I play with words the way a potter plays with clay. I roll them over and around in my mind and then my mouth. I repeat them to see how they feel and to see how they sound.

How do those words fit into the world? I look at how they apply to my life… If they apply at all… A word can stay with me for an hour, a day or a week. They make good companions!

Today’s word is “cadence”….

The cadence of traffic in our neighborhood ebbs and flows throughout the day. I like the way it changes from busy mornings to quiet Sundays. I wonder if anyone else feels that regular movement

What is the cadence or rhythm of my life? Is it a positive cadence or should I be tweaking it… A lot or a little? And then I remember that the cadence of my life is absolutely intertwined with that of my husband, as his is with mine.

And I see again and again how the cadence of our lives has changed and shifted… Not so much by choice… More by design.

We have both experienced significant physical challenges… None of them pleasant or easy. They have caused us to slow down. They have insisted that we move about more slowly and mindfully than we would ever have chosen.

The cadence of our lives has shifted from busy-ness to mindfulness… From social activity to occasional and cherished interactions….

When he’s not feeling well, the cadence of my day is off and uncomfortable. When I was in the hospital last year, his days felt upside down.

We’ve gone from two separate yet connected lives to two very intertwoven lives. And we appreciate our shared cadence every single day.

I’m glad you’re here 💜