Snow Angels

FOR THE LOVE OF WINTER

a flash of red,

a shiny sled goes by

two brothers tumble off

with runny noses

and snow-covered hats, laughing

they jump to their feet

and race back up the hill

to take another run

(what fun!)

another streak of red, a flash of blue

(so cute, with rosy cheeks)

then shrieks—of delight—

impromptu snowball fight!

(and that's my cue...)

i sneak inside the house,

it won't be long

before they tramp inside with frozen toes

and shed their clothes:

four soggy mittens,

and two pairs of boots,

and snowpants, and jackets, and hats, and scarves,

in one great puddle

on the kitchen floor

i greet them at the door

with two big hugs

and two hot mugs

of cocoa to warm their cores

momma, ben put snow down my back,

says russ, with a chocolaty pout;

from ben, a devilish grin—

big brothers always win...

their happy chatter fills

the room with warmth,

my heart with joy;

each one is such a special boy

with ruddy faces and tousled hair

they melt my heart,

they light my soul

i wonder
if they know,

my angels

in the snow

Note: The typographic cloud graphic above (my "snow cloud," if you will) was created with a wonderful (but addictive) program called Wordle. The poem, by yours truly, harkens back to a snowy day—a very long time ago...

My Kind of Humor

(TYPE TEE HEE!  :)

"Haikus are easy

But sometimes they don't make sense
Refrigerator"

Get your type tee here!

It's Been a While...

RESURFACING
It looks as though I kinda fell off the face of the earth some time in late August.

That sounds about right, time-wise, given the fact that, in early September, my cardiologist started talking to me about open-heart surgery (a septal myectomy, to be exact) as the next step in trying to get a handle on the severe symptoms—shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and lack of stamina—I'd been experiencing for the past couple of years. Seems as if my heart condition (a genetic one, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM) was getting worse and worse, and seriously affecting my quality of life.

Well, long story short, after a roller-coaster of an emotional ride trying to figure out what I should—HAD!—to do, I underwent surgery in early November, and am now recuperating—slowly but surely. I hope to post more on my experience in the weeks ahead. Until then, please know that it's good to be back (to be alive!) and I'm looking forward to all the possibilities the future might hold.

Here's to a healthy and happy 2010!