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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Jolts of Silk



I'm feeling a little silky with bliss today because of three things:


1. The poetry blog site Bolts of Silk features what I think is among my best poems ever. You can see "How the Egret Saved Me" here.


2. I have a year and nine months sobriety today. I no longer mourn that I drank again after 15 years. The experience has given me a new life and a renewed compassion for the alcoholic who still suffers. I mourn nothing that has happened in my life. It has given me richness beyond what I ever hoped for.

3. Tomorrow my family will gather at our house for the annual Christmas Eve supper, and then we'll go to our separate churches for that beautiful Christmas Eve service. I'm grateful for my family and the precious freedoms we have that I too often take for granted.

And saying that, I suddenly envision the Bill of Rights, that amazing document that spells out our freedoms. Then there's the simple statement in the Declaration of Independence that we have the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, merely because we live in the United States, a free country....that is awesome, when I think about it. The signers of the Declaration, "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world," sought justice and freedom, pledging their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor to uphold such a declaration.

In spite of the many things that have sullied the independence and freedom envisioned for us, we have that Bill of Rights, and the justice of this land is bound to abide by them. I'm grateful to live in this free country, where I can publish what I like, have the opinions I wish to have, worship the way I want to, and make of my life whatever I'm willing to work for.

Christmas may come and go, but I won't stop praying for peace on earth and good will toward humanity everywhere.

15 comments:

RNSANE said...

I am there with you in your prayers for peace in this world. I don't know if I will ever see it in my lifetime but I hope that my children and grandchildren ( if I live to see them ) will know a world without war.

Have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones!

Shadow said...

ooo, a new blog to check out, yipheeee.

congratulations on your (1+9)+15. you're right, things happen for they must, to renew, enrich, increase. it is, after all, about getting up, and not about falling down.

i love your prayer right at the end, don't mind if i'll join you. merry christmas!

the walking man said...

dead link on the poem Kiddo.


Enjoy your family more than anything else just Chris.

Karen said...

The final image in "How the Egret Saved Me" is as beautiful as any I've seen.

Congratulations on your sobriety. I am so happy that you are sober and here and able to enrich the lives of so many others.

You are so right about our freedoms. Just that we can go to our separate churches is one of its blessings.

I may not be back on here until after Christmas - everyone's coming today and tomorrow, so I'll be a little busy (can't wait to get my fingers on those babies)!

Have a most blessed Christmas, Chris.

Syd said...

Chris, I am truly glad to have you as a blogger friend. You have enriched my thoughts through what you write. I hope that your prayer of peace on earth and good will toward humanity is one that each of us needs to do. I am more mindful of that in these troubled times than ever before in my life.

Brian Miller said...

...to peace and good will...

not mourning the events of your life is a wonderful way to live...

so cool about your poem too..

hope you have an incredible holidays!

big Jenn said...

:) jeNN

Lou said...

I've had the opportunity to travel extensively, and what it has done is make me appreciate the USA even more. Amen, Chris, and God bless you and yours.

Tall Kay said...

So many reasons to be grateful and full of bliss! You are an inspiration to the rest of us that walk beside you. Love and hugs to you my friend.

Dianne said...

Cool!

Unknown said...

Chris I hope your Christmas is as blessed as you've made all of us feel as we join you on the trudging the happy road of destiny together.

Much love to you and congratulations and thanks for the new blog!

Much love,
Gabi

Crafty Green Poet said...

Congratulations on your sobriety! Thanks for sending people over to Bolts of Silk too...

Hope you had a wonderful family Christmas Eve supper and best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and new Year

Nikki (Sarah) said...

congrats on the year and nine...have a great and awesome holiday. Sarah

Mariana Soffer said...

My dear friend, it makes me really happy that you had those 3 greatefull things/events. Do not forget that at least the first 2 are all your merit, so be proud of yourself, not ego-like love, but respect for who you are.

Whish you the best.
M

Julie said...

Hello, dear Chris. I'm finally online for a while again, and I couldn't wait to read your poem on Bolts of Silk (I hope you received my note). Your poem is, without a doubt, an excellent piece of work! The lines just sing and are full of beauty. Congratulations on such a fine publication. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family. You are so right about freedom!