May we help transform

fear into love by 

making a welcoming space

for all voices to be heard –

both those from within

and those from without.

JDG

On this Christmas Eve

a wordless source

gently spreads its silent blessing

and for a brief moment

earth mirrors heaven.

JDG

Start here, I tell myself.

Practice not making a snappy retort

when corrected by a know-it-all man

falsely telling me I’ve broken

a parking space law. 

Just smile and wish him a happy holiday.

In this way I will have taken the first step

in the long journey to sainthood

and , at the same time, I will probably

have succeeded in annoying the devil out of him.

JDG

Knox looks at me as if to say,

“Listen to that song’s words, Mom:

‘Peace on earth, good will to men’

and put that vacuum cleaner away.”

JDG

Two encounters with young men

of a race different from mine –

with one, my tone caused pain.

Later, he spoke of his hurt and anger.

I am grateful he took the time to tell me.

With the other, I was standing

by my car’s raised trunk lid, trying

to lift forty pounds of birdseed

when he hurried over and did it for me.

I am grateful he took the time to help me.

I want to remember to take the time

to treat others with the same openness

and care they each showed me.

JDG

My grandkids say I’ve mastered

the damsel in distress look

 but what they don’t know

is how hard I had to work

to drop the leave me alone,

I can to do it myself look

that I mastered at age two.

JDG