# 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
© gratefulsue 2020
# 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
© 2020 gratefulsue
# 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
© gratefulsue 2020
# 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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
# 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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
(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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
# 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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
# 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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
(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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
# 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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue
# 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
(C) 2015 gratefulsue