Thirteen

I wrote this 4 years ago when Annabelle was graduating from 8th grade. Never typed it out.  I found it today folded up, scribbled on wide rule lined paper shoved in a box. As she finishes her last day of High School today, it couldn't have been a stronger sign telling me to put it out there....

She's thirteen going on twenty,

Doesn't have a need for her Mother.

She thinks she's in control.

Got it all covered now,

Boys, friends, school...

She knows it all.

My Baby isn't a baby any more,

She's heading for the stars,

Zooming beyond the moon,

Breaking her Mother's heart,

But making her so proud.

She's dancing through life

on a silver lined cloud.

Social butterfly, wings spread wide,

Artist, musician, athlete.

Running every direction...

Totally cool (unlike me)! 

Moving at the speed of light.

No time to look back.

Dominating this game called life.

In a camera's flash...

Leaving behind stories and memories

in her dust.

Searching....

         


          As a parent with a house full of kids, I often wonder what the heck I am doing!  Really.  I do. I have to literally stop in my tracks and realize that my frustration is adding to the kids frustration, that is in turn just totally ticking me off and making everything worse. So, I'm searching...for joy and happiness and love and laughter, now, in all the simple moments.  I am trying to make every effort possible to remove the negative, the frustration, the anger and just find the happy.  See, if I'm happy, the kids are happy.  There is way too much worry and intensity is this little, overcrowded, chaotic house of ours.  We need more laughter! Search for, find and remember the fun! Hysterical laughter helps too!

Charity

Sometimes we are the receiver.  Sometimes we are the giver.  Either way, it brings happiness, joy and love!

           The definition of charitable or charity do not really need explanation.  The thing that needs explaining is how the needs of others should NEVER be questioned or judged.  What one is in need of may seem unnecessary to you or I, but it isn't our need.  If you don't feel a giving heart for that cause, then don't give.  It is not ours to say if someone else should give. It is that simple. We all have our own causes and our own need.  Be passionate about yours, don't bring judgement to another.  The power of social media has given us all an opportunity to spread good will in our community and across the globe.  Take advantage of it! Giving a dollar or even a benevolent smile can change the world, don't think for a second that it doesn't make a difference. It does! It gives opportunity and encouragement where there was none. 

           Don't be ashamed of charity offered to you or having to ask for it.  That is what we are all here for. To give and to receive. It's a fairly simple, commonsensical concept. Get it out of your head that you're too good to receive it, just be grateful for the blessing. Get it out of your head that you don't need to give, it hardens the heart. Being stubborn or greedy will get you nowhere in life.

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is BLESSED." 

~ Maya Angelou ~

The Optimist's Creed

The Optimist's Creed, originally published as Promise Yourself, was written in 1912 by Christian D. Larson, appearing in his book Your Forces and How to Use Them. Larson was an influential New Thought Leader. His Creed has been inspirational for many.

Read it.

Memorize it.

Live it.

Transform.

2015.....

Lack of words....

My words elude me. Daily. I sit to write or type and they're missing. I dream them, watch them, hear them as I walk, drive, mow the lawn, paint, make lunches, give baths and then, POOF, gone.  They seem brilliant at the time, almost not me. Definitely not me.  I go to place them on paper and I've lost them, forever.  Elusive ideas and thoughts, brilliantly meant for only me! Dammit!  You would have really liked some of them!

My shoes...

My shoes are dirty
Though spirited and strong
So far from home
not yet defeated.

They continue the path
and eventually wander off
looking for something anew
amongst the tree's or even the roadside.
Something magical 
to bring back home.
Yet, there is an endless expanse awaiting.

My shoes, no one knows
a place for only me
you can try them
but you won't feel or see as me.

They take me through my life
my journey through time
looking for adventure
sometimes, rough terrain.
Meeting new people
or recconnecting with old friends
they never tire of smiling faces.

 My shoes are worn
They're tired and torn
So far from home
and nowhere near done.

They have seen some miles...
on paths of the countryside
on sidewalks of the cities
in puddles on rainy days
in the mud of flower gardens
in newly fallen snow
in piles of crunchy fall leaves
They still have great lengths to go.

My shoes won't stop
a new path they'll find
until my limbs won't go
and my heart says, enough.

They will blaze trails
into rising & setting suns
to greater lengths
than my mind thought possible
until they land back home
when my journey is done.