GRATITUDE FELT

Recently, while on a flight back east, a young female soldier sat across the isle from me. She was very dignified and lovely. I noticed immediately how she carried herself. One of the stewards approached her and asked her if there was anything special that she needed and he, the steward, then told her that it was a privilege to have her on board. Later, the captain, announced that two fallen soldiers were being transported to Arlington National Cemetery and that the soldier was escorting the fallen soldiers. I reached over and gently touched her arm. She turned and smiled at me. There was not much to say but I know she felt the enormous amount of gratitude that we all felt toward her and especially the two fallen soldiers. Sometimes the words of gratitude need not be spoken, only felt.

SUNFLOWERS

The view from my rocker on the back porch in early morn is a delight. I see the blue, blue sky with wispy clouds. I see the dew on the grass. I see bees buzzing about the garden. But it is the sunflowers bending over my fence and nodding their big yellow heads that really catch my eye. It will soon be fall and their heads will become heavy and droopy and the seeds will burst forth as the butterflies, birds, and bugs enjoy their nectar and seeds.

They are a curious flower for they enjoy having their faces baked by the sun as they follow it throughout the day. In the early morn, they face due east. They are waiting for the sun to come over the mountain and shine on their yellow faces. As the sun moves across the sky, the flower's face will follow. At midday, the flower is due south. They continue to follow the sun to the west until sunset. As the evening shadows fall, the sunflowers turn their faces back to the east. I believe they are waiting for the sun to rise again the next day.

My thoughts turn to my grandmother's sun hat which reminded me of a sunflower. It had a large brim which shaded her face and shoulders. She wore it as she picked raspberries from her garden. The crown of the hat always seemed to face the sun, just as a sunflower, as she embraced its shade. What joy the view from my rocker brings me from the early morn to the last bit of light at night. And at sunrise the next day, just as the sunflower, I am ready to enjoy the warmth of the sun once again on my face.

THE WRITTEN WORD

With pen in hand
I script the notes
of daily salutations.
I record the memories of the day
of family and relations.
It keeps in tack the happenings
which should always be remembered.
For without the precious pen in hand,
I'd forget the words rendered.

IS HE NOT MY BROTHER?

Sometime ago, while attending our daughter's graduation, my husband and I arrived early for the first day's celebration and found seats which were near the front and perfect for our vision. The time was drawing near for the graduation to begin and the seats next to me were still empty when I noticed a small group of people walking and chattering down our isle. As I looked up to see them, I was surprised to see a homeless man sitting down next to me. He looked over at me and smiled and said, "Hello." Although my initial reaction was one of concern, amazingly, I noticed his warm brown eyes and I sensed that he was a kind and gentle person. He was with other people who also seemed to be kind and gentle but obviously had their own challenges. They had been befriended by a graduate with his work as a counselor, and because of his great love for them, he had invited them to attend the graduation. They embraced him and you could see the joy in their faces in his presence. But what was I to do? The thought crossed my mind that in a way I was being tested to see what kind of person I really am. Was I to get up and find a new seat? Was I to let him know of my displeasure with his smell? Was I to ask him to move? How could I possibly take having him sit next to me for two whole hours with his terrible odor?

So I sat there and I questioned to myself, "Is he not my brother, my neighbor, and perhaps at some other time, my friend?" A remarkable thing began to happen. I started to observe this small band of friends and I delighted in their interaction with each other. They were filled with happiness and joy. They spoke lovingly and respectfully towards each other. They were happy to be together. Who was I to look at them and see only what displeased me for are we not all children of God? So, I decided that I must sit next to him no matter what. It was an interesting experience to say the least.

As the graduation progressed, and at a most reverent part of the ceremony when the audience was hushed and you could have heard a pin drop, they decided to snack on a box of wheat thins and a container of sour cream. The rustling of the box, the dipping of the sour cream, and the chewing of the crackers irritated others who turned around to stare at them. By this time, I had become completely fascinated by the inner workings of this little band of friends. I delighted in their desire to share crackers and sour cream with each other and the fact that they were completely oblivious to the displeasure of others around them. I observed their innocence and their genuine love for each other, and I again thought to myself, "Is he not my brother, my friend, and my neighbor--if only for two hours?" And so I sat there and observed and enjoyed their sociality wishing that I had my own box of crackers and sour cream dip and some friends to share it with. After the graduation was over and refreshments served, they joyfully embraced the man who had invited them. They rejoiced in his accomplishment and in his friendship. The graduate already knew about them what I was taught--to appreciate and know that we are all children of God and that He delights in each of us no matter what our circumstances.

THE MASTERPIECE

Not everything I think or say is a masterpiece.
Yet, it is a miracle to think or to say anything at all.
Not everything I do or feel is a masterpiece.
Yet, to do or to feel is amazing unto it self.
Not everything I believe is a masterpiece.
Yet to have faith and belief is profound.
Not everything I write is a masterpiece.
Yet, writing inspires the substance of my soul.
Not everything I share is a masterpiece.
Yet, the marvel of sharing is a gift to behold.
Not everything about me is a masterpiece.
Yet, God adores me and tells me that I am.

A SLICE OF AMERICANA

Have you ever noticed how perfect are each of Norman Rockwell's paintings? They are snapshots of life--just a moment in time--which are both simple and yet profound.

The young girl who is sitting outside the princpal's office has been in a fight at recess--probably with a boy--and is, of course, in trouble. But she is so pleased with herself--rumpled clothes and all, dirty face and all, for naturally she won. The big grin on her face tells it all. Ah, victory at any price. Don't we all love to win?

The teenage girl who is sitting in front of an oval mirror in her petticoat looking dispargingly at herself. She has a magazine with a movie star on the front cover. As she compares herself to the movie star, she wonders, "Will I ever have the beauty of a movie star? It all seems so hopeless." Haven't we all wondered if we will ever have the looks of a "movie star?"

A young handsome scout carries the shivering-cold child in a blanket across the river. He has saved this innocent child from terrible peril. His back is straight. His uniform is perfectly pressed. His face has the look of determination. The sight leads one to believe that he is a hero in his own right. It sends chills up your spine. Why, it's the stuff that heroes are made of. Don't we all have dreams of doing something noble?

Noman had a way of capturing an honest moment--a snaphot of life--that we can all relate to. No wonder he is known as the "artist of America." Actually, his artwork is so life like that his pictures look like old photographs.

Our old Kodak camera took wonderful pictures--in black and white, of course, and most always perfect. It was just a simple black box with a lens, shutter, and a roll of film. Nothing much to it. Flip open the back, pull on the roll of film and stretch it over the black frame, then twist, twist, twist, and snap into place. Steady now. Everyone smile. Click, and there you have it. A perfect picture of a perfect moment.

One photograph taken by the old Kodak camera, which stands out in my mind and looks very much like one of Rockwell's famous paintings, is of my family as we had gathered around the dining table for a feast of feast. Everything about it is wonderful and pleasing to the eye. A beautiful meal is presented with the turkey as the centerpiece. A humble prayer is offered. Feelings of gratitude fill the dining room as the family joins together. The old Kodak could not have taken a more beautiful picture and Rockwell could not have painted a more perfect picture--a true slice of Americana. Yet, it is just a snapshot of life--a moment in time--both simple and profound.

ELEVENTY BILLION DOLLARS

Have you ever dramed about being rich--I mean filthy, obscenely, and disgustingly rich? I would imagine most of us have had those dreams. In our moments of grandiose day dreaming, perhaps we have sanctimoniously thought, "Some day when I have eleventy billion dollars, I will help everyone in the whole wide world. No one will ever go hungry again, and we will all fly to Hawaii for a fun vacation. I will pay off everyone's bills, and we will all live in mansions with maids, butlers, and big screen TV's in every room. We will sit by the pool and drink lemonade all day long and nobody will bug us. That's what I will do when I have eleventy billions dollars! Yes, when I have eleventy billion dollars, I will make sure everyone has a new red car, and we will all go to the movies and then fly to Paris for lunch. In the meantime, however, I will buy lunch for a friend and gas for a stranger's car. I will buy a few groceries for a family in need and slip someone $20 for diapers.
Then when that day finally comes and I have eleventy billion dollars, I know what I will do. I will make cookies with my grandchildren. I will chat with my children on the phone. I will go for a stroll with my husband and listen to him sing. And most importantly, I will day dream about what I will do with the rest of my money. Why, I feel rich already!