Gazing at Old Photos

by Cheryl Merrick

Seeing my younger self,
I remember when life

stretched endlessly before me

so full of possibilities. 

Filled with sparkling optimism,

I faced forward gazing

into the vastness of my future.

Now, fifty years have passed.

With knowing eyes,

I look back at my younger self

and smile. 

Day Dance

By Cheryl Merrick

Filled with awareness,
my day dance begins

Stillness and Motion

Inside and Outside

Thinking and Doing

Self and Others

Creating and Maintaining

Active and Reflective

Being and Connecting

Feeling and Sensing

Dreams and Projects

Hopes and Goals

All That Really Matters

By Cheryl Merrick

Though I can no longer hike,
I have fun on my electric bike.

Though I can no longer sing or dance,

I am still enchanted by music.

Though my eyes tire quickly,

the words others read to me

nourish my soul.

Though I do not have the energy to travel,

I enjoy our home area and others' trips.

Though I exhaust quickly with household chores,

I delight in the time I have to create.

Though I stumble in this world of reality,

I soar in the realm of imagination.

To my husband on our 49th Valentine's Day by Cheryl Merrick

You are my safe                     shelter from storms

 You are the quiet peace            of a desert landscape

You are the sun breaking               through the clouds

You're the comforting warmth                 of a fire on a rainy day

You are the dependability of               waves returning to the shore

You are the routines which                 provide structure to my life

You are "the listening ear" and the     "caring" heart which supports me

You are the sunshine of hope when my parade has been rained upon

You are the one who knows me better than anyone else and still loves me

You are "the listening ear" and the "caring" heart which supports me

You are the financial manager who makes sure the bills are paid

You are the person who makes sure the little details get done

You are the "Jack-of-all-trades" who keeps our home repaired

You are my best admirer and most enthusiastic cheerleader

You are the "voice of reason" keeping me tethered to reality

You are the implementer who makes my dreams come true

You are my associate in championing the true and good

You are the supplier of the qualities and skills that I lack

You are the "rocks" which fill the "holes" in my head

You are the rock which anchors me in the present

You are my "patron" supporting me as I create

You are the assurance which quiets my fears

You are the one I've chosen above all others

You are my advisor who keeps me balanced

You are my partner and best friend

You are my love and 

I am yours