Winter's Trek

Below is a poem I wrote a few years ago.  Although it’s old, I think it’s fitting for the season.  I hope you all had a great Christmas, and wish you the best for an amazing start to 2014!

         I

As the winter winds begin to blow,

and as the trees casts shadows on the newly fallen snow,

I feel the wintry gusts fill my very heart and soul.

Is it the wind I fear, or something much more near?

I wonder. 

         II

I walk along the snow-laden path,

thinking of the fire in the hearth at home

and my heart fills with glee at the prospect of a warm bed,

dispelling everything of fear of menace, leaving warmth.

Oh yes, the winter winds blows near, but I am safe and that has made all the difference.

         III

When I was a child, I think, I was simple-minded,

as I walk through the snow.

Life and death seemed like a game to me,

as if handling a ball of fire and never getting burned.

I laugh at my ignorance and self-absorbance as make my way along the snowy path.

The feeling of comfort fades, but its light is still dimly seen through the bows of the trees.

IV

Again, my fear grows.  Old fears and suspicions rise.

Home is nowhere in sight.

I gasp, faltering to the ground.

Is it ever going to end, I wonder.  Is this unceasing cold all I am ever going to know.

“No, I tell myself.  The light of home is just around the corner.  Keep pressing and you’ll find it.”

I get up and walk a few more paces. 

V

There it is!  Home at last.

My joy soars.

I run towards the glittering lights in the windows.

Yes, I am truly home.  Let the winter winds blow,

for I am home…Fears and self-doubts melt away, 

leaving me with a joyful feeling of

home and family.

Christmas Butterfly

I just now wrote something and thought it was blog worthy.  Merry Christmas to you all and may all your dreams come true!

A butterfly came to visit me one night;

its wings glistening in the snow,

where it came from—

No one knows—

A butterfly came to visit me one night—

Whispering among the pines—

Seemingly saying, “don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

Its beauty awed me and as I stared,

It lighted upon a branch and I knew nothing compared—

As I stood awe-stricken, it said—

“It’s Christmastime, my dear, and all the world is aglow—

As you should be—as you very well know—

Don’t let your sorrows weigh on your heart in this joyous time—

For they only last a second, while happiness lasts forever,

And fills hearts ‘till they overflow—

“So forget your cares and woes, and watch my wings

Flutter and dance—

For they are like angel’s,

Thin and light,

Spreading Christmas joy throughout the world—

So, don’t be low—

It’s Christmastime—

Just let your heart have my wings—

And it will be all right with all things—

I know things in life are rocky right now, but

Just heed my words and have my wings—

And all will be all right with the world, you’ll see”—

Now, this happened many years ago,

But I still head the butterfly’s words especially around Christmastime—

And pray he has visited ones who have sorrows in their heart—

And hope that same butterfly chooses to alight on them,

Knowing they will never be the same, having joy within their very being—

Especially around the holiday season!

Helen’s World

Hi All,

I came upon a video about Helen Keller that was very inspirational.  Although she’s been gone for many years, her words for me still speak volumes about life, loss and the will to perservere.  Forgive my short blog.  I’m coming up on final’s week, so time is precious commodity!  Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy the video.

Don’t Give up on Hope

I found the article below and it spoke to me, especially as we enter into the holiday season.  The article uplifted my spirits so much I thought I’d re-post on my blog in the hopes you’d find as much as pleasure as I did.  Enjoy!

P.S.  I want to thank all of you for continuing to read my blog.  It fortifies me as I embark on my final two weeks of my last fall semester.  You’ll never know how much it means! 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/12/when-youre-this-close-to-giving-up-hope/

Thanksgiving Spirit

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I look back on this past year in wonderment and I marvel on the blessings bestowed upon me.  This is the time when I recount the year’s achievements, but also know the daunting tasks that still lay ahead of me.  I know if I keep the spirit of Thanksgiving in my heart everything will fall into place and it will reinforce thankfulness for family, friends and my persistent drive that will take me places I only imagine!

Have a good week!

Try, Try Again

Hi All,

I wanted to say last how last night’s UCP’s 60^th anniversary celebration inspired me so much.  As I heard speeches of encouragement and gratitude, I felt so enlightented!  In the past few weeks, a friend gave me this poem by T. H. Palmer named Try, Try Again, and I thought this occasion perfectly.  I hope you enjoy and are inspired by it the same way I was!

‘Tis a lesson you should heed,
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try again;

Then your courage should appear,
For if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear
Try, try again;

Once or twice, though you should fail,
If you would at last prevail,
Try, try again;

If we strive, 'tis no disgrace
Though we do not win the race;
What should you do in the case?
Try, try again

If you find your task is hard,
Time will bring you your reward,
Try, try again

All that other folks can do,
Why, with patience, should not you?
Only keep this rule in view:
Try, try again.

Don't Quit

Hi All,

We made it through another week--Yippy skippy!  You all know my fascination with poetry, but since I don't time to write my own these days I've been finding inspirational ones with my friend, Alta.  This is a poem that speaks to me during these final weeks of my fall semester.  Thank you for your continuing support.  Love you all!

Don't Quit

 

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

It Couldn't Be Done

A friend recently read this to me and I thought it blog material.  As always, I hope you had a good week.  Thank you for your continuing support.  It bolsters me as I go through these college days :)  I hope you enjoy the poem by Edgar Albert Guest.

Everyone have a good weekend!

It Couldn't Be Done

 Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
 But he with a chuckle replied
 That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
 Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried. 

 So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
 On his face. If he worried he hid it.
 He started to sing as he tackled the thing
 That couldn't be done, and he did it.

 Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
 At least no one ever has done it;"
 But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
 And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.

 With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
 Without any doubting or quiddit,
 He started to sing as he tackled the thing
 That couldn't be done, and he did it.

 There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
 There are thousands to prophesy failure;
 There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
 The dangers that wait to assail you.

 But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
 Just take off your coat and go to it;
 Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
 That "cannot be done," and you'll do it. 

 

Defying the Odds

Today, I found this totally awesome video I think defines all of us, but especially those with disabilities.  I hope you find this as inspirational as I do!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

Hold On

Hi all.  It’s Friday again!  T.G.I.F.  This week, a friend read a poem I found very inspiring, so much I thought I’d share with you all.  It’s a feel-good piece.  I hope you find it as moving as I did.  If you feel the urge, please comment.  Everyone have a wonderful fall weekend!  And without further ado—the poem.

Hold on my heart

Hold on, my heart, in your believing—

Only the steadfast wins the crown;

He, who when stormy winds are heaving,

Parts with his anchor, will go down;

But he who Jesus holds through all,

Will stand, though Heaven and earth should fall.

Hold on!  An end will come to sorrow;

Hope from the dust will conquering rise;

The storm foretells a summer’s morrow;

The Cross points on to Paradise;

The Father reigns!  So cease all doubt;

Hold on, my heart.  Hold on. hold out.