SJT: OLW Reflection

Carol Varsalona is hosting Spiritual Journey Thursday for June and asked us to write about our One Little Word. Check out Carol's thoughtful post about her OLW for the year, restore. You can also find links to the reflections of other spiritual travelers there. Feel free to join us with your own thoughts. We are an open and welcoming group who post on the first Thursday of the month (or sometimes just as soon as we can get around to it).

When Carol invited us to write about our OLW (One Little Word) for the year, I'm sad to admit that I couldn't remember mine. I headed to my blog where I was able to find an entry and my word "rhythm." The fact that I couldn't remember it reveals that I needed this mid-year reminder from Carol to reflect on my word. 

I worked hard to establish a more consistent rhythm for my mornings early in the year and made progress with an increased focus on scripture study (we are studying the Old Testament this year) and meditation. It continues to be a challenge for me to engage in quiet time before the concerns of the day crowd in. I like to read from an inspirational book as part of this morning time. I've enjoyed the following books so far this year: A Rhythm of Prayer edited by Sarah Bessey and Counterweights by Shannan Martin. I discovered my newest e-read, The Sacred Pulse: Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls while googling rhythms in preparation for writing this post.

One of the rhythms that I've been more successful at establishing is almost daily walks. I usually get outside five days a week to move my body, listen to the birds, and notice the beauty around me. I love watching the rhythms of nature play out, from the silence of snow to the gentle rain to the blossoming trees and the joyful singing birds.  I captured some photos on a walk and included them on a SOL post in April, concluding with this photo and haiku.

 

Cathedral of green

refreshes heavy hearts

comforts weary souls 

- Ramona Behnke

My newest rhythmic exploration is the Tai Chi class that I started at my local YMCA this month. AI offers this overview: "In Tai Chi, rhythm acts as the invisible bridge between breathing, weight shifting, and movement." I've wanted to practice Tai Chi for decades, ever since I watched its beautiful rhythmic movements on a hillside across from our apartment in Hong Kong as a young twenty something missionary. It's taken me almost fifty years, but I'm excited to let this be my summer of Tai Chi. 

Slice of Life: An 80th Birthday Celebration

It's an event of note. Just a few short weeks ago, I was in Texas to celebrate my sister's 80th birthday with her. When I visited in February of 2025, I committed to being there for this significant birthday in 2026, even though I usually don't visit Texas after April or before November. My eleven years in Houston taught me that the livable months in Texas are November through April. However, I was willing to make a rare exception to be there in May for this major birthday. 

I enjoyed going through my sister's photo albums and collecting pictures to share at the party while also quizzing her about significant events in her life. She has the razor sharp memory of our father which she passed on to her son, Michael. Kara, my niece in Texas, also has this delightful gift. As we viewed collected pictures of her eight decades, Kay shared the stories behind the events. It was a wonderful way to celebrate this dear sister and her eight decades on earth. 

                   

Martha Kay was part of the first wave of baby boomers, born in 1946, post WWII.  She joined big sister, Velma Ann on May 16, 1946. She was born at St. Mary's hospital in McAlester, Oklahoma. At the time, they lived at McNally Flat with my mother's parents, Bud and Ella Duff.  

Kay stars in the classic "bath in a dishpan" photo 

(mine was taken in the kitchen sink). 

Kay with her big sister, Velma Ann 

 

 Her first name, Martha, comes from our paternal grandmother. In the first decade of Kay's life, two more baby boomer siblings, Karl Ellis and Ramona Ella (that's me), joined the family. Known in the family as Martha Kay, she made a conscious decision to go by "Kay" when she entered fourth grade in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

(Martha) Kay and little brother, Karl Ellis 

 

Nearing the end of Kay's first decade: 

 my arrival completes our family of three girls and a boy! 

Birthday Fun 

What's a party without balloons and flowers?

Daughter, Katie (in blue floral), & her husband, Wesley

 Kay, the birthday girl

Son, Michael, and his wife, Becca

 

The gals who traveled: 

Sister-in-law, Kathy, from Oklahoma,

niece, Kara, from Texas,

& sister, Ramona, from North Carolina.

 

An 80th birthday deserves two cakes:

 Daughter Katie made the chocolate cake

and granddaughter Rachelle made the carrot cake.

Both were delicious! 

 Granddaugher Anabelle chats with Nana. 

 

The grands claim prime real estate with Nana, 

leaving the rest of us sitting at the kids' table! 

 

Girls in purple:

Granddaughter Rachelle, Kay, and daughter-in-law Becca 

Our 11 days together went by far too quickly.

I always request one final pic with my sis!

 

Happy 80th birthday, Kay! 

Lucky me to share our sisterhood for my seven decades.