Solid

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Laurel Archer

Strong Shoulder of Rock, never worn down, even after ages of frenzied waves conjured by life and its forces: wind, swell, tectonic shifts, a hundred million, million creatures, the havoc they wreak â€... Read More

Best Case

Posted on October 28, 2018October 28, 2018 by Laurel Archer

We went on a holiday last week. This one week, away from our children, has become a welcome rhythm for the last 10 or so years.  Nothing has ever happened while we’ve been gone and I’m gl... Read More

Your birthday

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Laurel Archer

Today would have been my Mom’s 92nd birthday.  She lived all of her almost 92 years and today I can’t help but spend some time thinking about her, missing her. Birthday Gift I’ll take ... Read More

September New Year

Posted on September 1, 2018September 1, 2018 by Laurel Archer

While January is the beginning of the year, September always feels so much more like the real beginning — maybe it’s just that we need to get through all the new things to have time to cel... Read More

Walks Resumed

Posted on August 13, 2018August 13, 2018 by Laurel Archer

It is with great joy that I can say I have resumed my morning walks.  Over the past months my personal rhythms have been disrupted.  While that’s ok for a time, when the rhythms are life givin... Read More

Beautiful

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Laurel Archer

I have participated in a summer reading group with a wonderful group of women for quite a few years now.  This year we are working through poems of Mary Oliver and the conversation is satisfying, hel... Read More

Listen

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Laurel Archer

It will not be surprising that some poetry has risen out of the death of my Mom.  Death touches each of us.  We loose people we love – the finality is sharp. We are awakened to the fragility o... Read More

Benediction

Posted on June 1, 2018December 26, 2018 by Laurel Archer

Benediction All my life she told me stories, not tales, but histories. I only half listened, as her words wound around like scissors cutting out paper dolls. Then she’d clothe them in honour introdu... Read More

Gathering Night

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Laurel Archer

This morning I travel to see my mom again.  I’ve made this trip many times, but this time may be the last time.  She suffered a severe stroke a few days ago and isn’t recovering.  IR... Read More

Letting go

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Laurel Archer

A couple of weeks ago I came upon my son out with his support worker in community.  I heard his name spoken by someone and I lifted my head to see him happy, responding to being recognized and welcom... Read More