Inspiring Moment: Red Tree

Written by Braiden

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More Thoughts on “My” Glacier

Written by Braiden on January 30, 2012

Glacier

Last week, one of our Featured Stories centered upon my experience with the Marjorie Glacier in Alaska. I noted that as much as I enjoyed watching the giant glacier calve, it also meant that (sadly) she was dying.

Today, on a happier note, I’d like to share with you another way in which I enjoy spending a stolen moment or three with “my” glacier.

Any time (and there are many!) I feel unhappy or stressed out, I visualize Marjorie–her quiet strength and sheer majesty–and feel suddenly transported.

Do you have a glacier, sunset, sunrise, or mountain top you can visualize in times of trouble? I hope so, as I think that everybody needs such a place of solitude and comfort.

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Inspiring Moment: Lacy Yellow Flowers

Written by Braiden

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“My” Glacier

Written by Braiden on January 26, 2012

Alaska Glacier

In 2009, Spencer and I took our very first-ever trip to Alaska on a seven-day Holland America Line cruise. Spencer and I always joked that we were about the only people we knew (particularly since we live in the Northwest and enjoy such proximity to the 49th state) who hadn’t ever made the mythic journey.

Alaska more than lived up to its reputation for gorgeous vistas, quirky people, and outstanding seafood.

But it was cruising in and out of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, that really made the trip for both Spencer and me, and in particular our visit to the Marjorie Glacier, the park’s “star” glacier, pictured above.

Marjorie was in full calving mode (meaning huge blocks of ice were cracking and falling off into the water beneath) the week of our cruise, mainly due to the unseasonably hot weather we encountered. . .close to 90 degrees! During our port calls, we almost melted since (understandably) most shops and restaurants in Alaska have no air-conditioning.

Anyway, standing at the bow of the big cruise ship, while several thousand of our fellow passengers watched in awe and total silence, we were lucky enough to witness Marjorie calve several times during our two hours of viewing pleasure.

Alaska Glacier

As much as we loved watching this true phenomenon of nature, it was a bittersweet experience because while she was calving, it meant the glacier was dying.

Do you realize that each of us dies a little bit each day as we move toward the inevitable end of our lives?

Knowing that, do you pack as much pleasure and happiness into each day as you possibly can?

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Inspiring Moment: Three Angels

Written by Braiden

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Inspiring Moment: Head

Written by Braiden

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Inspiring Poem: Jump Rope Rhyme

Written by on January 23, 2012

JUMP ROPE RHYME

By Tom Hansen

Tat tvam asi:

thou art that –

that leaf, that tree,

that cow, that cat,

that cloud, that sky,

that moon, that sun,

that you, that I –

for all are one.

So here you are

and there you go

and who you were

you hardly know.

 

I think this I

is only me:

a drip, a drop,

but not the sea.

Yet when I wake

from all these dreams,

 

then, like the snake,

I’ll shed what seems:

this mask, this skin,

this ball and chain.

I will begin

to fall like rain.

 

Our heart’s last home:

the wind-whipped foam,

the sweet, deep sea.

Tat tvam asi.

 

 

Inspiring Moment: Lone Cypress

Written by Braiden Rex-Johnson

I Would Just Sit With You

Written by Keith O'Brien on January 19, 2012

Mary Lou O'Brien

I think I would just sit with you, Mom, not needing to do anything or be anywhere.

I think I would, at least for one of my five minutes, just hold your hands and stare into your eyes.

So I would make absolutely certain that I would remember that look only you could give me…forever.

If I had just five more minutes…

I would take the next one to thank you for everything,

For all the times you made my lunch, my dinner, my bed, and my day.

For encouraging me when I needed it, for scolding me when I deserved it.

If I had just five more minutes…

I would take the next one to say I am sorry.

For putting you through hell when I was a teenager.

For all the nights I kept you worrying, praying, and hoping that I was safe.

If I had just five more minutes…

I would take the next one to tell you all about your grandchildren.

These are three young souls that you would have really loved.

And even though you never met, they will forever know you because they know us.

If I had just five more minutes…

I would take my last one to let you know that Dad is okay.

It wasn’t easy for him but he has come through as you knew he would.

With a smile on his face, a glass of wine in his hand, and love in his heart.

My time is up but I know I can find you whenever I choose.

You are right there when I need you.

I can feel you always.

There is rarely a day that I don’t think of you, miss you, or want to tell you something.

When something cool happens, I still pick up the phone to call you.

What I wouldn’t give for just five more minutes.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

I love you.

Note: I found this beautifully written tribute on Keith O’Brien’s Web site, and he most graciously allowed me to repost it on Five More Minutes With.

Here are other ways to contact Keith. . .who told me in subsequent e-mail correspondence that, “I’ve been buying and writing out Mother’s Day cards every year since she died, and this year I just decided to make it more public.”

Lucky for us!

http://authentic-networker.com

http://facebook.com/keithbobrien

http://twitter.com/keithbobrien

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Inspiring Moment: Ruins

Written by Braiden

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