WORDS OF STRENGTH, PEACE, AND INSPIRATION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES-AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM!Inspired by great works of visual art, writing, and sculpture-as well as small moments observed alongside her home-schooled daughter and beloved dog Seamus-poet and U.S. Marine Corps spouse Lisa Stice explores the invisible forces and frictions at work in our lives."Stice is a master of quiet revelation and connection," says the publisher. "Her words illuminate how to find beauty, wonder, calm, and strength in a world that too often feels filled with ugliness and chaos."For example, in "Woman Holding a Balance," Stice considers the image of Johannes Vermeer's 1664 painting of the same name, revealing the grounded strength within: behind her: a healing gracethe salvation of forgivenesspromise and sacrificebefore her: value weighedan equal measuredignity and decorumwithin her: blood of generationsnurturing warmtha round-cheeked futureAnd, in "While Daddy's at Training, Our Daughter Asks Questions" I don't know how to explain 35,000 feet-all I can say is it's very high-yes, far aboveour house and those trees, but no, not beyondthe moon or the stars-and how far are those?but I don't know how to explain that either.When will he be back?-so I count the days, point to them on the calendar-what is it likein the sky?-I say I know it's cold and difficultto breathe, but I don't know how to explain50 below or the partial pressure of oxygen.She pretends to be an airplane-can I skydive?-and I say when you are much older, but I don'tknow if I'd want her to-she counts backwardsthen jumps her couple inches-and my heartrises before it falls back into place again.
