She shares her special day
with the Earth -
April 22nd.
Fittingly, her totem, a mama bear,
known for the fierceness
of her love.
So powerful. So protective.
Look closer,
a gentle compassion woven in.
Strength made stronger
through humility,
the authentic kind.
Always paying attention
to how she can take care of others.
Never seeking the credit.
She walks carefully on this Earth,
and still she leaves marks of her existence,
footprints barely visible
unless you are careful to look.
See those trees over there?
She planted those with her father.
There, that stream?
The focus of her current work.
That milkweed plant
growing tall in the middle of her yard?
Oh, for the butterflies,
yes of course.
See her sitting in the chair
with two grown girls
piled on her lap?
So very confident they are loved.
I hear her in harmony,
in laughter,
in words which are chosen carefully.
(She doesn't like to use her claws.)
Offering an arm to her mom,
who is always teaching us
the love of family.
She never thinks she
does enough.
But to those who know her,
she has made all the difference.
Happy Earth Day, sister-friend.
I am so glad you were born.
