Soft Words

Kris Szlauko

Soft words are quietly spoken to a baby as we anticipate their life’s journey.

Soft words command attention without drama.

Soft words are soft on volume but thundering on intent.

Soft words calm the screaming masses and help them seek a righteous purpose.

Soft words build bridges of integrity and trust over caverns of selfish discontent.

Soft words encourage closeness of value as well as stature.

Soft words penetrate doors that are closed out of strife and fear.

Soft words are whispered as someone’s life and final accomplishments are remembered.

Soft words may well be the healing, human, contribution to the earth’s survival.

Soft words balance on the wings of angels as they say,

“I am here. My eyes, my ears and my soul are here to listen, understand and communicate.

Let us take a breath, open our hearts, and talk.”

The Open Flower

Lani Matsu

A flower opens, lifts her lovely face

Gazes trustingly at the sun.

She has budded and bloomed and spread her seeds

And blossomed to maturity.

Her stem is straight, her leaves are strong

Her petals ripe and fresh.

When her term is up, her promise fulfilled

She will close her eyes to the sun.

Her head will then bow, her leaves turn brown

And her petals will wither and fall.

This is nature’s course for every flower.

When it’s time to return to earth.

A malignant storm has assaulted our flower

Blocking her view of the sun.

Her term’s not up; and she tries to endure.

Yet so crushed and battered by the deadly disease

She yearns to return to the comfort of earth,

Long before it is time.

A Mother’s Love

Lee Murray

Casey Mullin, a single woman with three sons, felt that despite their crowded house, there was room for a dog and thus begins the story of Chuck, the golden retriever who came to be known as unlucky Chucky.

It just seemed from an early age that little Chucky was destined for a difficult life no matter how hard Casey worked to protect him.

Even as a puppy, he loved to rough house with the three boys and as the smallest of the active brood often paid the price. He suffered occasional swollen limbs from someone falling on him, cuts above the eyes, a sore noggin courtesy of a wayward baseball.

Beyond the shenanigans of his brothers, little Chucky was a clumsy fellow who couldn’t seem to get out of his own way. Chasing after balls in the house and then running into doors full speed despite the admonitions of Casey happened frequently as were falls from high places.

Casey was always there to rein in her energetic sons and nurse Chucky’s injuries, offering comfort with her caress and soothing voice. The two became closer than ever when the other boys left for college and the service.

With only she and her pet in the house, the two became inseparable. Car rides, walks, vacations, visits with relatives, outdoor restaurants, you name it.

Chucky would always remind his Mom that he needed her when she was busy sewing or reading by putting his furry head in her lap letting Casey know it was time for a little love and wanting to be petted.

Even as an adult, the golden boy never seemed to outgrow his clumsiness. Often times he outran his legs chasing after a toy or greeting someone at the door and would find himself skidding across the floor. One time while chasing a bird in the back yard, he stepped into a hole and tore his ACL, necessitating one more trip to the vet office for a very expensive surgery. That little stunt caused Casey to drain her vacation fund for that year.

Lonely as she was with her boys away, she was always comforted by little Chucky who stayed by her side all day long. He followed her everywhere, especially since he knew his Mom was a soft touch and would always share whatever she was having for lunch or dinner.

As he got older, he started showing ‘sugar mouth,’ grayness around the snout. It saddened Casey to know that the day would come when she’d have to say goodbye to her beloved pet.

It happened sooner rather than later. One day he lost interest in food, refusing to eat any treats that he normally devoured like biscuits or cheese and then one day out of the blue, he collapsed.

Despairing, she called the vet and after examination, he told teary-eyed Casey that her dog had inoperable cancer and was at the end of his life.

She made an appointment for later in the week when her golden one would be put to sleep. In the meantime, the two spent the next few days in the park where Chucky loved to sniff the flowers and socialize with the other pets who came by.

Dreading the visit to the vet, she cried herself to sleep the night before but tried to put a game face on for her cherished pet. Just before the doctor administered the lethal dose, she told little Chucky how much she loved him and whispered in his ear, “I’ll see you again at Rainbow Bridge.”