Today my thoughts turned to the past,

to a time when

I was often

scolded by my

mother for infractions both large

and small.  Grandpop

would invite me

to sit beside

him on the stoop, and tucking me

beneath his arm,

he’d say, as we

peered together

at the ground, ” Let’s just look at this,

Joanie.” Beyond

feeling accepted

and held, I have

no memory. I know only

that I felt safe

enough to look.

Now, years later,

I realize it’s no accident

that I came to

name this first blog

“A Holding Place”.

                                                         JDG