Once in a Blue Moon

Blue moonOnce in a blue moon
you find some friends
(or they find you)
Who stand with you
through ups and downs
thick and thin

Who laugh at your jokes
dance in your happiness
drink to life and love

Who sit with you in tragedy
hold you when you are afraid
brush away your tears

Who love you
just the way you are
no matter what

Once in a blue moon
you find some friends
(or they find you)

True blue friends


Photo: August’s Blue Moon over Mount Pilchuck, Washington. By Beth A. Richardson.

Pine Cone Memories

I saw this pine cone on a walk yesterday near the Colorado cabin where I’m vacationing. I’ve been coming to this cabin all my life. Seeing the pine cone reminded me of how much I have always loved sharing this place with others.

When I was here as a child, I liked to write letters to friends telling them all about what I was doing on vacation. But before I mailed the letter, I would walk down to the river and pick out a beautiful little pine cone to include in the envelope. I wanted my friends to hold a part of this beauty. I wrote “Hand Cancel” on the outside of the envelope, addressed and stamped it, and put the little pine cone in the envelope with my letter. I didn’t know until many years later that when the recipient opened my envelope, she found my letter — and — a pile of pine cone dust. It makes me chuckle to remember.

Now I guess I’m attempting to share this place digitally. And, I realize, that while it may not be a pile of pine cone dust that folks receive, it’s still not the same as being here.

I wish for you places of rest and beauty where you see, feel, smell, taste, hear the blessings of God’s creation.