About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, October 31, 2011

P is for PAIN

Before we get going, may I say I hope you all had a purrfectly perfect PUMPKIN Day!

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross says, "The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

I must have been chosen to be one of the "beautiful people" then, because I have been through an awful lot of both physical and emotional pain. After my late husband's suicide, my counsellor asked me, "How do you cope?" I believe I was gifted with an innate coping device - along with my faith, of course. I have always pretended to be happy when in pain, and apparently that is a sign of how strong someone is. I keep on smiling - and smiling some more. Here is my take on pain.
PAIN

Pain is the colour of a saw made of steel.
It looks like a grotesque grimace from Cain.
It sounds like the howling wind and the rain.
It smells like burning flesh on the grill.
It tastes like smoke from the dentist's drill.
It feels like shards of glass that kill.
Pain is a bitter potion designed to heal.

Thanks to Denise Nesbitt and her plethora of personnages who plunder along each week to promote ABC Wednesday by visiting all the participants to see what they’ve posted. Everyone deserves a prize for the part they take in producing perfectly productive posts!

31 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

There's a lot of pain in the world sometimes, yet you seem to deal with yours astonishingly well, which is quite admirable.

Trubes said...

Laughter does overcome pain....I to speak through experience!
We met Denise last week, as you know, and despite my painful back, due to sitting in the car for long periods of time, but as soon as I met Denise, we laughed so much, that the pain was forgotten.
I have just written about our meeting, I hope you enjoy reading it.....I can't wait for us all to meet up, there sure will be pleny of laughter, soon diminishing Pain!

Di..xx

Lisa said...

I feel the sting of pain as I read your words. The quote from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross is especially poignant. I'll probably use it today as a fb status b/c we have family members going through a lot of suffering and emotional pain. I applaud your coping skills and hope your faith continues to carry you onward and upward.

Nanka said...

Very impressive and the last line is so meaningful and sums it all up!!
Beautiful thoughts shared in here today!!

Rajesh said...

The PAIN has been put together very wonderfully.

EG CameraGirl said...

You must be a very strong person indeed, Leslie!

anthonynorth said...

Such strength is more than admirable.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

It has been said that you are not given more than you can handle-I disagree with that! I'd like to not have to handle the pain that is doled out to me!
But, it certainly can deepen the compassion and understanding within you.

Kay L. Davies said...

I agree with Nanka. That last line sums it all up.
Of course, there are people who sail through life quite happily with no problems, and then die peacefully surrounded by their loved ones, but I don't know who they are.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Leslie: said...

Paula, I often wonder why I have been given a plateful, but then I ask myself, "Why not me?" And it's because I can deal with it even though I do NOT want to.

Leslie: said...

Kay, I agree I'm a bit envious of those who sail through life in sheer joy and then pass peacefully on amidst their loved ones. But one has to accept the hand dealt. *sigh*

Gigi Ann said...

I think we have all experienced some sort of pain in our lives, both physical and emotional. I find the toothaches the worst kind of pain, and I hear that dentist's drill going in my head right now...; )

Reader Wil said...

You certainly are a strong woman and could cope with very difficult and painful events in your life. There are many elderly people in our blogging world and all of them have had their painful moments. Nobody is spared. I wish that we all are as strong as you are, dear Leslie!

Chronicles of Illusions said...

such strength in the weight of this all

Hildred said...

A very mindful post, Leslie, and I have great admiration for your strength. Keep smiling....

photowannabe said...

Stunning poem Leslie. My senses agree with each sentence you wrote.
Absolutely powerful.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Yes, that's a very accurate description of pain, Leslie and I know you have beennthrough so much. You are a very strong and lovely lady.

Tumblewords: said...

Poignant poem and thoughtful post.

Hazel said...

Love your take on pain. Thanks for adding that beautiful quote on beautiful people. "Pain is ... designed to heal" - my fave part.

MaR said...

Powerful poem, painful words... I like the optimism of the last line.

P is for...

sally in norfolk said...

Smiling makes everything seem better.... and can hide a thousand things x

Penelope Notes said...

I like the last line in your prose, Leslie. It sometimes seems as if the worst tasting medicine is the one that heals best. It also seems that in life pain will not be ignored and needs to be walked right through, despite the great discomfort it presents. But I imagine it can also help to put on an equally great grin like on the face of that smiling pumpkin.

Francisca said...

Pain shoots through all the senses when reading your Post, Leslie. I believe there are reasons we may never know for the painful cards we are dealt, but if in the end you pass the tests and become one of the beautiful people, it just may be worth it all. Still, it doesn't make things easier, does it...?

Gattina said...

Pain is difficult to bear but if it's possible humor helps !
Gattina
ABC Wednesday Team

nancygrayce said...

We don't know why we are given the painful things we are given, but you sure are a trooper! One day we will see clearly when we stand face to face!!!!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Without pain, we won't be able to appreciate other things that life offers!

Gel said...

Your poem is poignant. So devastating to cope with a spouse's suicide. ALthough pain in our lives "makes us strong", as one who also has survived a lion's share of types of pain, I know that less of it, still would have been welcomed. Life is what we make of it, though and you shine!

Powell River Books said...

What a plethora of p's. We did have a nice (and quiet) Halloween up at the cabin. Only our decorations Mr. Boo and Mr. Bat reminded us that spirits were afoot. - Margy

Dias Spot said...

Wow, great composition Leslie!

Dhemz said...

Pain is part of our journey.....great choice!

Gorden said...

Thank you for your post, pretty helpful material.
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