"Reflection" by Elizabeth Grimes A million eyes, all looking at me. I’m terrified of what they might see. It matters not how I hide, or where. I can’t escape their watchful stare. I try to move, but feel paralyzed. And I’m pulled apart as I’m scrutinized. Soon it changes, after a breath. Now there’s only one spectator left. I reach my hand to touch the cruel eyes And suddenly realize I’d been seeing lies. It was water I felt. People, none ! The ripples made thousands out of one. Another truth! I see it clearer. A crowd created by a broken mirror. It’s only me, and was all along. I’m the only one who needs to like my song.

Eddie and I like to make a big deal out of each other's birthday's. For example, on my birthday I get to pick what I want to eat, where I want to go, and what I want to do. The other person has to make that wish come true, no questions asked and no complaining. Eddie has sat through karaoke night, eaten sushi, and spent the day at the mall for me. Well, today, we celebrated Eddie's birthday (his real birthday is on Sunday, but he has to work). I asked Eddie, "What do you want to do on your birthday?" The answer was simple. Nothing. I thought maybe he just needed some suggestions: Play a game of racket ball? Go to the park? Go out to eat? Go see a movie? Nothing. He wanted to do nothing. He didn't want to leave the house, or the couch for that matter. And so, in keeping with our birthday tradition, I respected his wish. We spent most of the day watching movies and eating junk food in between naps. At the end of the day I asked Eddie, "Did you have a go...

There are times when I wonder if I'm living in a parallel universe. It's that intense feeling of deja vu when it seems like I'm living a past moment and present one all at once. Like that time on the subway when all five  senses took me back to the moments right before I jumped out of a C-130 in the Army - the way I stood, the jerk of the train, the smell, the cramped discomfort. Or the time I walked through my hallway in the middle of the night and heard Latin music blaring from what seemed like my bathroom. I swore I was dreaming, I even tried to wake myself up until Eddie reassured me I was already awake. Today I had another one of those odd sensations. I sat perfectly still and quiet. I adjusted the muscles of my body, my shoulders, my arms, my abs. I looked straight ahead. I took a deep and deliberate breath. I did this over and over. Each breath drew the same amount of air into my diaphragm. Each exhale relaxed my shoulders to same height. I found myself reciting t...

“Everyone, please take some food home with you! We have too much!”  The director announced after a luncheon and music rehearsal. I grabbed my coat and purse and headed out the door when she stopped me again, “Won’t you please take some of these sandwiches home with you? I hate for them to go to waste.” I wrinkled my nose, not wanting to bring anything back to New Jersey with me, but she seemed so desperate, I humored her. “I guess I can take something to my husband,” I offered, knowing full well that my picky eater would never touch anything with tomato or lettuce on it. Nevertheless, I grabbed a six-inch sub from the neatly laid out platter and wrapped it in tinfoil. I shoved the entire wad into my purse and started home. I traveled uptown through the subway and then switched to the bus terminal, where I would continue to New Jersey. It’s a very familiar route to me by now, long, frustrating, and tiring, but then I remember how lucky I am to be able to commute in and out of N...

I’m used to a man in a uniform. Eddie and I met in the Army and he’s remained a soldier either full or part time ever since. I suppose the tan and green Army Combat Uniforms have become sort of hum drum for me, probably because I also had to wear them 5 days a week for 4 years. Nothing makes you feel less feminine than putting on a clunky pair of combat boots, men’s size 8, every morning. I guess when I’m wearing the same outfit as a guy, I don’t see it in the dreamy-fantasy like way that other people view a man in a military uniform. Now Eddie has a new uniform and I’m doing a double take when he goes to work every day. Button up, collared shirt with a necktie, and bulky because of the bulletproof vest he wears underneath. A leather holster around his waist with a nightstick, handcuffs, and 9-millimeter pistol. A brown, wide brimmed hat that sits straight as a ruler across his forehead. He is…a National Park Ranger. I went to visit him at work on the night shift, where he protects ...

Eddie asked me a few days ago, "What do you want for Valentine's Day?" I thought about it for a minute, then realized, we don't normally make a huge deal out of the holiday. So I offered this reply, "To be swept of my feet." Confused and slightly defeated, he nervously asked, "Have I ever swept you off your feet?" "Yes." "When?" He demanded. "When you proposed....the second time, no the third time." Disclaimer, you're about to read some cutsie, cheesy, romantic stuff, so stop here if you're not that kind of person (actually don't stop cuz I have a great video at the bottom, so at least watch that!). You see, Eddie proposed the first time, and I said yes. But since we've been married, he has proposed at least 2 other times, just to let me know he still feels that way. The "third proposal" was the most involved. We had been married for 3 years and went on a whale watching tour in New Eng...

In honor of Valentines Day, I've been carrying my camera around with me all day, snapping shots of couples in love. When you stop and take time to notice, they're really everywhere! This one is my favorite A Valentines date on a romantic roof top. They've been together since October. The winter storms have only made them stronger. Aw, so tweet! Together for years, and they still have a spice in their relationship. They like to cuddle. What? How'd that get in there? Oh well, guess it works with the theme! Happy Valentine's Day!