Saturday, December 27, 2008

Storms Before Breakfast

The sky so massive, so full of
wind, it wants to blow me over
as it gathers overhead. I stand

fast, camera in hand, rocking
with each gust: a mere feather
compared to its power. The

clouds roll: I roll right along
with them, dodging each punch:
boxing never felt so good.

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

First Christmas Without Daddy

Dear Daddy,

What's it like up there? All I know,
lonely down here. No decorations:
don't really feel like celebrating, not
without you. You loved this time of
year: remember the tree that was
too big to fit in the living room? And
when we were eight years old: look!
Santa's bootprints leading from the
fireplace to the table where we had
laid out his snacks and milk to the
tree and back again: what a m e s s
Mommy had to clean up. That was
you, wasn't it, wanting to make it a
Christmas to remember? Forty one
years later, still do. The expression
on Karen's face when she saw that
polar bear: didn't need the flash on
the camera, the way the light from
her smile filled the room. Of course,
older sister ruined it, saying there
was no such thing as Santa. But I
still believe ... when I moved away,
the calls, telling me it was snowing:
haven't seen a White Christmas in
forever. Telling me you loved and
missed me: not half as much as I
miss you, Daddy. Especially now.
My tears the only present I can
give you: say Hello to Jesus for me.

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman

Happy Birthday, Jesus


In the midst of the holiday crush/
rush to buy, buy, buy, we forget
the Real Reason for the Season:

a loving Father sent us the First
Gift of Christmas. It came, not
in fancy paper, topped off with a

bow. It was found in a manger,
wearing swaddling clothes. It
was given free, although it cost

the Father all He had. He loved
us so much. The Gift: the birth of
a Savior. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman

The Skies Have Eyes

... even though storms have been
watching me for forty nine years,
this is the first time I stared back
with bold eye of video. It couldn't
do much but flicker nervously in
the distance and try to knock me
down with wind: thunder hadn't
arrived yet, nor the rain. Chasers
have to start somewhere: for me, it
was in the Wal*Mart parking lot.
Better late than never, eh? Walked
right up to fear, introduced myself
and took its picture: this is
what it looks like on camera: as
scared as I used to be. The skies
have eyes and now I do, too ... =]


www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOhj3UrevlM

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman

How To Chase Without Really Trying

... my heart races along with
the clouds, beating as fast as
the wind rocking the vehicle.
Adrenaline sizzles nerves like
lightning; tension thunders as
loudly as Reed is screaming,

"Back UP!!!!" The finale of
Storm Chasers on Discovery:
way too intense. Couldn't do
it. Why I watch on TV and
chase off the front porch: it's
safer and close to shelter. =]

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman