we have achievements that are based on theirs; 

We remember them.

For as long as we live, they too will live, 

for they are now a part of us as, we remember them.

~ Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer, We Remember Them