G is for Gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. " Melody Beattie

"At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by the spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with great gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." Albert Schweitzer

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John F. Kennedy

I think of the word "gratitude" because I have to work hard every day to realize that no matter that my life has been a soap opera, I do have things for which I am thankful. I have survived an abusive childhood, losing a child, marriage to a man who tried to hide his mental illness until he finally killed himself leaving me with two children to raise on my own, several chronic and painful diseases and surgeries with excruciating rehabilitation, loneliness, and financial difficulties.

However, that said, I remain hard-wired as an eternal optimist, a romantic who never stops dreaming of being loved by someone special, and a lover of travel, continuing to dream of my next adventure with all the photographic opportunities to be gained. I'm grateful that God gifted me with faith, mercy, and the gift of exhortation. I'm grateful for the strength He's given me to endure all things and for the gift of my daughters and grandchildren. I'm also grateful that He gave me enough brains and common sense to be able to overcome the difficulties I've had to face. Most of all, I'm grateful for the gift of a sense of humour and a love of being a bit crazy and goofy. My poem today is about gratitude and I took the photo on Saturday night.

Gratitude

Gratitude is gracious green.

It looks like roses in a summer scene.

It sounds like laughter doubled by wonder.

It smells like rain after the thunder.

It tastes like the turkey for which I thank.

It feels like a powerful piggy bank.

Gratitude is showing heartfelt thanks.

Special thanks to Denise Nesbitt for continuing with ABC Wednesday and to all of her Genial Gang of Groovy Gallants who Give support by sharing the task of the weekly introduction and by visiting the rest of us.

F is for Friendship

On Sunday I reached a milestone. Not only was it the anniversary of the death of my husband, but I've now not been married longer than I was married. It was a strange feeling and for a little while I was a bit weepy. The past 19 years have been quite a journey raising my daughters, working full time, buying and selling homes, moving hundreds of miles away to teach school in a wilderness area, and finding out that most of my so-called "friends" turned away from me because of my situation.

However, other people came into my life to become new friends and now they are old friends, people I can trust and rely on to be there for me no matter what. I have 75 friends on my Facebook page and 74 people have signed up to "follow" my blog. So, I consider myself lucky to have that many people who think that I'm worthy of being their friend. Today I'm dedicating my poem to all my friends, near and far as well as to those I haven't met face to face yet.

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is the yellow of marigolds.
It looks like radiant double rainbows.
It sounds like “girls just wanna have fun.”
It smells like a fresh baked cinnamon bun.
It tastes like pineapple dripping off our chins.
It feels like huge hugs after our team wins.
Friendship is a gilded thread uniting two souls.

(Photo taken at Bear Creek Park, Saturday, August 20)

Special thanks to Denise Nesbitt for creating ABC Wednesday and for asking me to be part of her "team" in keeping it going. I feel like everyone who participates each week is also a friend to whom I now give a virtual hug!

E is for EMPATHY

Empathy is the ability to identify yourself with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another, which for a large part comes from the knowledge you have of yourself. If you know your own feelings well, then you can relate to others and understand them. Along with empathy comes compassion and together they create a key cornerstone in genuine human relationships. Here is my poem on Empathy:

Empathy

Empathy is a gentle blue.

It looks like pain shared by two.

It sounds like a crackling fire that warms.

It smells like after spring rainstorms.

It tastes like a cup of lemon tea.

It feels like someone hugging me.

Empathy is the key to equality.

ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Denise Nesbitt and her exuberant team of exhilarating assistants. Click here to join in the fun or to see other contributions.

Monday, August 08, 2011

D is for DESIRE

Welcome to another week of ABC Wednesday, designed and run by Denise Nesbitt, aided by her dedicated group of assistants, including moi. This week my poem is about Desire. Here we go:

DESIRE

Desire is the colour of heliotrope.
It looks like rosebuds waiting to open.
It sounds like a gentle gulp or gasp.
It smells like musk and the rose I clasp.
It tastes like strawberries and sparkling wine.
It feels like shivers down my spine.
Desire is faith in the divine. If you're not familiar with the colour "heliotrope," it is a sort of pinky-purple or a vivid lavendar. I chose this colour because I heard that it has magical properties, and with regard to desire, you can take that as you may. Oh, and those are my own roses.

Monday, August 01, 2011

C is for COURAGE

Continuing with my theme for this round, I wrote a poem using similes and metaphors on the subject of COURAGE. I'm dedicating it to all those who have shown courage in life - to soldiers on the battlefield, to individuals fighting a life-threatening disease, to those dealing with mental or physical disabilities, to those who step in harm's way for another human being, and to those who struggle to survive as a result of poverty or abuse. I like what John Wayne once said, "Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway."

COURAGE

Courage is slate grey.
It looks like a murderous day.
It sounds like a screaming NO!
It smells like facing a filthy foe.
It tastes like tears after the shockwave.
It feels like a granite grave.
Courage is, after all, simply being brave.

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her courageous group of capable assistants who care enough to continue this congregation of friends from all over the world to share their concepts for the letter of the week. Consider joining in by clicking here to see what we do.

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