Throughout the ups and downs of growing up, I found that writing often helped me to sort out my thoughts and feelings about life, or about a situation that was on my mind at the moment. Many times it was family or relationships that inspired me to pick up my pen and paper. Later, as a wife, mom, and now grandmom, I still find family and friend relationships a source of inspiration. Sometimes it's an important event, or intense emotion. At other times, it's just a subtle fleeting feeling or thought that captures my attention or my heart. It seems the seed of a poem can blow in from anywhere. I can't predict it. I just enjoy the surprise and do my best to capture the essence of it when it shows up!  Here are a few random thoughts and words my family has inspired over the years.