I am writing this on the morning of the 22nd after spending yesterday in bed - running a fever, body aches and just general miserableness all around. The day had started out okay - just bit off - but by midday I was down for the count.

Today I awoke with no fever and fewer aches. The birds are chirping and I am watching the Robins gather bits of straw and cotton for their nests. It is a new day full of so much life.

At the end of Lauds today, our leader for the day offered these words in our closing prayer, “Loving God, we are grateful for a new day” and I felt my whole body, soul and mind rejoice - yes, today I am grateful for this new day.

Over the weekend we made our way up from the hot muggy weather of Texas and into the prairies of Nebraska. There is a cool breeze this morning, we have all the windows of Betty open, and the air conditioning is off. It is going to heat up into the 90’s today but this morning is all gift. And I know that the evening will cool off and we will again throw open the shutters and let the breeze carry us off to sleep.

On Sunday we sat on the edge of a vast prairie in Kansas and I sketched out a little poem. It feels like it wants to live in this post today. After all - it too celebrated the gratitude of a new day. At first I thought it might be a little too sentimental - corny even. But after tossing and turning in the covers all day yesterday I think not. We have been through a rough patch these past few weeks and I even though I know somewhere in my soul that all good journeys start out with some bumps and missteps it just feels so good to be alive today - bumps and all. And so I am celebrating. And my poem is too.

Kansas Summer Morning

 Soft breeze
Tall grass bending
dancing along
birdsong buried in
the wildflowers
A tender blue sky
no clouds
Somewhere a frog
a snake – I am not
sure
I awaken from
a long sleep
Newness surrounds
The loss feels
less present
Alive is the word -
all around me is
alive
Weeds dancing
Birds singing
Grass swaying
Refreshed I greet
the day-
My only prayer the
silence - and a long
deep sigh after
a time of drought.

-Noelle Rollins 6/20/21