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Sweet 16
words
I need them to keep going
Writing and talking and typing
Used, manipulated, celebrated
They are my friend
They are my enemy
At times, I lose them
Or, rather, they run away
Escaping from reality
Not able to inspire
--Sometimes--
Cutting, biting, binding
Into life they go
Without a thought to how
The impression will impact
Lives with a fervor
Even a debilitating fever,
At times, suffocating
The ability to care
Most times, enabling
The ability to ensnare
Lovers, friends, foes
Captivating with a line
Of recognizable woes
Enchanting with a string
Of most fantastical kinds
Of amorous things
Actions speak louder than these
Yet, they find their way in
Nestling in hidden passageways
Waiting, wanting
To spring forth at opportune times
Wishes are more wishful
Tears are made more bitter
Fear is given flight
When life is dark
Reminding us all
That without them
We would barely exist.
Without them
I would not have
Discovered you,
Love.
Aunts
Aunts are a unique breed of human. I think they are the only people in this existence who can scare you to death and make you love them to pieces at different stages in life or even all at the same time. I have a few aunts who fit this description.
Because I didn't see them as often as some other family members, these particular aunts were mysterious to me. I loved their smiles and the hugs they would give. One aunt I had only met once as a child, getting to know her more through the letters her daughter would write to me as we developed a pen pal bond as cousins. Since I didn't know these women very well, they were a type of stranger to me--beloved strangers. Any attention they gave me as I was growing up was decidedly memorable, yet I never thought they would be so important to me later on in life...
Now, today, these mysterious creatures are heaven sent angels. Each of them provides me with portions of love I never thought replaceable once my mother left the world. They have this way of listening, providing just the right advice balanced with affection and wisdom. These aunts show me, by example, how to be. How to be a woman. How to be good. How to love.
As I am an aunt myself, I hope one day my nieces and nephews might consider me a mysteriously scary yet lovingly wise influence in their lives.
Because I didn't see them as often as some other family members, these particular aunts were mysterious to me. I loved their smiles and the hugs they would give. One aunt I had only met once as a child, getting to know her more through the letters her daughter would write to me as we developed a pen pal bond as cousins. Since I didn't know these women very well, they were a type of stranger to me--beloved strangers. Any attention they gave me as I was growing up was decidedly memorable, yet I never thought they would be so important to me later on in life...
Now, today, these mysterious creatures are heaven sent angels. Each of them provides me with portions of love I never thought replaceable once my mother left the world. They have this way of listening, providing just the right advice balanced with affection and wisdom. These aunts show me, by example, how to be. How to be a woman. How to be good. How to love.
As I am an aunt myself, I hope one day my nieces and nephews might consider me a mysteriously scary yet lovingly wise influence in their lives.
Seeking to Become - October 2012
As we move into autumn and winter, the thought of comfort foods and holidays draws me in and makes me want to seek shelter. There are many kinds of shelter to be after: a physical home, arms of a loved one, a listening ear, invested friendships. All of these provide shelter in the form of comfort if they are sound sources. An ever-trustworthy source of comforting shelter is our God the Father, as well as his son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. They provide the example from whence we should draw as we strive to comfort those around us.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
It seems as if we all have our turn at being down, yet somehow there is always someone there to lift and to bless us. This thought brings me to introspection about whether or not I take my turn lifting others when I ought to. How long is the lag between when I am able and when I purposefully seek out those who need the boost that I could give them?
I am certain I receive comfort oftener than I provide it. As the month progresses, I will seek to become more like our Exemplar and comfort others as He comforts me. I hope you will join in this effort to be a safe shelter, even a comforter in troubled times.
Heartbreak Hotel: Lunchroom Edition
I was volunteering at the high school yesterday for my teaching stuff and got to walk in on the last of lunch time with my daughter who has Autism. She was sitting alone. Most of her life skills classmates were standing along a nearby wall hanging out and talking, but she wasn't. She was just sitting there--alone--people-watching. Part of this situation can be attributed to the fact that she doesn't know how to insert herself into conversations/groups. She always waits for an invitation. The other part is something I just don't know how to discuss without stepping on people's feelings; however, her solitary existence struck my heart as I approached the table, and I must say something.
I was unprepared for the deluge of emotion that overcame me. Questions and tears. Disappointment. Wishing for so much more for this precious child of mine. I don't understand why no one would want to sit with her. She is sweet and kind. To be more specific, she truly knows no guile--only purely honest simplicity of heart and being. She can't talk much but if you just sit by her she'll tell you how pretty or cool your shirt is, give you a mini back rub, and work so hard to say something--anything. Why wouldn't someone who knows her from classes or church think to befriend her? Why wouldn't those individuals have an empathetic response? Would they like being alone at lunch time?
I think it begins at home. Why don't more people talk to their children about inclusion of those with disabilities? Do they not see my daughter and others like her as children of God too? Why is it so difficult when it really could be simple? She is simple. She doesn't ask for anything whatsoever. All that would be required is whatever they would give.
A lot of what I have heard is that people feel uncomfortable because they don't know what to say to someone who can't respond typically or that they are afraid of the autistic behaviors--such as personal space boundaries, etc. Let's be honest: sometimes it is awkward; sometimes it is weird. But who cares? EVERYONE has done awkward, strange things within their lifetime. It's just all piled together for years on end with Autism. All that really needs to happen is for people to recognize a disabled person's humanity and compassion and empathy would come. I just know it.
And you know what else? It really doesn't take that much effort to bring your group of friends over to sit with someone who doesn't comprehend much of what you're saying, laughs at all your jokes (even if they aren't very funny), and, to top it all off, you never have any risk of them gossiping about you behind your back because she doesn't know how. I would say that's a steal of a friend. A real bargain. A treasure beyond price.
This mother's heart cannot comprehend this at all.
related link:
Wanted: Awareness, Respect, Acceptance
Friends Share This With Friends
I was unprepared for the deluge of emotion that overcame me. Questions and tears. Disappointment. Wishing for so much more for this precious child of mine. I don't understand why no one would want to sit with her. She is sweet and kind. To be more specific, she truly knows no guile--only purely honest simplicity of heart and being. She can't talk much but if you just sit by her she'll tell you how pretty or cool your shirt is, give you a mini back rub, and work so hard to say something--anything. Why wouldn't someone who knows her from classes or church think to befriend her? Why wouldn't those individuals have an empathetic response? Would they like being alone at lunch time?
I think it begins at home. Why don't more people talk to their children about inclusion of those with disabilities? Do they not see my daughter and others like her as children of God too? Why is it so difficult when it really could be simple? She is simple. She doesn't ask for anything whatsoever. All that would be required is whatever they would give.
A lot of what I have heard is that people feel uncomfortable because they don't know what to say to someone who can't respond typically or that they are afraid of the autistic behaviors--such as personal space boundaries, etc. Let's be honest: sometimes it is awkward; sometimes it is weird. But who cares? EVERYONE has done awkward, strange things within their lifetime. It's just all piled together for years on end with Autism. All that really needs to happen is for people to recognize a disabled person's humanity and compassion and empathy would come. I just know it.
And you know what else? It really doesn't take that much effort to bring your group of friends over to sit with someone who doesn't comprehend much of what you're saying, laughs at all your jokes (even if they aren't very funny), and, to top it all off, you never have any risk of them gossiping about you behind your back because she doesn't know how. I would say that's a steal of a friend. A real bargain. A treasure beyond price.
This mother's heart cannot comprehend this at all.
related link:
Wanted: Awareness, Respect, Acceptance
Friends Share This With Friends
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