April ‘26

Echoes in a monumental herculean time

It was monumental, herculean.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done?

Possibly.

Definitely on the highlights reel.

How did I manage?

I cannot confirm the how, but I must confess,

these overused words

were spoken sincerely to me

over and over again:

‘I’ve been praying for you.’

‘I’ll keep a good thought.’

‘You’re in my prayers.’

They echoed back between my ears

during those great, enormous days, when I would

calm down uncharacteristically,

rather than lose my mind,

(or the one next to me, struggling, did not lose theirs);

or, when I found willingness

beyond my expiration

to work hard, to let go, to give in, to not budge,

or to simply say so kindly;

or when my actions held compassion

toward easy target strangers, or foe, or

the person who clearly screwed up, and also

my self;

and surreally experienced

a circle of humility, gentleness and awe

holding me,

safe from pride;

I reflect here in hindsight,

and offer these familiar, oft spoken words:

Thank you,

to those who stoked the sacred fire of petition

sending embers etched with my name in them;

and to the flow of Spirit blowing back

into my cells and nerves and impulses

which got me through the

monumental, herculean time.