"Thankful in Missouri"

Wind chimes
A fire pit
And a four-year-old
Running around the pool

"For Three-Finger Smiles"

Bright eyes sparkling wide
Joy displayed, full of wonder
Glory—barely contained
Everyone should have one

"For Cursive"

Serif flourishes, beautiful lines
Ink flows and letters roll
A joy to write without stop
Next generation shall not know

"For Adventures Before Dinner"

Captain America, Wolverine waiting
Spider-Dad swings in from work
Powers combined
Planned and executed
Enemies vanquished

"For Electric Blankets"

Plugged in
Warming all night
Curled and cozy
Sleeping just right

"For Something So Simple"

Is it a scope to see quite far?
Or a bugle to sound a charge?
Tunnel where hamsters can hide,
Or a dagger in Christmas sword fights

Is it Princess Mini’s tower?
Or a stick to drum for hours?
Baton in a friendly race,
Or a fun new way to scratch your face

Could even model a knee joint
Really, dear reader, here’s the point:
When kitchen’s towels are done,
The fun has only just now begun

"For Fingerprints"

I cannot see

Sacred glass suddenly marred
Translucent obstacle in vision’s path

Tempted to alarm

Remember the source:
Bouncy, yea, flouncy,
Post cleansing,
Towel wrapped,
Flying smiley greeting

Forensic evidence
One of the begotten
Case closed:
Joy of boy

I can see

"For Cardinals"

Wild garland on Christmas spruce
Flying reminders of new life soon
Red crests through winters long
Down the lane
Leading us in song

"For A Special Moment"

My favorite day
My favorite restaurant
My favorite food
A new favorite book
A favorite person once stood here
And penned my favorite verse
My favorite family joins me
My favorite table

"For Sunsets"

Majesty paints nightly
Masterpiece in motion
The greatest of all the greats
Can’t adequately capture,
For colors shift,
For clouds swirl
Evening brings a new canvas

"For The Gift Of Words"

I sometimes envy the animals,
Experiencing God’s creation—
Such a personal level,
Intertwined with beauty,
Enveloped in purpose without question

Then I remember what they do not have
Expression of experience
Sharing experience
Others of similar capacity,
Intertwined with beauty,
Enveloped in purpose,
Permission to question