Behold, some miracles!
SPEECH
© MLB 2004
Skills learned in early childhood become more difficult to acquire later on, says the research. It seems simple to teach preschoolers any language they hear. In fact, they can learn it often without a trace of an accent.
Why is that so?
“This is explained by a process called phoneme contraction. The larynx of a young child assumes a shape needed to make any sounds he or she is learning to use.” These same children will have a harder time attempting to make those same sounds later in life.
Cited in The Word for You Today, February 14, 2024
SOUND
Simon Verity working on façade of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City, Getty Images
The Smithsonian magazine once featured a master stonecutter from England named Simon Verity. He restored thirteenth-century cathedrals in Great Britain. As the authors watched him work, they noticed something fascinating.
“Verity listens closely to hear the song of the stone under his careful blows. A solid strike and all is well, A higher-pitched ping, and it could mean trouble. A chunk of rock could break off. He constantly adjusts the angle of the chisel and the force of the mallet to the pitch, pausing frequently to run his hand over the freshly carved surface.”
Verity understood the importance of his task. He knew one wrong move could be devastating, causing irreparable damage to his work of art. His success was rooted in his ability to hear the signals his stone were sending.
Quoted in The Word for You Today, November 15, 2023
BALANCE
Pixabay image
A Miracle
It’s a miracle how the Bed
nestles us safely
a third of our lives
As the eight-thousand-mile-thick earth
beneath us twirls, pulling
the atmosphere around itself
Like a whirling shawl.
Somehow we wake up
not at all dizzy, slide out,
Feet on the floor, stand upright
and go about our business,
which is in itself
another miracle.
~ Charyl K. Zehfus, quoted in Bedside Prayers, June Cotner, editor
The wind was pulling
the clouds apart into threads
Of milky white wool.
© MLB, June 2024
Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. ~ Psalm 36:5
Last November, multi-talented author Robbie Cheadle inspired me to write a Hay(Na)Ku, a chain of three lines, each on a single theme with the first line composed of one word; the second line, two words, and the third line, three words. I haven’t had the inspiration to compose such a verse until now.
We have four family birthdays in July: my grand-daughter, my son, my mother, and me. What follows is a tribute to my mother who died five days after her 96th birthday ten years ago, my first attempt at the HayNaKu verse form.
Mother frying bacon, July 2014
Do any of these miracles resonate with you?
Another miracle you can recall?
Are there any July birthdays in your family?
Beautiful post, Marian!!!
Thank you for reading, Beverly! 😀
Good morning, Marian! I probably wouldn’t use the word miracle, but nature is wondrous. I like your milky wool clouds. Enjoy all those July birthdays, and the memory of your mother! 💙
Thank you for the observation–and the sympathy, Merril. 😀
Such beautiful memories, Marian……..Thank you.
You’re most welcome, Jack! 😀
I cried yesterday,
Briefly,
Thinking about how July was always our summer fun birthday month
Because it was Mom’s birthday, July 30, and we knew she would ask only to be taken to the lake to celebrate.
Or we would leave on a trip in July.
The best July was when we traveled for six weeks out west in a tiny travel trailer. We saved up money for five years for that trip. And then we hurried home, cutting our travels shorter by about 2 days, skipping the splendor of the Tetons because we were all homesick for our home.
And Mom had the best July she ever had.
I miss her, and Dad.
Our tears are bittersweet when we cry because of a happy childhood and a sad loss. I do understand.
You said “The best July was when we traveled for six weeks out west in a tiny travel trailer.” Your trailer experience was so much more enjoyable than mine in the trailer alone with two babies. How careful your parents were with expenses. They may have even sold the trailer after the trip, its value as a money-saver to save on lodging.
I remember your lovely tribute to your mom on your blog. Precious memories! 😀
Love this Marian.
Thank you, Carolyn! 😀
Marian, the whole post is lovely. Great photos. Lovely info on Simon Verity and his restoring work. Love your HayNaKu. What a beautiful remembrance. 💖
You are right about the miracles! Love the clouds. 💖
As for July birthdays, three friends were born this month. One is my college roommate! 😄😊💖
I appreciate your enthusiastic response, L. Marie. I believe you regard all of nature and humanity as miracles because of our Creator. Yes! Thanks for all of this. 😀
Yes, indeed!! 😊😊😊
Lovely, lovely memories, Marian. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Laurie! 😀
I love this post, Marian! Oh the miracles we take for granted! We spoke German with our eldest until she was two. There were other languages swirling around us as my linguist husband translated scripture in the Kikongo trade language, and we eventually gave up on the German! But she still understands it and uses it when she needs to with some of the seniors she works with. I’m going to attempt a Haiku poem in the form you wrote. Loved, loved, loved the poem by Zehfus!
Blogging has many uses, but finding treasures for our friends is one I haven’t thought about. I find treasures on your blog all the time.
Thank you for telling us about your family’s linguistic ability. Do try some haiku and HayNaKu forms. After you find a topic, it’s not too hard. Hugs! ((( )))
Just realized, that daughter has a birthday in July, like you and some of your family members! She was a big miracle in our lives after the loss of our first born son
I read your memoir, and so I read about the heart-wrenching loss. But then, the daughter who still blesses you to this day!
Five birthdays in July. My maternal Grandma (born 20 July, 1882) was our point of stability at “Home in Finland” when our nomadic missionary family was far away. She died 50 years ago, shortly before her 92nd birthday. Two of my siblings, twins, will be 83 this month. Oldest daughter celebrates her July birthday in Thailand, her land of birth. One granddaughter, living in Sweden, also is born in July.
Even though your family is scattered across the globe, you share a common heritage, and some also a birthday month. I wonder if you are able to visit these relatives: Perhaps they come to you. I see from your blog that you call yourself a “global nomad.” What a rich life! Thanks so much for commenting here, Lisa. 😀
July is a birthday month you and I share, Marian, and one I also share with my daughter. My memories of this month come back suddenly when I am outside and smell cut alfalfa or see tobacco fields or rejoice in a thunderstorm (we need these badly now). I also remember going to the mailbox in my bare feet and being so excited to find My Weekly Reader, a newspaper for kids my parents bought for us. Now I associate July with a reunion of our family in Tulsa at our son’s house — all the grandchildren, children, and us. Sweet, hot, July!
Your summer memories sparked mine of freshly mown grass and tomato fields.
And the Weekly Reader too, which we got at school. For some odd reason I remember an article and photo of Rise Stevens, the opera star, who probably stands out in my mind because of her talent and glamor.
Thank you, Shirley. Here’s to joyful July birthdays and family reunions. Enjoy! 😀
Very sweet memories. I often describe my mom as “the best person I’ve ever known.” How could she not have influenced my life in a thousand ways?
Perhaps it’s our way of dealing with aging, but my wife and I joke, wondering how we could have pulled a muscle in our sleep? Lots of mornings it feels like I drag myself out of bed. After a cup of coffee and a shower, I’m ready to take on the day and feel more revived.
There’s more “fun” ahead, Pete. Aging is not for sissies; these days I’m thankful my brain seems to work okay if not some of my other body parts. Ha!
I’m guessing your mother was able to observe much of your success though I know you miss her. Thanks for this and the comment below, Pete. 😀
Oh, I wanted to ask if the first photo was one of yours. I love the looks on the children’s faces.
Yes, Pete, because the photo was one of mine (grandsons as babies) I wanted to annotate it with a copyright symbol, but doing so slipped through the cracks. Thanks for asking. These children are approaching junior year at university this fall.
Yep, I am a July baby, along with my twin brother. We just turned 71 this week!
Simple words, profound feelings, in your HayNaKu
In the silence between the sounds is the most profound of insights.
Ginger, I’m glad you found pleasure and wisdom in some of these excerpts. It’s good to hear from you again. Thank you! 😀
My father was born in July. Often his birthday celebration would be tacked onto our Fourth of July celebration so while his birth date was later in the month I think of him as having a Fourth of July birthday. No harm in that, I figure.
No harm in that, Ally! Each year I share my birthday with our son who was born on the 26th, two days after my own. I’ve deferred to him most years, but I said, “When I hit another milestone birthday, I want my own celebration! 😀
A lovely post, Marian. Thanks for brightening my morning.
Thanks for letting me know, Linda! 😀
Those two little ones having a tête-à-tête is just priceless! Their faces are so expressive. Your clouds haiku captures the wispy look of the image beautifully. I like your poetic tribute to your mother; we need those memories to sustain us.
As I mentioned to Pete, these two are our grandson, born seven weeks apart. They’re now halfway through college. (I neglected to tag the photo, but now you know.)
Thanks for checking in on your busy day, Liz! 😀
Very inspiring, Marian! Great job!
Thank you for letting me know, John! 😀
Hi Marian, your poem is gorgeous, a wonderful tribute to your mother. 96 is wonderful age to achieve. Thank you for the shout out. It’s very kind of you 🦋🩵
Robbie, I like to promote you and you fine work any chance I get. You inspire me–always! Sometimes I can respond, like here. Prayers are with you as you care for your aunt, honorable work as well! 😀
Good Morning, Marian,
I enjoyed reading your poem. I especially like the story of Simon Verity and his working methods. Listening to the stone talking to him was a great part of his success.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom shalom
Thanks for picking out favorites, Pat; I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I realize now that you are probably getting ready for your evening meal where it’s just mid-morning in the US. 😀
Marian, a beautiful post that covers the wonder of life in all its facets. I was fascinated to learn how toddlers learn to talk and wow, Simon Verity has an incredible skill, listening to the stone! Your haiku is inspired, catching the the beautiful clouds perfectly – don’t you imagine floating away with those threads of wispy clouds?! The loving tribute to your mother is wonderful, fits the form brilliantly and you remind us how the small moments in life are the ones that create that magical whole. Wishing you well, Annika
You are such a thoughtful reader, Annika. Thank you for your comment.
I realize now that “wonders” may have been a more accurate title than “miracles,” but, heck, miracles are wonderful too. Enjoy you day, my friend. 😀
Today would be my parent’s 73 anniversary. I phoned mom this morning to celebrate this special day that we still commemorate. Your insightful post reminded me of the need to embrace miracles – that every day should be seen as a miracle because it offers countless opportunities for growth, joy, and connection. It is so easy to miss these precious moments in the busyness of our daily lives. So a big thank you for a marvelous post and follow-up conversation, Marian.
How wonderful that you can phone your mom to mark her wedding anniversary. Seventy-three is a big number and speaks to your kind regard for your parents’ marriage. Thank you for pausing to read and post an insightful comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the follow-up conversation as well, another benefit of blogging. Enjoy your weekend, Rebecca! 😀
Marian, so many of your thoughts and memories ring true with me right now. It has been since April 18th, the date I was hospitalized with ovarian cancer and many promises of a remission in six months. I can’t walk well on my own yet, but I am getting stronger and find myself looking back a generation or two at the strength in my family members. We recently heard something similar to the book title, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” as the doctor declared my cancer as taking over my life. No remission, no cure, no improvements. A second opinion did deliver a possible second treatment which we’re considering. I’m hearing voices from the past of my family encouraging me to try again, try harder, keep smiling, and so many more positives. Yes, you sent me on a journey of time and place. Love to you and Cliff!
As thrilled as I am to see your name in comments today, I’m saddened to hear of your suffering. Yet I am happy to hear that you are getting stronger, and I hope can walk better soon. I don’t know that you have to force a smile, but I hope you will try a possible second treatment.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post. I’ll give Cliff an update. Love and prayers to you and Bob. 😀
I loved your family Haiku Marian. And yes, I always marveled at how quickly little ones can pick up languages so easily. 🙂 x
Thanks for stopping by, Debby. To your second point: I am not at all motivated to learn another foreign language although I enjoy trying to pick out certain phrases when a movie is in French. 😀
I always loved the languages and did well with a few. I’m now still trying to learn Spanish, and Hebrew. Good times! Lol 🙂
Beautiful poems and memories, Marian. I’m still practicing Spanish every day with DuoLingo – and when in South America in real life as well – but I agree that learning (languages) as a child is easier. I wish Mark and I would have had one. He/she would have been raised bilingual. Or trilingual. 🙂
You and Mark are still at an advantage: Using Spanish with native speakers in South America. Thanks for checking in today. I hope you both are doing well in Massachusetts and Belgium these days. 😀
This is beautiful, Marian. I learned some new things about language and your story about Simon Verity was fascinating. Your memories of your mother resonate with me. My mother passed away in 2019 and today would have been her 99th birthday. My mother is gone but she is always with me.
Like you, I aim to inform and entertain with my blog posts and media.
My condolences on the loss of your mother. If she was anything like you, she has persistence, a sense of humor, and curiosity. Thanks, Barbara! 😀
Miriam. Wow. ALL of these miracles resonate with me. Every moment is such a miracle, and we are not as grateful as we should be. THANK you for this reminder. Such a wonderful post here … and your HayNaKu brought tears. So similar to how I feel about my mom, and how much I miss her. So few words can emote so much. <3
I believe we are riding the same train with wheels that turn with happy thoughts and bittersweet memories. I’m always glad to see you here, Pam! 😀
I love your HayNaKus in memory of your dear mother. We have three birthdays in July. My Grandfather born July 12, 1900, my Uncle on the 13th and my brother on the 15th. We used to have a family picnic at a local lake every summer to celebrate all three birthdays! Great memories.
Oh, Darlene, so you have a cluster of birthdays in July too–wonderful!
Besides separate parties, we celebrated my mother’s birthday at the Metzler family reunion, quite a splash when she turned 80!
What a creative blog from stone listening to poetry to sizzling bacon. I loved it all, Marian. There are no July birthdays in my family, but my NC son was just here for a long visit with his loving partner. My other son served a grilled dinner with my tender salad, and the local peaches and blueberries on vanilla ice cream felt like a birthday celebration. I celebrate my sons and the lives they’re creating–and they’re both great cooks and gardeners. I am grateful.
I feel the embrace from your sons to you as I read your reply. Nothing like family to show us love and care. Obviously great cooking and gardening have been passed on to the next generation. Thanks for such a sweet comment! 😀