Author: K.L. Hale

A woman of faith and flannel~Christ follower, Mom, Grandma, dog-lover, nature nerd, and former educator. I haven’t always lived by the guidelines of “fine print”~but nevertheless, have stretched my muscles well through the climbing out of valleys and ascending and descending the mountaintops (physically, spiritually, and emotionally). Through these journeys life has proven only redeemable with faith. Having had a taste of the R.V. life, I crave simplicity and long for the roads less-traveled (as long as they lead back to what matters most~family).

Going the Distance

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay, Uncategorized41 Comments

How far will you go?

Two weeks ago today I climbed a distance. It wasn’t the 14’er I once tackled and bagged. Yet, these 315 stone steps at a nearby trail always leave me with a feeling of elation. A week later, on another trail, a friend (celebrating her 60th birthday with a 10 mile run) shortened her distance just to take time to chat with me.

We spoke of distances; ones that reflect our country’s varied philosophies and beliefs in addition to the physical distances we each experience with family. Distant memories were a topic as well as distance learning (she’s teaching in a whole new way).

“Social distancing”, “Keep your distance”, “Go the distance”, “At a distance”, “From a distance”, …our lives seem to revolve around distances. Had someone shared 10 years ago that my two sons would be in the Air Force, with so much distance between us, I wouldn’t have believed it. But happily, they made wonderful choices for their lives. And doesn’t “distance make the heart grow fonder?”

In two days I’m going to fly the distance. For the first time since her birth I’m excited to finally meet my granddaughter. To top it off, I’m going to see my other daughter-in-law and grandson on the same trip. Just thinking of the love in Washington and Idaho (and of course, mountains!) provides the distance my mind needed.

Thursday I’ll don my mask and smile behind it as I board the plane. I’ll keep my distance as not to inherit any sickness. While I’m distancing I’ll enjoy every moment with family. During the distancing I’ll distance my thoughts from negativity and give myself space to just be-to live in the moment.

The distance of my home, bumper to bumper (R.V. ;-), is 35 feet. Operating in small space is something to which I’ve adapted; and quite well. Give me too much space and I might get overwhelmed. That is when speaking of homes; not with the space between loved ones. Or the things I love like mountains, rivers, lakes, and trails. Traveling alone in 2018 I covered much distance (8,400 miles in two different months). The distance didn’t faze me.

In the not-so-far-off distance I’ll continue my plans to create more distances. I’ll call it my “distant learning”. As a lifelong learner I have to keep growing. Fear cannot shorten my distance. One does not have to drive miles to follow their dream. It might be as simple as changing your routine, trying something new, mapping a dream, or just blocking that which suffocates your space. But in this one life you have to live my friend what will you do to “go the distance“?

There’s a love that knows no distance. The love of my Heavenly Father is ever-reaching. It’s reaches each 6 ft. and beyond space and floods all voids between. All you have to do is accept it. I’ll never feel any distance from my ultimate authority; the all wise and knowing; the waymaker and miracle worker.

flannelwithfaith

Have faith 💚

A to Z

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay, poetry, Uncategorized61 Comments

“Hey Siri, am I a writer?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you repeat that?”

“Am I a WRI-TER?”

“I really couldn’t say.”

Couldn’t she just reply, “Anyone who writes is a writer!” (I’ll keep asking her; she changes her answers frequently)?

To BE a writer, I must write. For many weeks at the beginning of this year I had a daily prompt. It ended with a change of seasons. Finding a balance in life is not always an easy task; particularly when you have a true desire to do one thing well and often. Writing is listed in my “to do’s” for each week just like an item on a grocery list. And when a surprise gift of time occurs, I immediately feel the urge to write. Each morning, as soon as my prayer ends, the words swirl. It should be as easy as 1,2, and 3…just like A to Z. 

What do you see from A to B? 
Do you feel anything from C to D?
Can E and F stir your soul?
Will G and H make you whole?
I and J might not go well,
Then things might change with K and L.
Should M and N change your heart,
Use O and P and then restart.
You’ll learn again at Q and R,
By S and T, you’ve come so far.
Could U and V still make you grow?
At W and X will you plateau?
By the end who will you be?
Y all that matters is the Z.
Remember what you’ve learned and heard,
Use wisdom when you select your word.
What you live from A to Z
Will one day be your legacy.
 
 
 

Have faith 💚

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