The Enabler Revolts!

by Cheryl Merrick
I've had enough of "guilt trips"
  being used to control me. 

I'm tired of being told
  that if I don't meet everyone's needs,
  I'm a bad person.

I'm had enough of being told that 
  only evil, selfish people
  wouldn't want to live 
  just to make others "happy". 

Meeting Needs

by Cheryl Merrick
Yes, she is weak and incompetent,
but strength comes 
from facing hard things.

Yes, she is lonely,
but when you shut yourself
in your home,
refusing to reach out in love,
you cannot expect anything else.

Sacrifice

by Cheryl Merrick
Giving up something of lesser value
for something of greater value
is an expression of great wisdom
and ofttimes the offering 
of a loving heart.

Giving up something of greater value
for something of lesser value
is an exercise in stupidity 
which myopically reflects 
a self-absorbed life.

Is She More Loving?

by Cheryl Merrick
If she puts others' wants,
  before her needs?

If she constantly exhausts herself,
  because her family needs her?

If she neglects her health,
  because "there is simply too much to do"?

If she hovers over her children
  doing every little thing for them?

The Higher Road

by Cheryl Merrick
I stand at the fork in the road,
  as I have many times before.
Hesitating, 
  I gaze at my well trod path
  of sacrificing my life for others.
Once it seemed so noble.
Day after day I pushed myself,
  supposedly making others happy,
  till, reaching my end,
  I collapsed in bed,
  unable to move.

I'm Here At Last!

by Cheryl Merrick
Though, it has taken six months; 
the fog has finally lifted.
The constant, crushing fatigue is abating.
No longer am I stumbling around:
dopy, confused, and jittery.

Relishing the ability to think, 
 remember, see, and move; 
 I care for myself.
Hopeful that my hard earned
 ability to make competent decisions
 will ensure continued health;
 I face each day. 

They May Never Know

by Cheryl Merrick

Thanking me, 

the widows express appreciation

for my remembering them.

I smile, 

knowing that they may never know

how much I also need their friendship

and long for the support 

of mothers and sisters.