Does eternity rely on karma Or #judgement passed At the end? Is there reckoning at all For lifetimes spent In good or evil, When all of us fall somewhere In between? Or is it as the atheists claim, We are but a blip in the cosmos, Here and gone, Of no matter at all? #vss365

Caught in a #moonbeam Holding hands and talking Mapping out a future That includes us together Days of shared joys and tears Faced with each other Giving strength and love In equal measure #vss365

I hope you know How dear to me You are now Will always be I say the words But they are just Small puffs of air Less than a gust Of mighty typhoon That I feel And yet I say them Make my appeal To try to make you Understand How much I love you And pray I can #vss365

Strange #phantom reactions I have learned to keep My emotions even My mind calm Most of the time But my body still knows The old triggers My heart races My skin gets hot It's like having a panic attack In which my conscious brain Refuses to participate #vss365

#Fury on my father's part meant a sore backside on mine. And yet, I never felt he was as angry about what I did as he was about having to address it when he walked in the door. My mother wouldn't discipline me but saved it for him. It wasn't good for either of us. #vss365

I have worn this #name For more years Than I haven't It's a part of My identity So, no, I won't change it Just because The one responsible Is no longer Part of the plan For like Tina Turner Before me, I Leave with who I am Intact, unbroken Proudly carrying My name #vss365

Around the next bend in the path, past the azaleas, is the #lion enclosure. There are only two, a mated pair who spend their days lying in the sun. The male can often be seen with belly exposed, feet in the air. The female, with nothing to hunt, looks bored. #vss365

My parents used to bemoan my #dichotomous nature. It's true that I could usually see both sides of an issue and would argue whatever viewpoint was opposite theirs. They thought I just liked to argue, but putting words to ideas helped me decide what I really believed. #vss365

Thunder used to terrify me. My mother would explain that #lightning was the real danger. Thunder was just letting us know that the lightning strike was over. Somehow, knowing there was something else to scare me did not allay my fear. #vss365

My Gramma, too Knew how to take A penny, make it weep She fed 8 people Often more With $15 a week It's all Grandaddy Let her have He could have Spared some more But like the #tactician She was, she went Into that store Emerging with The makings of The meals we adored #vss365

The first #lunar missions made an impression on my father. He made sure we were in front of the television for every important stage. The day Neal Armstrong set foot on the surface, Daddy quit smoking. He figured he could muster up some courage, too. #vss365

Are you the dreaded reaper Come to take my soul from me? - No, you're confused. I did not take. Your soul has wandered free. I am but a #psychopomp Who'll guide your way from here. We'll go together where you're meant To reunite with those held dear. #vss365

Oh, yes, I have a #cat She shreds paper bags Annoys the dog with wrestling holds Sees "no" as a challenge Plays with claws out (permanent scars on my hand) Comes to me when she's sleepy For pets and coos Such a pretty kitty As she closes her eyes And gives me her trust #vss365

When my father's decline could no longer be denied, even by himself, he sold his beloved bass boat to his youngest brother, knowing it would be cared for. In the depths of his heart, though, he still believed he would get better, reclaim that boat, and go #fishing again. #vss365

I have become accustomed To a certain way of life But that may need to change So I avoid a future strife Old age, it ain't for sissies Or those without a plan I'll need to keep upon my toes So that the #wolves I ban From darkening my humble door (With style, if I can) #vss365

The little girl stared at the display as her mother shopped. Intricate carvings, stones smooth as glass, gleaned under bright lights. A nice lady smiled at her. "You like the #jade? It is good luck for you." One day, I'll buy lots of pretty luck, she promised herself. #vss365

Curiosity Prods at me To visit the world Of the #undersea A need to know Also drives My yearning to feel The rush of sky dives Yet I'm still timid And frightened me So I turn to books That let me see The thrills that otherwise Will not be #vss365

What #trickery is this? I used to have a tender heart Cried at commercials For goodness sake Mourned endings that Didn't matter Yet now when faced with Death and separation I shed no tears I look beyond To what will inevitably Be peaceful and better Am I wiser or broken? #vss365

Thinking back Upon that day My #investiture As the other half Of what became An Us The happiness And nervousness But surety That all was right Had I known How it would end Would I still Have gone through The laughter and tears Bless me but I know I would've #vss365

In a tiny room Of #seafoam green I came of age Mostly unseen Just 9 x 10 That little space Where I could pause Try to erase Each little slight Each perceived flaw Reflect on who I was at all I learned my mind Lived out my teens In a tiny room Of seafoam green #vss365

They say when the only tool you have is a #hammer, every problem looks like a nail. But when the problem really is a nail, nothing matches that hammer. We all need options in our toolboxes, literally and metaphorically. Education is key. #vss365

They circled the artisans' #loop in search of something beautiful. It might be a piece of pottery, handmade furniture, textile, or candle. The what was less important than the search. In the end, they came away with peppermint-scented goats milk lotion, a sensory treat. #vss365

When long-distance calls were prohibitively expensive, we communicated by #letters. For the price of a postage stamp, much less than a quarter in my memory, we could pour our hearts out to each other, uninterrupted. Delivery was often the next day. It seemed remarkable. #vss365

I feel the pull again The ocean calling to me #Water and sand Between my toes The salt that sticks To everything Riding waves By body or boat Though I'm prone To seasickness I just can't help myself I hear the roar Of waves and wind And know that I Am home at last #vss365

It would be so easy to #sink back into despair, but this time, I say "No". I let myself be vulnerable in all the wrong ways before. Now, I take a stand, claim my worth, and do what I can with the reality presented to me. #vss365

Memories of youth came to her, days that seemed to last forever. Always, at her low points, there was music. Songs to cry to, songs that offered up a hug, songs that coaxed a grudging smile... there were there for her. She took a deep breath and began to #sing. #vss365

Flying #blind Having to navigate By instinct alone Outdated maps Well-meaning wishes Though appreciated Do not point My way through So I trust In my gut feelings And point myself To my own north star #vss365

She used to group her errands together: #bank, pharmacy, grocery store. It saved time. Now time is the one thing she has in abundance, day to day. Her years continue to grow shorter, however, to culminate in the ultimate mystery. Still, life must be lived. #vss365

Is this going to cost me an #arm and a leg? Nah... two fingers, tops. You know that's just a figure of speech, right? Perhaps in your realm, human. #vss365

Ah... you wish to have your palm read. Give me your #hand, then. I see you are very smart. Of course you are... this line tells me so. Someone said you weren't and you believed it, but that is a lie. You are very smart. The girl aced her spelling tests after that. #vss365

The feel of #sand between my toes The warmth of sunshine on my skin That tell-tale burn upon my nose Will tell them all where I have been Well-salted and well-cooked I'll be Life at a saunter, not to run Just do not stick a fork in me For I'll be days away from done #vss365

Well, you see now, Here's the thing: He just last month Bought me a #ring. It's nothing fancy, No gems or bling, Just sterling silver From traveling. He won't want it. I'm sure of that. Still, should I offer To give it back? #vss365

With #pen in hand, I set my thoughts On fine-milled paper, As I was taught. To journal is A sacred thing. Record the goodness. Write down the stings. Allow the brain To run at speed Of flowing ink. No need for screed Or overly floral Words that bleed #vss365

You see that #man? He has a tale to tell, one of sin and redemption, foolish youth and the wisdom of maturity. He has dodged death more than once and been forgiven more times than he should. Go on... ask him. But don't expect to like what you hear. #vss365

My path to mindfulness After falling apart Combined with carefully-dosed Medication Has led me down A more even path I do not #exalt But nor do I cry Finding commonality In each emotion And knowing that The soul of me Is untouched, safe Ready to ride What life may bring #vss365

She always would #Conduct herself In a manner Befitting a lady, Until she didn't. Knowing when The time was right Was a point Of personal pride. Sliding from Prim to wild And back again Caused whiplash In some friends, Delight in those Who mattered. #vss365

My daughter was such a tiny child. She was playful or serious by turns. As a baby, she would stare in fascination at her own fist. Her preschool self loved stories, whether read to her or made-up. I miss that little #sprite, but I'm proud of who she's become. #vss365

My world is turning Upside-down Right steps become #Illusive A judgment error Made in haste Leads to an end Conclusive And yet I cannot say That I regret The joy effusive That came to me While in the grip Of madness Most intrusive #vss365

Do you remember Carefully setting the vinyl disk Adding the plastic spacer If it was a 45 Letting the turntable #revolve As the needle was placed just so Then listening to magic Filling the room As many times as you liked Or until somebody complained #vss365

Allow me to articulate On things of which I #fascinate. It's hard for me to just walk by When shiny somethings catch my eye. I do not lust for gemstones bold, But silver filigree, or gold, Can part me from my money fast. I'm fortunate they're made to last. #vss365

#Tempest on the open sea Moment made for misery Motion sickness is my lot Medication was forgot Roll and buckle with each wave Lost cause in trying to save My dignity among the others I'll just confine myself to quarters #vss365

In my corporate life, I let every little setback, every perceived slight, #frustrate me. This was aggravated by my daughter's rebellious phase and my own foray into menopause. You could say I was so disillusioned with reality that my mental breakdown was inevitable. #vss365

In this age of direct deposits and wireless transfers, checks have become a rarity. I can't remember the last one I've written or needed to #endorse. Another skill set falls by the wayside, along with manually rewinding cassette tapes and writing in cursive. #vss365

Do you #waver In your convictions Or are they Just that weak? You state with boldness Your opinions As if cast in iron Then just as boldly Contradict them Drifting with the wind If we can't trust you To say what you think How can we believe You'll do what you must? #vss365

Back when I was in 2nd grade, I was taught how to multiply. Unfortunately, being a sickly child near the end of the year, I missed how to #divide. Epiphany came during a standardized test when I realized it was multiplication backwards. I got to stay Above Average. #vss365

His mood is #overcast again Gray clouds swirl round his heart His silver lining's lost again Of joy, he finds no part Depression rears it head again He grasps for normal hours He'll just go back to bed again And hope tomorrow flowers #vss365

Carol and Ross agreed to allow George to #mediate their dispute. After hearing both sides, complete with aspersions cast towards Carol's morality and the marital situation of Ross's parents, George delivered his verdict. They both needed to get over themselves. #vss365

No matter how we would #entreat, my mother would not quit smoking. She refused to believe anything bad about it. That was until I told her that my newborn, her only grandchild, would not be allowed to stay overnight in a house with cigarettes. Incentive, meet Grandma. #vss365

I hear you're going to Chuck's. Planning to #partake? Nah, I gave that stuff up. It's an awful temptation. It's about the people, man. They're friends. But they'll be right in the middle of it. Is this an intervention? ... I swear barbecue will not pass these lips. #vss365

I can't #assure you that it will be painless, but you'll be so much better for it Stronger, smarter, more connected to something greater All you have to do is give up your humanity to begin the transformation Humanity is overrated #vss365 #vsshorror