December 2020 – Rivers Renewed

Winter Vision Quest

It was winter when he left the reservation. No one sought a vision in the winter, but he did, he needed to. Maybe vision wasn’t the right word, but he was searching for cleansing……some type of hope, anything really. Despair and vodka had taken their toll. It was good to be in the mountains again, even with the snow. And he smiled noticing how slow his mule was.

He had everything he needed, the mule, a good rifle, his bow (that he had made years ago from the finest oak), and a small lodge with blankets. He knew he was also carrying grief for his people, the poverty and sickness slowly killing them…. yes a vision is what they all needed.

Days later, with a fire going….. the vision came in the smoke and flames. He saw his people being reborn. It was spring and everything was blooming. The people were strong and happy…. not sick at all.

He knew he must take this vision back to his people, to encourage each one. The end of all things…. was not quite not yet.

They would all live again.

Note: This was not written initially about the virus, but I think it applies today.

Texting Heaven

I just received a text from Henry Vu, the Vietnamese angel I have mentioned before and he is tied up right now, someplace in Europe. He is hoping to drop by when he is finished his assignment, something about helping doctors and nurses….

and he’s working on getting permission from the Angel Command Center. You know how bureaucrats are. I digress….

He’s a cool guy with some amazing stories, so I hope he can make it.

There was the time he helped a Jewish family overcome the fear of Neo Nazis in the United States. And there was the time the Martinez family had a child in ICU…..anyway you get the idea.

Henry sent the photo above, and says it was taken in Brussels.

Peace out.

After the Fall

Well I’m able to take less Tylenol now. I wasn’t able to sit long at my blogging table though. My knees are killing me, and my ankle, the one that was caught in a hole and sent me sprawling, is definitely sprained and hurts like heck.

I’m able to hobble with a walking stick. Other parts hurt too, but the biggest issue is my writing arm. Definitely sprained in the wrist, hand, thumb region. Lots of pain, and I’m wearing a brace. So no I’m not fine, but somewhat better.

And no I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m a writer, so I write.

Fortunately I still have a poem which is taking shape. If you leave messages for me (I love messages by the way) I’ll leave a short response when I’m able, like:

Thanks peace!

The Christmas Hawk

She loved the way the cold air filled her feathers on Christmas Day. First through the blue skies,

then turning, banking and spinning around… twirling straight into a snow squall,

the mystical grey, high up on the ridge. There was so much joy this day!

A new day filled with hope, and life never ending, declared, openly.

All about the Anointed One, the star lighting the hearts of humans.

She continued to twirl, banking and praising God with her wings

as the snow came down heavily,

and the wind that never ends…..

and somewhere in that wind beyond the tallest oak trees,

she heard a choir singing…..

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

In the calm silence of Christmas morning,

I awaken

reflecting on all the beautiful gifts

already given,

and as I look out my window,

snowflakes begin to tumble,

so I whisper,

“God…..

you know how I love the snow…..”

Merry Christmas everyone!

From our house to yours, regardless of your faith may you be infused with peace, love and joy,

and carry a great sense of hope in your heart.

Amen.

A True Story

This is not fiction, or even a poem. I fell today and I fell hard while walking in the park. I was on the ground for quite awhile. I’m in a lot of pain, even while typing this with my good arm. I will get to your messages eventually, and will only able to share previous work for a few days.

Thanks for reading.

Peace out.

The Writer’s Winter

Like many other writers, he refused to see winter as an old grey barn,

or a frozen field abandoned,

and in his walks he really did get infused,

his spirit was lifted.

And he used his wings

to write it all down.

Peace on Earth

Peace, love, joy, hope, are all such beautiful parts of our human experience any time of year, but somehow they are especially prominent around Christmastime. Or at least they should be!

And there’s so much light. This is not a religious blog, or even a faith based one and yet, once a year I allow myself some celebrating! I always respect other faiths and people with no faith. That’s who I am as a person.

I’ve mentioned Christmas because I have somewhat of my own tradition here. I share some fiction for a few days. What?? You write fiction too Nico? Yep, I sure do! I love sharing little pieces of light, so I hope you enjoy them this coming week. And I will spread out some poetry throughout. Can you tell I’m having a good time?

Are you curious about some of the fiction? Well there’s Henry Vu, a Vietnamese angel. And there’s Rosa Gonzalez who has a visit from her dead mother. I might also throw in some romance too, such as a story called Popcorn and Tattoos. So hang on!

If you are looking for a more faith based site, I have one you can check out. What??? Yep, it’s true.

http://walkingthroughpsalms.wordpress.com

Peace, and may the vaccine get here soon!

The Christmas Ghost – A Gift for Mama

……Rosa began to see a faint outline where she thought a person sat down, almost like a grey mist. It took shape! The being, whoever it was, turned to look at her. The shape took the form of a woman. Rosa could make out the woman’s hair, which she recognize immediately – and then she saw the woman’s face!

The image said, “Rosa…”, Rosa was shaking now, and said “Mama?” Rosa instinctively reached out for her but, her mother told her no, “Only my spirit is here Rosa”. “Mama I’m so sorry for all the things I said that night!” “I know sweetheart…I did not die because of you though….I needed to tell you that.” “That’s one of the reasons I’m here. I love you more than I know how to say!”

They talked for awhile and Rosa’s mother mostly spoke about forgiveness. Streams of tears flowed from Rosa’s eyes but mostly they were tears of joy. And then her mother changed the topic, mentioning church.

“I only wanted you to experience the peace, joy and hope of this season sweetheart…..” Rosa suddenly had the idea of what she could give her mother for Christmas…..”Mama, thank you and I know what gift to give to both of us!…..I will go church tonight, this very night……it’s Christmas Eve after all!”

It wasn’t long after that, Rosa saw her mother fade away, but she had the biggest smile on her face as she faded. And her last words to Rosa this time were, “and remember to forgive yourself sweetheart….”.

Rosa sat for quite awhile alone, letting everything her Mama said, sink in. So everything did end well.

Rosa wanted to tell you that she did go to church that night, wearing her only dress, and her large overcoat, both she had bought from Goodwill. And no one there called her a whore.

In fact they were quite friendly, especially during the time of offering her the peace. As she continued going there, they also helped to get a better job. The last I heard she was working in the admissions department of the local community college.

She also wishes you peace.

The Christmas Ghost

Rosa heard music again, a choir singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, in the distance. As she sat on the edge of her bed, tears flowing, she looked over at her mother’s picture on her nightstand. She could still hear the words, the arguing, from the last night Rosa saw her alive.

“Mama they will call me a whore!”. She knew it wasn’t true, but she was willing to say anything that night to get her off the track of Rosa going to church. “Rosa, please…it’s Christmas Eve after all.”

It was the night her mother passed away. And the guilt Rosa felt about everything, was crashing in on her now, including the wild parties, and drinking until she was senseless.

Grabbing her head, and laying on the bed, the pain was getting worse. And why were the women at her job so mean to her today? She could not help it that she didn’t know English very well. They were vicious, and all for working at a fast-food restaurant!

She shouted, “I hate Christmas!” into the ceiling, then sat up and went for the pill bottle in her nightstand. She stopped, there was that music again….. “Where was it coming from……?”

She also had a feeling, an unusual sense, that someone else was there in the room now…..but strangely, she wasn’t afraid. And then oddly someone sat on her bed…..or at least it seemed that way, but she didn’t see anyone…..

To be continued….

Note this is fiction.

Month: December 2020