StevenHoward• Show poetry

It's time for a change of attitude. I have such great friends on this site. I love to write. But all I have written for the last three or four years has been technical writing for my employer (Microsoft).

I just watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in any part of the world on any day. Now, I sit here gazing at the fading hues of red and purple as dusk gives way to darkness over the Pacific, and I think, "If this doesn't inspire writing in someone who loves to write, then that person is already dead."

I love to share the beauty around me. I must have the best job in the world because it frequently carries me to the most beautiful settings in the world. Often, I get to take my wife and son with me on these travels - how could I beat that? Even where I live when I'm not travelling is one of the most beautiful areas of the world that I have ever seen.

Before Microsoft, the beauty I saw was in the stories I knew. I still love stories, but that's just not where I am at the moment. Now, what surrounds me is the beauty of God's creation, and the people I encounter in these settings. God has Perfectly matched me to my job. Sometimes, I joke that somebody really messed up because I'm getting paid to do this, but joking or not, I am constantly amazed that this farm boy has arrived at such a place in his life where he gets to travel to such places and see such things.

I want to begin posting columns about the places where I travel, and what I see. I want to tell the stories and legends I hear, and share the beauty I see. I don't want to make anyone envious (as one of my friends has said it sounds as if I am doing), I just feel like I am going to bubble over sometimes wanting to tell my friends of the beautiful places where I am. I plan to begin posting my "travelogue." I wish I could bring all of my friends with me, but since I can't bring them physically, I want to share what I can.

I can't really post pictures on the site because I'm not a gold member, but I think links I post still show up as links. Here is a sample of what is inspiring me to write for pleasure again:

Kapolei Photos

Aren't those sunsets just beautiful beyond description? How can a person watch that and not be inspired? I actually have a whole series of pictures from different locations that I call "Sunrise, Sunset" - a not-so-subtle borrowing of the poetic words from "The Fiddler on the Roof." These photos will go well in that collection.

So, my friends, I want to share the beauty around me with you. Please let me know what you think as I post travel articles. My travel is courtesy of Microsoft to serve customers' technical needs, and I am blessed to have a job that is such a perfect fit for me.



To my lovely wife (With whom I have now shared 24 years). This is the song on my mind each time I leave you in the airport on the trips where you cannot join me:

One Soft Goodbye

When the light begins to fade
And shadows fall across the sea
One bright star in the evening sky
Your love’s light leads me on my way

There’s a dream that will not flee
A burning hope that will not die
So I must go with the wind
And leave you waiting on the tide

Time to fly, time to touch the sky
One voice alone, a haunting cry
One song, one star burning bright
Let it carry me through darkest night

Rain comes over the gray hills
And on the air a soft goodbye
Hear the song that I sing to you
When the time has come to fly

When I leave and take the wing
And find the land that faith will bring
The brightest star in the evening sky
Is your love waiting far for me

(As Sung by Lisa Kelley)

I love the places I travel to, but I love them much more when you can come and share them with me. When I'm in those places alone, I spend my time wishing you could see the things I see, and thinking how much you would enjoy every beautiful thing before me.