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Friday, October 2, 2009

Gratitude Is Work Well Worth the Effort


October here on the central coast of California brings brisk mornings and hot afternoons.

I'm obsessed by my sleeplessness and a little bit of woe, and it makes me overlook the things in life that are good and sweet.

So today I'm working on thankfulness:

My house is a mess, my garden is a mess, but I have a great cup of coffee in front of me and will work a ninth step with a beautiful sponsee.
My kittens make me laugh.
My Creator loves me and all the rest of God's kids.
My spouse is loving and funny.
I have dear friends.
The blogosphere has put me in touch with an interesting, supportive community.
Poetry brings me joy.
The list could go on and on.
I have a lovely grandson is enchanted with bubbles. I've posted a picture of him.
My dear friend Betsy, who suffers from Parkinson's, has laughter in her heart. Here's a poem about her.
Have a blessed day, all you good people.

Rainbow Sky

Quivering Betsy, with her quavering voice,
rides her wheelchair as if it were a dead horse
It’s hard to tell if she’s laughing or crying
because they sound alike, that hoo, hoo, hoo
While her lumpy body slumps in the chair
like a lump of clay waiting on the wheel
tremulous hands flutter around her face, like birds

Yet she can sing to her Jehovah
in the clear bell tones of an angel
and I heard her sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength
plus part of the Hallelujah Chorus
as I left her alone in her chair in her home
Rainbows spread across the sky
like the scattered petals of a rose
and I swear I saw her dancing


Chris Alba (c) 2009

6 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

Remember your post title: "Enchanted'!

big Jenn said...

I loved the poem about your friend. I also loved the picture of your grandson, good stuff!
It's funny how reading through the blogs today I'm finding gratitude lists posted by many.
I use gratitude to keep me out of the blues and it seems to always work.
I am grateful for my blogger friends! jeNN

Syd said...

Nice poem about Betsy. And a great gratitude list.

the walking man said...

Be thankful for the sleeplessness and that which rises from it. I can be for you if needs be, because the words flow wonderfully.

Anonymous :) said...

Everything seems better with a great cup of coffee.

dark wings said...

So beautiful, reaches out to the heart and soul!...Roan