Celebrate Life

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# Title

11—Home

10—It's okay to be both

9—Smoke can be good

8—My Birthdays

7—Everything Beautiful

6—in one week

5—The Years

4—Restored to us

3—Blessings

2—Summer Time

1—Life

# 11

Home

Soft as silk,

long and thick as Mom’s hair,

Grass bright as emeralds

sparkling in the sun like the lake in summer—

my wonderful yard

where a younger me would flop down

and stare at the sky or clouds.

Across the drive, another marvel—

the lone Cherry Tree stood proudly,

grand majesty attested to by

her resplendent pink crown

eliciting worship from passers-by

her servants busily buzzing around her crown.

I gave reverence from a safe distance.

Beside me stood my big, white fortress

impenetrable, comfortable, familiar, safe

where I was queen of all.

Mom – my foundation and right-hand servant

Sister – my confidant and instructor in life

my room – a quiet place to recharge

Dad, my inspiration –

even after he left us all.

Behind the fortress

beckoning

holding his breath

awaiting my presence

lived my best friend

the woods

Trees to be climbed and conquered

vines to be swung upon

forts to be built and defended

ravines to be run down and up

dams in the creek to be built

logs over it to be traversed

new plants to be discovered

poison ivy to be avoided.

Other friends lived in fortresses down the street

or, through the woods

or, at the end of the “emerald carpet”

they came and went.

My best friend never tired of me

but followed me through the years

to each new home.

Sometimes,

I just had to look a little harder to find him.

He still speaks to me and counsels me

consoles me

makes me smile

even when he is sleeping

in dead of winter.

I would tell you what he says throughout each year

why he reminds me of home

how he grounds me

or, helps me touch heaven

but, I can’t.

He doesn’t speak to me with words

and best friends don’t share their secrets anyway.

gratefulsue

3/21/20

# 10

It’s okay to be both

I am quite ordinary

and so are you.

A large rock sitting by the pond,

next to the grand oak,

weathering blistering sun or freezing rain,

a bench for someone to sit upon and rest.

I have some strengths, some regrets, some deep disappointments.

I am gifted and special

and so are you.

The grand oak on the edge of the pond,

beside the large rock,

providing shade from the blistering sun,

inspiring artists with my blazing colors,

perhaps even giving my wood to make the world a better place.

Ordinary and gifted.

It’s okay to be both.

gratefulsue

3.15.20

# 9

Smoke can be good

Time to investigate…

House on fire? —> Just get out!

Roast in the oven too long? —> Go to the rescue!

Burning off the fields? —> Replenish the soil.

Campfire burning? —> Enjoy hot dogs and S’mores!

Relationship in flames? —> Just get out!

Someone simmering mad? —> Go to the rescue!

Burning off bad habits? —> Replenish your soul.

Cozy night by the fire? —> Enjoy one another!

gratefulsue

11.2.19

# 8

My Birthdays

9/11

I must be really loved.

My birthday is a celebration, just because I was born.

I must be easily remembered.

My birthday is the number people call for help every day, in an emergency.

I must be comparatively unimportant.

My birthday is a national tragedy—2,977 innocents were murdered on it.

I must be easily forgotten.

Every year as I get older, only a handful even know that it’s my birthday.

I must be CRAZY to be thinking about this stuff!

Besides, my first birthday is nowhere near as important as my second birthday!

"... No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." ^1.

9/25

I must be really loved.

On my second birthday, God gave me a new life,and a new purpose. ^{2., 3.}

I must be easily remembered.

God knows my name and has written it in His book of life. ^{^4.}

I must be comparatively unimportant.

“God so loved the WORLD...” ^5. Not just me. God loves everybody.

I must be easily forgotten.

Oh wait, guess that’s wrong! People may forget, but God NEVER does. ^6.

I must be GRATEFUL to be thinking about this stuff!

The impact of my first birthday was changed and multiplied by my second birthday!

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ^7.

1. John 3:3

2. John 3:6, 2 Cor. 5:17

3. 2 Cor. 5:18-20

4. Revelation 3:5

5. John 3:16 (emphasis mine)

6. Hebrews 6:10

7. John 10:10 b

gratefulsue

8.28.15

# 7

Everything Beautiful

A choir, a solo.

Spring trees in flower!

These beautiful things,

Enthrall by the hour.

The orchestra.

A delightful play.

I love a musical

Every day!

Creative ideas.

Spontaneous fun.

Insightful poems.

Tall stories spun.

A loving friendship

That overflows,

Into priceless memories

And hearts aglow.

Healing words,

Joyous brass bands.

Kisses from family,

Help-filled hands.

Exquisite sunsets.

Walks in the woods.

I would hoard them for

Rainy days, if I could.

Gorgeous mountains

Of red, orange, gold.

Or, painted ones,

Once autumn unfolds.

Fine architecture, or

Landscape design.

Stained-glass windows,

Any artwork, sublime.

Movies which bring about

Laughter or tears—

Motivation to change

What is left of our years.

Singing birds,

And sparkling lakes.

Summer breezes,

Inspiration makes.

Bursting with color,

Wild flowers in June.

Fine instruments played,

Perfectly in tune.

All things artistic,

Executed with skill.

Well-composed photos

Which calm or thrill.

I know there are wonders

This writing has missed.

Too many to mention--

Not found on my list.

I am filled with awe

At amazing things—

Which the giver of all

Perfect gifts, freely brings. ^1.

Yes, I will delight in

Each wonderful thing...

For, everything beautiful

Makes my soul sing!

1. James 1:17

gratefulsue

6/30/15

(Inspired while out on a walk, admiring a neighbor's creatively designed grounds.)

# 6

in one week

watching

wastefulness

disappointments

by decades.

darkness.

rebuke

panic

waking up

witnessing

light

brokenness

confession

tenderness

compassion

healing

interest

empathy

re-focusing

reaching

others

abandoned

prayers, now

awesome

answers

surprise

stories

questions

reminiscing

listening

history

amazing

medical

methods

maneuvering

miracles

believing

trusting

fresh faith

receiving

God.

gratefulsue

10/7/14

# 5

The Years

Child:

culture, privilege,

family, fantasy…fortunate.

Youth:

impetuous, growing,

singing, sailing…obstinate.

Dance:

leaping, twirling,

choreography, mastering…fun.

Faith:

understanding, believing,

embracing, inspiring…life.

Adult:

explaining, sharing,

birthing, building…ministry.

Marriage:

looking, choosing,

following, teaming…moves.

Children:

loving, investing,

growing, changing…gifts.

Hope:

ambition, waiting,

trust, praying…quiet.

Time:

ticking, tricking,

shrinking, mocking…mist.

Trauma:

ambush, confusion,

losses, crosses…tests.

Rescue:

advocates, answers,

wounded walking…relief.

Miracle:

Blessings, compassion,

a slice of the action…grace.

Retirement:

Leaving, grieving,

Fussing, adjusting…weary.

Resurrection:

new dawn breaking,

new life creating…offering.

Finale:

watching, accepting,

serving, finishing, …surrender.

Death:

releasing, restoring,

communion, reunion…resolution.

gratefulsue

1/30/05

Revised 8/9/12

# 4

Restored to Us

Snatched from the path

toward Heaven’s door,

To bless our lives

on earth some more.

Angels sigh, but

loved ones smile—

God turned back the clock

on eternity’s dial.

Rewards must wait

but, I don’t care!

God saved your life

in answer to prayer!

gratefulsue

12/23/00

(For Terry B.)

# 3

Blessings

(a song)

Love, peace, patience,

joy in my heart.

All this and more

He promises at the start.

He gives us rainbows, blue skies,

the sunrise,

The seasons, so many reasons

to believe…

Laughter, good times,

friends kind and true,

Strength from His Word,

and courage to pursue.

He gives us rainbows, blue skies,

the sunrise,

The seasons, so many reasons

to believe…

Life everlasting,

Blessings untold,

A new city in

Heav'n, with streets of gold.

He gives us rainbows, blue skies,

the sunrise,

The seasons, so many reasons

to believe…

gratefulsue

1/25/80

# 2

Summer Time

(a song)

Evening haze, a fuzzy sun,

the world is like an old re-run.

It’s moving slow

and don’t you know

it’s summer time!

The air is thick—so still and hot.

It hangs around your favorite spot,

and that certain smell

you know so well

says it’s summer time!

What a relief from winter’s freezes,

you can enjoy warm and gentle breezes.

No more frozen toes

because, you know

it’s summer time!

Oh, that days could stay this way—

singin’ silly songs, drinkin’ lemonade.

You know my heart

rarely falls apart

when it’s summer time!

Let’s reminisce—o’er days of childhood bliss.

Let’s all get a tan, or else crowd a fan!

Oh, I pledge to surely

really love this pearly

old summer time!

gratefulsue

6/27/82

# 1

Life

Oh, what a gift…LIFE!

that which I could never earn,

a joy and thrill so precious,

able to give and love and learn!

To be alive is…SO GOOD!

even when the dark clouds come,

I still can count my blessings,

and know whose hand they’re from.

Oh Time, STAND STILL!

May I gather in one day,

joy and hope and peace to go

‘round the world, to be given away?

So often, life is a chore, or WORSE,

a “sentence to be served.”

Oh God, use me this day to show it

as a GOOD GIFT, underserved!

gratefulsue

2/1/89