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Dragonflies

  While on my daily neighborhood walk, I looked down and saw a flurry of unusual shadows flitting around on the sidewalk. Looking up, there were several dragonflies moving around in circles. “I never see dragonflies around here”, I thought. 
  Immediately, I was transported back in time to my childhood home. I remember standing in the side yard  next to my neighbor’s fence, watching a stream of dragonflies, with their translucent wings and bodies, hovering above me. 
  “Why were they there?” I wondered. Peeking over the fence, I saw that the backyard pool was green and slimy. Algae had collected all along the pool’s edges.
 “Mommy, Mommy!” I called. “Why does Ruth’s pool look all green and dirty?” Mom looked at me with concern in her eyes. “Ruth has been busy. It’s been hard for her to keep up with things.” she replied.

                        dragonfly wanders 
                  lost in a maze and confused
                       needs the narrow path

  A few days later, mom baked some oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, her specialty. “I made an extra batch. Let’s bring some over to Ruth.” she said. As we approached Ruth’s front door, I noticed her overgrown yard and chipped paint on the siding. We knocked and waited a minute or so. Ruth cracked the door open, but did not invite us in. Curious, I was still able to notice the newspapers stacked high in her living room. 
  Mommy didn’t flinch and smiled warmly at Ruth. “We thought you’d enjoy some cookies, Ruth. I made an extra batch.” “Thank you, Pat.” Ruth quietly answered. 
“Can you come over for coffee this Thursday? I’d love to visit with you!” mom kindly added. “I think I can.” Ruth replied with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes. 
“Wonderful!” mom enthused. 
As we walked back home, mom seemed happy and satisfied. I was happy, too! 

                       sweet love of God 
                 feeding on hope from heaven
                       nectar of kindness 


Copyright © Laura Leiser

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Book: Reflection on the Important Things