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.

One Month Left

Tomorrow marks the start of December. The last month of 2024. Are you ready for it? Are you chomping at the bit for 2024 to be over or do you wish it could last a little bit longer? December is usually a month with a lot going on. Christmas and holiday shopping. Traveling to see family. Rushing to get deadlines done for work. Then, you have the possibility for snow.

Whatever December brings, I hope we’re all able to end the year on a high note. Dreams come true. Good news comes our way. We’re able to be with the ones we love to ring in the new year. Whatever is left in store for us this year, I believe everything will turn out alright.

Hope you’re ready for December, everyone. May you end the year with peace, joy, and love.

I’m Grateful

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Some may spend it with family or friends. Some may be working or maybe you’re spending Thanksgiving alone? Maybe you don’t celebrate it?

Some families have the tradition of going around the table and saying what you’re thankful for. I wanted to do that here and encourage you to think of at least three things you’re thankful for this year.

I’m grateful for family. I can always count on them when I need help. They answer my questions, help me understand, or they’re willing to just stand there as a supporting presence while I freak out over nothing. I’m grateful that I have a family that cares about me and I can care about in return.

I’m grateful for animals. The quirky ones and the stubborn ones. The ones that are being cute without even trying. I love that an animal can make your day. When you earn their trust and it shows. I’m grateful for the ones I’m around are willing to give me a chance.

I’m grateful for stories. The ones that take you on adventures. The ones that share the importance of friendship and how people aren’t meant to be alone. I’m grateful for the imagination and creativity it takes to craft a good story. I love how they may not seem important, but we all have our favorite stories that get us through challenging times. I’m grateful that artists, story writers, and creatives are needed to lift us out of the glum of the day to day.

3 Minute Sprint

Set a timer for three minutes. Put your hands on the keys or grip tightly to your pen. Start writing. Don’t stop until the timer goes off. Don’t think. Just write. Ready? Set. Go.

Okay, what do I write about for three minutes? Well, I see a painting of falling leaves. There’s a comet soaring through space. I just corrected a typo and that killed some time. I see peace on a plane of red. Is is plane? Or plain? You know the large space like the ethereal plane. I think it’s plane. No time to look it up. Sill have over half my time. I see the words “I wish…” and it makes me wonder what to wish for? A dozen spots? To stop writing typos? Maybe a dream come true. It’s usually a dream come true. Then, there’s the canvas of smoke. Black, stained words spill poison like dripping ink upon it. Right in the center, a reminder. That when all the world is dark. You’re still loved. How many times and I going to correct a typo? Ten seconds. What else? Three. Two. And, one.

Done.

That was stressful.

Letter to the Future

Dear Future Me,

I hope you’re doing well. I hope you’re happy and your dreams are coming true. How’s our kitten? Does she still like you? It would be cool someday, years down the road, if you found this in your long list of posts. I like to think you’ll smile. Maybe a tear gets in your eye? Because when you read this, you’ll whisper “don’t worry. It’s better than you think,” like I could somehow hear you. I hope the tears are all worth it and you beat back the doubt. That you’re confident and strong, independent and as creative as ever.

Future me, I hope this takes you back. Back to one hundred thousands words and a letter that brought a twist. I hope you think of that dreamer that we…well, put through the wringer. I hope we figured out his story and got it on the page. All the trials and dangers and adventures he faced. I hope we made it epic and that it matches his end. How that dreamer got back up again.

I hope you’re not afraid to put your heart on the page. That you haven’t grown bitter and you keep getting up again. I hope you have the courage to make our dreams come true. I know it’s a lot to ask from you.

But, you know what? I hope some things don’t change. I hope you still look to the sky for hope in its colors. Find heart shaped clouds and your old friend. I hope you still find the magic in the tiny things like pretending with automatic doors and the way embers dance and sing. I hope you filled out that book of your imagination and we can use it like we’ve always dreamed. There’s so much to dream and so much to wonder. Future me, I hope it’s an adventure.

I think I’ll sign off like our little dreamer. He wrote out of arrogance, but I’ll write out of hope.

Signed, a future author,
Nikki Diekemper

I Can Do

I can build things
I can see things
I’m learning what help can be done

I go with an option
It may not be your first choice
But I go with what I can do

I use what’s around
Make it happen in the now
And I promise you, it’s all true

It may be outlandish
It may not be the easiest
But I try to make it through

Let me do what I have to
Just To get things done
Fix what’s been broken a while

It may not make any sense
But the pretense
Is knowing that I can contribute

I know I can build things
I know I can see things
Just let me prove it to you