Grace of Surrender

I hate to complain

For I know it drives some insane

So I save it for those who know

Those who are familiar with pains crushing blows

I try to be brave

Not wanting to raise that white flag

But I need to rest 

To help clear my head

Need more than just a deep long breath 

So I must use that white flag

To help me sail along

On the wings of grace

I'll find my way home

Wrapped in Ribbons

I've been following those tendrilous trails of poetically put pieces of your heart...the intricate  workings of your mind...warms my soul like a gentle, soft feathered angelic friend.

The essence of your hope filled words I long to wrap around me while I dance...they feel like silky ribbons caressing my being...swirling round and round, patterns of color and life moving freely about...anticipating you sharing the beauty of your life story. 

© Sheri * September 2015
Dedicated to: William 

Broken Wings

Sad indeed, but please take heed.
We can choose to let go of those hurtful needs

The scars will still be there, and when we walk down that lane, there will be some pain, for all that love surely was not in vain.

Memories of the best, are the sweetest to keep.
As for the rest, I force myself to toss in a heap.
And when I catch a glimpse of that pile,
Oh, how my heart still leaps.
And again, I have to fight those feelings of defeat.

Our hearts are such precious things.
So we must protect, for our souls cannot soar with broken wings

© Sheri * November 2015

Calling All Angels

Down, down, down, the flakes they fall.

 Heavy and wet, makes a packed snowman tall.

The limbs of trees are all laden...

with shimmering ice crystals...

like heavenly braids of milk maidens.

The call of snow angels at my feet...

but I walk away in cold crunchy defeat.

Someday I hope to get down to play...

 but today all I can do is pray.

© Sheri * November 2015

About the Calling All Angels poem:

The first snowstorm of this winter! So different than last year, that was crazy!

Something else crazy...I didn't have to drive in it yet this winter. I know, it was on the weekend, but still, nice not having to venture out in the midst of it. Not that I didn't venture out on foot...just had to get out there and feel it for myself. And it was coming down pretty good; noisy wet, but cold and crunchy.

Another thing kinda crazy to me, still having to use my cane when I go for walks outside...sometimes I still get muscle spasms, needing the cane for stabilization until they subside, kind of stops me in my tracks. Had a laminectomy, L4-5 lumbar fusion, this past March, and I'm still struggling with mobility. I'm no longer in the excruciating sciatic pain I was in while trying to work before the fusion surgery, but then I'm still not able to work yet. My days of working myself like a mule are done and gone, just not going to happen anymore. I'm going to have to do life different from here on out....and I'm not even going to waste my time and pout! 

Though in all honesty, there are many simple things I miss not being able to do yet...still, especially without pain. But I'm still hoping someday those things I'll be able to do with more ease....Oh please!

And those prayers...took me to the title, which took me to a favorite song sung by Train, Calling All Angels.....love the music, and the words:

I need a sign to let me know you're here

All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere

I need to know that things are gonna look up

'Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup

When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head

When you feel the world shake from the words that are said

****

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

*****

I need a sign to let me know you're here

'Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear

I want a reason for the way things have to be

I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me

****

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

****

When children have to play inside so they don't disappear

While private eyes solve marriage lies cause we don't talk for years

And football teams are kissing Queens

and losing sight of having dreams

In a world that what we want is only what we want until it's ours

*****

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

I won't give up if you don't give up

****

Calling all you angels......


(Song lyrics by: Train)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's how the poem came about....the pic...my angel on my door.

Give a hoot and be thankful!

What??? A snow day before Thanksgiving? Maybe not the first, but I don't remember one in quite some time (hopefully that wasn't last year...ahhhmm). I enjoy doing projects, no matter what kind, on a snow day. So, today I charged up my Nikon 3200 while decorating four recently acquired ship etched glasses (beer, champagne?). I found the quad treasure at my favorite store in Caledonia, Accents of Home. I purchased them for my Mom for a Christmas gift; she loves ships. Don't worry, she's not an internet gal, so I'm not spoiling any surprises here.

I figured they would be safe on my shelf until Christmas...if she should get a chance to visit before Christmas, I would get to see beforehand if she likes them or not. If she doesn't seem to like them, I would just find something else for her, and give the glasses to someone else. Neither her or I are frequent alcohol consumers, but there are other beverages you could drink out of them...or you could fill them with other things like I did in today's decorating. I love pine cones and cinnamon sticks, so that's what I used. But, you could put sand and shells in them...or colored stones, flowers, or just stuff you like to look at and would look good in them.

I have decided to print out some Christmas cards with one of the pics I took. So, if my Mom doesn't see them at my place, she may notice them on the card. 

Update:  Showed my Mom one of the pics of the glasses...she looked real surprised to see them and asked me where I got them...then she said she had some just like it, and showed them to me...yep....she has six of them. Well...I was right in thinking she would like them, but she doesn't need four more. I think I know of someone else who may like them.

Tears Can Bring You Blessings

At the end of the day...

Thoughts of Jack helping me ran through my mind....

Thankful tears started to swell in my eyes...

Tears filled and overflowing with love....Oh how I appreciate...

                        

                              Thank you Father...

                                For blessing me with a son so thoughtful and sweet.

Jack, I do appreciate your time with me spent...

Peace and tenderness you can truly possess...


Your future wife will be so blessed.

Lord, please bless Jack....

With a wife of Your choice...

Someone to share in bringing You glory. 

Help them build a home filled with

     Your joy, love, and peace; 

   To rejoice in You Lord, always.

© Sheri * September 2014

My son, Jack, came over and helped me put together a swing for the deck....he was so helpful!!!!! Actually...he did most of the putting together...I just tried to be helpful. Usually I can put things together by myself quickly from written instructions....but today was one of those days when just reading the directions seemed like too much work...in other words...too complicated!...for today anyways, (no more giving up and just throwing in the towel...or the glass, or whatever's at hand : )

I was so thankful at that moment to be spending time with Jack; doing so helped restore some faith in me for mankind. It was so amazing to see a grown man not hesitate to read instructions, AND ask questions....honestly...I'm not being sarcastic. Working alongside him was so pleasant....he can be so patient (maybe a good thing I can't read minds though), but there was no body language that stated he just wanted to get it done and get going. And when I commented on how good he was at putting things together, he replied with something like...."Well, maybe someday I will have a wife that will appreciate that in me." I was instantly touched at how thoughtful he was, that he would even think that may be important to a woman...a true sign that he will appreciate having a wife.

When I went to bed that night, Jack taking the time to help me ran through my mind, and thankful tears started to swell in my eyes...tears filled and overflowing with love. And then...a poem started to flow out with those tears...

At the end of the poem, Philippians 4:4-8 (KJV) comes to mind:

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.     
        

Cross/Bible clip art: Microsoft

Heart/key clip art: Fotolia

Snow Snow Go Away!

There is no place like home, and I don't think I'd care to live anywhere else, but...West Michigan has had too much snow and cold blowing around here! Here's a few pics from my Nikon D300 camera from this winter. I would like to get out and take some more....but it's too cold!!!

I saved the snowy rock pic on my phone...I love to use the doodle feature in the phone gallery...

The pic below I took through my windshield with my phone one night. The parking lot light shone through the ice crystal pattern, making it look like the sun shining through palm trees...

But of course, I just had to doodle with it....making it look more festive.