I Saw the Moon

The first day of the new year fell to night. It was one like any other. Errands, chores, and daily tasks. The only difference was the change in weight. A new year. It could bring change for the better or change for the worse. It could bring dreams come true or end with the same sour disappointment.

I looked at the new year with hesitance on its first day. As much as I want to hope, be bold, and expect good things to come, the overshadow of doubt hangs as heavy as the falling night. These were thoughts I reflected as I drove home through a busy city. Bright lights of the highway, dealerships, and other businesses hid the stars that shined overhead. The radio was playing encouraging songs, but my heart was guarded. Why should I shift to be hopeful, bold, and bright when long shadows have haunted me for over a month? What’s the justification of a sudden turn around? The choice to be hopeful? What if this new year has nothing to offer?

I don’t know why I looked. I wasn’t changing lanes. I wasn’t anywhere near by exit, but I turned my head to the horizon on the right. Blocky shapes of businesses and tall streetlights blotted out anything that resembled nature. Yet, in that single moment I looked, framed perfectly by a city skyline was an orange sliver hanging in the sky. So low on the horizon and so dim in color, it should’ve gone unnoticed. Such a thin smile in the night overshadowed by darkness.

It was the moon. A waxing crescent. The first phase right after a new moon.

That single look took my breath away. How fitting, I realized, to see a dim, waxing crescent moon the first night of the new year. It’s light is small, now. Overshadowed by the Earth, It’s barely visible in the lights of the city. Yet, darkness doesn’t consume all of it. The next night, its light will be a little bigger. It’ll continue to grow until it’s a full moon, then all would be able to see it.

I believe that’s what I needed to see that night. No matter how you may view the new year, your light may be small now, but that doesn’t mean it can’t grow. You may be overburdened by doubt and anxiety, but nurture your light and the darkness will not be able to extinguish it.

So, for 2025, I want to be like the waxing moon and grow in Light and grow in hope.

New Year Prayer

I pray for hope for the length of 2025.
I pray for second chances and fulfilled dreams.
May every person find love.
May the light shine in the darkness and the darkness never extinguish it.
May those who are broken, find a hug.
May those who are weeping, find peace to dry their tears.
I pray that the weary find rest, then soar on eagle’s wings.
I pray that the heart of a child would be remembered again.
I pray for linked arms to build each other up,
And that negative words would be banished from tongues.
I pray for hope and optimism.
That life would be seen and beauty rediscovered.
I pray that the medicine of laughter would reach the corners of the Earth.
Let all who wander be found.
Let all who dream never give up.
I pray courage and boldness to all people.
I pray for hearts to be warmed again and selfishness be forgotten.
May 2025 be a year for everyone to grow and be loved.

In Jesus name, I pray.
Amen

2024, A Review

Can you believe it’s almost 2025? And yet, January 2024 feels like forever ago. How’s your year? How are you right now? Are you hopeful? Disheartened? Neutral? Numb? Do you look to the new year with expectations or are you looking at it like it’ll lead to disappointment? Maybe you don’t see anything changing, better or worse.

I honestly, can’t really say how I feel about it myself. I guess I see the new year as the same old same old. I want to be hopeful, you know? Hopeful for big changes, but I was hopeful this year and what I hoped for didn’t happen.

But, what did happen? How was this year good and bad for me and for you?

January–Hunkered down from snow with movies and video games. First time nominated for employee of the month.

February–First time getting COVID. Lost several zoo animals. Finished a D&D campaign.

March–Births and arrivals of new zoo animals. First time going to ComicCon. Start a new D&D campaign. Start caring for gorillas.

April–Cheetahs arrive. Animal intros. Solar Eclipse! Finally bought a couch!

May–Visit a zoo I’ve never been to for a hoof trimming class. New cheetahs on exhibit! Zoo animal births. New family dog!

June–Lake week. Zoo animal losses and births. First time ever stung by a wasp…

July–Family member finishes my novel. Realm Makers Writing Conference!

August–Novel rejections. Tire trouble. Cheetah birthdays. Checked off with Gorillas. Zoo animal intros. Zoo animal births and deaths. ADOPTED A KITTEN!!!

September–Trim an animal’s hooves for the first time. Rent goes up…Zelda Echos of Wisdom released!

October–New RenFair. Advancement interview. Novel rejections.

November–Kitten wins a costume contest! Voluntary cheetah/leopard vaccines! A wedding.

December–Tire trouble. Movie nights. Lanterns. Lots of art. Christmas!

Looking back, I would not describe 2024 as a bad year. There was a lot of new experiences and a lot of good things. I’m thankful for 2024.

Don’t Do This

Don’t let hope die
Don’t let the world win
Don’t tell your dreams goodbye
But find a way to begin again

Don’t let negativity get you down
For there is always a brighter future
Don’t follow the beliefs of the crowd
But find a path that’s newer

What you see before you now
May have a special meaning
You can’t see it somehow
But later will have you believing

Maybe this is a step
To get you where you’re going
Something to help you be prepped
So you enter the future knowing

Knowing your stronger
Than you think you are
To help you handle deeper water
And shoot straight past the stars

So, don’t let hope die
Don’t let the world win
Don’t tell your dreams goodbye
But find a way to begin again

What Matters at Christmas

It’s that time of year again
My head’s all a scatter
What gifts should I give?
Would it even matter?

I look here and I look far
Until I find a decent store
Going everywhere in my car
I think I’ve been here before

Want to give a gift that’s special
Something that says “you matter”
Maybe something sentimental?
One that could truly flatter

You want something really cool
A novelty unforeseen
But you play yourself the fool
When your pockets are empty of green

Your wallet doesn’t abide
So the cool item remains on the shelf
Some Christmas Spirit died
As you silently curse your wealth

You settle for the smaller
A back up idea, and hope
No one will judge your dollar
And you’ll be the only one who mopes

But when the day comes
And lights fill the air
Your heart beats like a drum
Because family is there

What matters at Christmas
Isn’t the dollar or what’s spent
But the joy we get to witness
When everyone’s the present

Distracted

A sigh slips from my lips as I plop into my desk chair. The computer is up and ready with the purple screen of a desired webpost. “Alright,” I knead my fingers between my knuckles. “What should I write about this week?” The roughness of my knuckles makes me purse my lips. “My hands are pretty dry. I should put on some lotion.” I swivel the chair, but don’t bother to get up. “I don’t want lotion on the keyboard, though.” With a nod to myself, I decide it can wait until I’m done writing.

A face peeking through the bedroom doorway keep my gaze from going back to the computer. A tortoiseshell kitten with her wide golden eyes stares back at me in a deep hunter’s crouch. When I smile at her, she arches her back and hops forward in the instigation of play. The moment I spring out of my chair, she bolts from the bedroom. I chase her to the TV until she arches again. Her ears pin back to show she’s big and tough. When I turn on my heels, she chases me down the hall with paws swiping at my calves. Back at the bedroom, I turn back on her. She beats me to the front room and hops in the box that’s her base. I kneel on the floor and play with her there. I grab her favorite ball and toss it in the air. She goes after it at once and when it lands in the box, she pounces right in like it swallowed her up. We play for a while until she walks away.

Back at my computer, the screen is a disappointment. “I haven’t started anything,” I let out as a sigh. I check out a few journals, search a writing prompt or two, but nothing causes a spark. Nothing demands the page.

There’s a clatter of boxes, then a race of thudding feet. The kitten pounces on the doorframe, holding on for seconds with her claws. I don’t get a chance to say anything before she’s bounding away. The zoomies took over her. There’s nothing to be done. She circles the front room then disappears under the bed. I don’t even move and she zooms right past. Straight in the bathroom and up on the counter. Jumps to the toilet, but not quite the shower. She comes back into the bedroom and gives me a dead stare. I suppose writing can wait. I still have time before the deadline. My little kitten needs attention. To ignore her would be a crime.

End in Gratitude

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

As the year comes to a close, it’s easy to look back at it and think of all the hardships we endured. Loved ones lost. Trials we went through. We often feel drained and dead stare into the new year with the dull hope that it’ll be better–but we’re not holding our breath because we don’t want to be disappointed.

I was coming down from a rough day when trying to decide what to write for this post. I didn’t want to be at my workplace, I ungracefully endured an hour of rush hour traffic, and some friends of mine and I are in conflict. It’s easy when all the tension piles up to think back to that famous song of how it “hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.”

Then I came across this prompt. What positive events occurred this year? It made me wonder. Why is it so easy to come up with bad things? How come we can look back at the year and think “oh, it sucked because A, B, and C happened?” Well, what about the good like this prompt suggests? What good things was I able to do this year? I dared myself to come up with at least three. Three things that I’m grateful for happening this year.

  1. I became a cheetah trainer.
    My zoo welcomed several new cheetahs and I was able to become the primary trainer to one of them. I taught him his name, how to target, lay down, and line up to voluntarily receive a vaccine. I got to meet an amazing cheetah keeper on a trip to a different zoo and we stay in contact about the successes, research, and observations we come across.
  2. I got my first two full manuscript requests for my novel this year.
    After so many rejections, I was able to successfully pitch my novel to several publishers in person, and two were interested in reading the entire thing! They could still turn me down, but at least I know I’m capable of getting a full request.
  3. I got a kitten.
    What a bundle of energy to brighten my day and cuddle with at night. I was so nervous about taking on the responsibility of a raising a kitten, but when I saw her, I knew she was mine. I’m excited for our first Christmas together.

What about you? Can you think of at least three positive events that occurred this year? Three things to hold onto to help you end the year in gratitude?

Children’s Book Ideas

It’s the holidays! The time of year where we grant gifts to our loved ones. Some of us have a hard time deciding what to get and I’d like to offer something you can’t go wrong with: books!

No matter the age, a good book is the gift of adventure, knowledge, and new perspective. Recently, I needed help finding a good book to gift my niece. My preferred genre is YA to Adult fantasy, sci-fi, and fiction. She’s a little young for those books. So, I called on my writer friends and here’s some of the children’s books they recommended. Maybe you’ll find one in this list you could gift away?

  • Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
  • Hannah Hattington Goes on an Adventure by Gracie York (Comes out December 25th)
  • How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
  • Thaddeus Whiskers by H.L. Burke
  • Tea for Dragons by Kandi J. Wyatt
  • Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
  • The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
  • Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
  • Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
  • The Cat Who Wore a Pot on her Head by Ann Seidler and Jan Slepian
  • My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

Winter Wedding

A cool silver morning, hearts are up with the sun. The venue is prepared. Silk drapes and tablecloths of moonlight. Olive and gold run down the tables as the humble centerpiece waits in anticipation for the night. The soft blessing of snow falls down on the blissful morning, but bustling is on the rise. Everyone is getting ready. Shining hairstyles, steady tuxes, and dresses the color of wine. I arrived just before the ceremony and even then it seemed like the bride couldn’t sit still.

Guests file in the church, a mingling of those who know the bride verses the groom. When the piano starts, everyone takes their seats. They try to be quiet with radiant smiles, but as the bridal party ascends the aisle, giggles and gasps of love reach out for them. Everyone is looking their best and sweet awe encourages toddling flower girls to the alter. They tripped, but family was there to pick them up again.

The music changes and the air is stilled with expectation. Everyone stands. The groom’s already crying and his bride has yet to arrive. When she walks into the room, a few have to wipe their tears. She’s as sparkling as the sun in her dress as white as the falling snow. I stole a glance at the groom and he’s lost all composure. His eyes can’t steal away from his bride and you know his heart is as full as his face is flushed.

A proud father manages to keep himself together as he guides the bride down the aisle. Hugs exchange when he passes his little girl to her groom. Whispers only they can hear swap between them. The father loses a bit of composure, but his smile couldn’t be brighter.

Together, the bride and groom kneel before the alter. A foreglimpse, I think, of how they’ll posture through the highs and the lows of their years.

A couple passages from the Word and it comes to the vows. Neither bride nor groom choke up. You can hear their promise to each other from every part of the church. Golden rings are exchanged by trembling hands, but they dare not let go of each other. The bride can’t stop smiling–and giggling–while the groom looks like he’s holding himself together. The flames of two families unite and rivers roll from every eye when the grandmother blesses the couple.

Several more prayers and the newly weds are announced. Cheers echo through the church as they share a long kiss, a sweet seal of their promise. The bride raises the bouquet and, arm in arm, they walk the aisle and celebrate their love with those who love them.

With a firm foundation, and a dedication to each other that even someone who’s never met the groom could see, they embark on a new adventure. Blessings to these two who found their life partner. May they cherish each other and not lose sight of this love throughout their days.

Congratulations, cousin.