A CHRISTMAS TEAR

 Not everyone is filled with cheer on the holidays. I just wanted to take time to honor that part of the holiday too, the part that touches those tender spots in our hearts. Here is my attempt at expressing that experience. I send hugs to all those who are grieving and lonely this Christmas. 

A CHRISTMAS TEAR

A tear ran down her cheek

Red patches decorated her face

From rubbing and sobbing

These decorations we often avoid

On holidays and anniversaries

Thinking ourselves incapable of moving on

When in fact every tear is a baptizing of our love

And every rub an effort to hug those we can no longer touch

Grief is a part of the holidays too

A time when those we have loved so deeply and so long

Are more clearly missing from the family gathering

The stark reminder catches our breath

We can no longer ignore what the hearts wants

So we let go a tear or two or fifty

Breathe deeply into that place in our lungs

Our voice offering “I miss you so much”

Our soul relieved to speak the truth in love

Honoring the whole holiday

Not just the cakes and candles and music

But the quiet, dark, sweetness of our grief and longing

And in that moment, we are finally able to light the candle

And let the gift of this relationship still hold us

Allowing the sacredness of this moment to be enough

 

December 25, 2022

Jules Bonde

GRACE ENOUGH--Part 2

The earth beneath your feet has been absorbing the light since the day it was created. 

Stop for a moment and soak some of it up...there's enough for all.

Look out the window and gaze at the beauty of the sky and trees.

Lean into the Love around you.

There's enough love, enough light, enough peace, enough joy for all.

These are the gifts that no economy can take away or produce.

These are the gifts that no war can destroy. 

These are your gifts!

~ Jules Bonde, December 20, 2014

THE GIFT OF SOLSTICE

The gift of the winter solstice is darkness, night

We are caught for a moment in a sea of black

That seems to have no end, no boundaries

We can only surrender to the mystery of that which we cannot define

Letting ourselves be wrapped in the soft velvety blanket of night

Allowing the gift of it to warm us

The gift of the winter solstice is fire, light

Even as we relinquish control of the shadow,

We reach for the light, turning toward the small flame burning within with new awareness and delight,

We celebrate the brilliance of love and passion

As if experiencing light for the first time

Allowing the gift to fill us and awaken our hearts.

 

12/21/16 jules (photo by jules also)

GRACE ENOUGH -- Part 1

December 20, 2022

Christmas is almost here, or if you celebrate other holidays, those are here as well!

With Christmas just days away, I offer you all this grace-filled word, "ENOUGH.”

Even if you don't bake everything or have a tree, just being together with a few loved ones will be enough. Even if the tinsel is on the floor and the dust bunnies are sneaking around the corner, it is enough. It's great to get things cleaned up and have a reason to. It's great to bake some favorite things and have a reason to. But sharing love and being together (even if only on Zoom) is the reason, celebrating how a little baby could come to a poor mother and turn the world upside down, celebrating how a tiny drop of love can make a whole garden of flowers grow.

I know we want everything to be just right, that we want to gather to sing and celebrate. I want that too, but I think our desire for that is more important than actually getting there. This year I’m offering my heart to this Christmas being enough for me, even in its smallness and to myself being enough.

I just invite you to allow yourself to be enough and allow the plans you have to unfold, with the occasional mess of internet not working or spilled milk. It won't
be perfect but it might be just enough.

Sending grace and Enough,

Jules 

SOLSTICE: FINDING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

A SOLSTICE WISH FOR YOU

Long, dark nights come. It is true.

There is barely time to catch a ray of sun before the day is over.

Long, dark times come in life too.

There is barely a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

Good news is all but eclipsed by the burdens of life.

Sometimes it seems as if the clouds will never move away.

Even so, the light seems to burn brighter in the darkness

the warmth of love seems more determined than ever

The earth keeps turning, hearts keep beating,

Music keeps humming in my dreams

Then one day it is clear we have crossed that threshold

and we're headed back to lighter days

the darkness goes back to its cave

i pray that on this longest night of the year

you can feel the music that connects you

the hearts that love you

the hope that burns on

and a glimpse of the joy

that will grow from this moment

HAPPY SOLSTICE DEAR FRIENDS!

Love, Jules

~ from December 20, 2019