Still

A heart on my sleeve, tears on my face.
Not wanting to waste my pain.
Endless days of trying, hoping, waiting,
And yet I'm here. Still here.

Why do I wait so long to let go?
Life is moving but it's slow.
Gone in circles, carousels, coasters rolling,
And I'm still at the start.

Broken and tested, bruised and tired.
They say pain brings strength.
Where is mine? Bitterness, battles
Seeing my sin still.

I open my mouth, burdens are moved.
Why didn't I speak sooner?
Little loads feel lifted, lighter.
Still a small cloud of shame.

Sorrowful soul, seeking to be set free
I want for many things.
Savior, take and turn them, touch me
I need to be still.

Lifelong To-Do List

My brother and sister-in-law are preparing to move to California. As part of the packing process, they are getting rid of a lot of items. Last weekend I acquired Kellie's collection of Real Simple magazines. Yay! They always have a section called "Your Words" where readers write in to answer a question posed in a previous issue.

The one I was reading asked for 3 things from the readers' lifelong to-do list. It got me thinking, and it's tough to narrow it down to 3 but here's mine:

1) Pen a book (non-fiction or fiction)
2) Learn to play the violin
3) Attend a film festival (perhaps Telluride or Sundance)

You'll have to check back with me in about 40 years to see if I've accomplished them. Hopefully it won't take me that long...