Tag: love

A few short stories about light in one’s life.

To an ancient person, light is a life-sustaining gift from a distant bright god. To a modern person, light is electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the eye’s retina. To an artist, light might be some of both . . . and much more.

When I write, I’m never certain what precise thing light represents. In many stories it seems to symbolize a life-sustaining hope, or a radiation of the spirit detected by the heart. It might signal a burning love, living with eyes wide open, or intangible rays from beyond that define life’s shape. A glimpse of ultimate truth. A bright gift that is magical, momentary, precious.

I don’t know. What is light to you?

Following are seven short works of fiction where light is an integral part of the story:

Light at the Edges

The Firefly

One Lone Candle

One Strange, Shimmering Dream

How to Paint Angels

A Dance in the Lightning

Walking on Light

Wisdom on the Love Wall in Balboa Park.

Love little moments.
Messages of love.

A heart-shaped Love Wall stands on the patio of the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park. It has been there for several months.

Dangling from the wall are many short messages. Powerful words have been written on pieces of colored paper by many human hands. Some messages are old and faded. Others are bright and new. There’s plenty of space on the Love Wall for more wisdom.

A heart-shaped Love Wall stands on the patio of the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park.
A heart-shaped Love Wall stands on the patio of the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park.
Many messages dangle from the Love Wall. Love each other.
Many messages dangle from the Love Wall.
Amo mi familia. Love is accepting you.
Amo mi familia. Love is accepting you.
Smile.
Smile.
Love heals all.
Love heals all.
Love one another. Kindness ripples.
Love one another. Kindness ripples.
Family is everything.
Family is everything.
Love is . . . knowing it's right.
Love is . . . knowing it’s right.
Many messages of love from many different hands, young and old.
Many messages of love from many different hands, young and old.
I love you. Friendship.
I love you. Friendship.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

A heart on the ground. Music on a rooftop.

A couple days ago I noticed two hearts while walking through downtown.

One was lying on the hard sidewalk, protected with sharp barbs. The other was up on a rooftop, in a musician playing violin. The musician’s heart was precarious, vulnerable and free.

Do you protect your heart? Do you express it?

…

To read thoughtful short stories about the complex human condition, click Short Stories by Richard.

Inspiring street art in Golden Hill.

Many colorful butterflies seem to have landed atop an electrical box in Golden Hill, forming a heart.
Many colorful butterflies seem to have landed atop an electrical box in Golden Hill, forming a heart.

Walk down one particular sidewalk in Golden Hill and you might find this inspiring street art.

The messages painted on the electrical box are simple but powerful.

Inspiring street art reveals the sun's bright message . . . Still I rise.
Simple, inspiring street art reveals the sun’s bright message . . . Still I rise.
I am riding a rainbow with a bow and arrow. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.
I am riding a rainbow with a bow and arrow. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

A surprising encounter with Santa Claus.

Last year I published an original short story called An Encounter With Santa Claus. This isn’t the jolly Santa Claus we usually see.

The story has a touching ending.

If you are curious and would like to read a short work of fiction that concerns human compassion, click here.

Merry Christmas!

How do you share you care?

I make it a priority to visit and talk with people.
I make it a priority to visit and talk with people.

How do you share you care?

People have written down inspiring answers. Their words can be read in several windows of downtown’s Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

What would you write?

Having compassion and giving time and effort.
Having compassion and giving time and effort.
Acknowledgement - every one deserves to feel seen and heard and cared for and respected.
Acknowledgement – every one deserves to feel seen and heard and cared for and respected.
I teach Middle School.
I teach Middle School.
Seeing all people as human beings just trying to get through in the world.
Seeing all people as human beings just trying to get through in the world.
By sharing your time and helping a homeless person or child.
By sharing your time and helping a homeless person or child.
Teach, help people grow themselves.
Teach, help people grow themselves.
Spreading joy and color as far as I can reach.
Spreading joy and color as far as I can reach.

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Remembering loved ones on Day of the Dead.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, returns this coming Wednesday, October 31. Many in San Diego will observe the Mexican holiday, a festive span of three days that coincides with All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Day of the Dead is woven with long-lived traditions respecting human love and loss. Families build small altars, create powerful images. It is a time when loved ones who have passed on are prayed for, remembered and blessed.

Over the years, I’ve experienced several memorable Day of the Dead events in San Diego.

Here are three Day of the Dead blog posts from past years. Click the links to enjoy a variety of colorful photographs…

Love and memory: Old Town’s Dia de los Muertos.

Alive in memory: one Dia de los Muertos altar.

Day of the Dead celebration at the Old Globe.

Day of the Dead will be celebrated again this year in Old Town. If you’d like to experience this amazing event, please refer to the following flyer:

eFlyer2