Author: Laura Lee Bonde

“For Them to See”

| Laura Lee Bonde

it’s sometimes hard
to read other’s pain
of losing a loved one
at Christmas time

I have moments
of maybe I shouldn’t have joy
like maybe I should
withhold my memories

but life isn’t comparison
of what I have and you don’t
or what you have and I don’t
life is about living and loving well

to be love for those around you
strengthening their being
to change the world
around them

for wherever they step
to remember the times
of laughter
of love
of moments

no one can take
what’s inside
no one can shape
what’s been formed

to love my kids every moment
and be love that they can see
makes a difference
that changes the world

Christmas Dinner

| Laura Lee Bonde

I’m not sure when it started, but somewhere along the line, we started a tradition of having ham on Christmas day, and as Kyle and I were shopping for Thanksgiving, he mentioned our Christmas ham, so I knew what I’d be cooking on Christmas.

Although money’s been tight, I knew we’d have our ham because Scott would be with us, and he always takes me grocery shopping. Well, this time, I asked him if we could have steaks one night because I never have the money to buy them.Of course, he said yes, so I was able to get steaks and many more things from the store.

Our plan was to have the ham on Christmas and the steaks another night, but God had different plans for us. It turned out, we had our ham Christmas afternoon and the steaks Christmas evening.

As I was cooking the baked potatoes, Scott was getting the grill ready, so I snapped a picture of the steaks. I hadn’t remembered the last time we had them and wasn’t sure when we’d have them again, so I wanted to grab a memory.IMG_1141

While we were all sitting down eating, it dawned on me: we’d almost lived here four years and had never eaten steaks in our home. So, our first time of eating home-cooked steaks was on Christmas. What a good memory to make!

We’ve had so many good times the last couple of weeks, even though we’ve taken turns being sick. We’ve laughed over games, watched movies and football together, hugged, exchanged “I love you”‘s, and just enjoyed the moments.

And as usual, we forgot to take pictures, but sometimes, the pictures in the heart are clearer than the pictures on the screen.

(At least, I got a picture of those beautiful steaks!)

 

“Fairy Tales”

| Laura Lee Bonde

there comes a point in time
when love becomes a choice

choosing to listen
instead of ignore
choosing to obey
instead of fall away
choosing to be present
instead of online
choosing to love well
instead of waiting

to be swept off your feet
to be rescued
to be wooed by a feeling

the glass slipper may never fit
but that shouldn’t stop love

there’s a bigger picture
where choosing love
brings definition

“Sigh”

| Laura Lee Bonde

some things
too deep to mention

as a mother
as a woman
as a person

too personal
to touch

every tear
too heavy
every breath
an unspoken prayer

in the cold
they’re seen

as heaven hears
and God responds
there’s hope
the heart will hear

Not Under the Tree

| Laura Lee Bonde

My favorite moment from Christmas Day: Scott and Katie were sitting on the couch, working on her laptop, and Kyle, Carolyn, and Nathan were playing with Nerf guns in the house, laughing, getting along so well, and I was washing dishes, listening to it all, smiling.

🎄❤️😂❤️😂❤️🎄

On Christmas, my home was overflowing with love and laughter, as it usually is.