tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79132189494031452362024-03-18T20:32:03.198-07:00Sherry's StoriesStories of my life and record of my thoughts done in poetic form.
Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.comBlogger741125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-4341866284063492962023-01-23T09:36:00.003-08:002023-01-23T09:42:40.870-08:00Thoughts<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwflU797xXy9COORH6LIEYzfoyoOLt6SCZFjsW2JkHQXDKumPEqKgyq9M2G0-KB7rfk6cMMR4B-Gsk5KRH_bP9y3BblwJ4nIdwWz8jB3_vDo7Q6e8gTFvCENLsDhVnvYNrCvl0Jri0NVhfr0nP2jOw4q6vvmFj6Ox4SveZJAL2W0BgdYA_gGHLkckXQ/s4032/IMG_1786.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="4032" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwflU797xXy9COORH6LIEYzfoyoOLt6SCZFjsW2JkHQXDKumPEqKgyq9M2G0-KB7rfk6cMMR4B-Gsk5KRH_bP9y3BblwJ4nIdwWz8jB3_vDo7Q6e8gTFvCENLsDhVnvYNrCvl0Jri0NVhfr0nP2jOw4q6vvmFj6Ox4SveZJAL2W0BgdYA_gGHLkckXQ/s320/IMG_1786.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ideas come like Bubbles floating past which must be gently appreciated before they disappear</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Confidence comes from experience</span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I simply state the obvious but God has given me the gift to state it beautifully</span></div></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-31490230603623295072022-09-14T08:15:00.004-07:002022-09-14T08:57:05.705-07:00The Thinker<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYBzb0Mesx4lG_pY7PQY_Nb2w141TAHegdxi1uFwd4FEv_Kpw6o1d35H1H_3dSN8i9ZyPkTWYlkqnUKuvn7UfLBL7x6Au615rJJqWxHpQb1lmHKfF2k7hMwzmv4zaQlPoV5-32f8JB5c5LjIUiYq_nGU6xb0EvyyMDVGMKWHE7UTHD-jY3NpJaVIZtw/s4032/IMG_3275.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYBzb0Mesx4lG_pY7PQY_Nb2w141TAHegdxi1uFwd4FEv_Kpw6o1d35H1H_3dSN8i9ZyPkTWYlkqnUKuvn7UfLBL7x6Au615rJJqWxHpQb1lmHKfF2k7hMwzmv4zaQlPoV5-32f8JB5c5LjIUiYq_nGU6xb0EvyyMDVGMKWHE7UTHD-jY3NpJaVIZtw/s320/IMG_3275.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />by Cheryl Merrick </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">Using my "subconscious"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"> consciously,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">my experiences are arranged,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"> in a blink of an eye,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"> into relationships,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">so that amazing patterns emerge</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">and profound meaning is revealed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">In the busy quiet of my mind,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">feelings become dependable predictions,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">and impressions solidify into principles,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">so that, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">through the clear pure light of inspiration,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">wise decisions can be made. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">I wrote this when I had collapsed, again, and I was trying to explain to my husband how essential alone time is to my well being as a strong intuitive thinker (INFJ type). </span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-1352285842654915212022-03-09T11:01:00.003-08:002022-03-09T15:48:26.598-08:00With You<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJhxgyNG53Ps9sjewEde1-ZR12wNxbMNCoH1vcJUVNOWgRtNF8ZFypdAy5ihE78QX0mjK1EGWrIPfYnjL_hTl0WrBEqvdvSF0ZsyevaBsRvIk8yp49Xc9FD9yJ03Z-qSYY-mJcvJbpFkgj_Em3TlcnJtGA0SQiPmpkHPrzEkcMKv_-l9aEvpZOyLA_fA=s1280" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJhxgyNG53Ps9sjewEde1-ZR12wNxbMNCoH1vcJUVNOWgRtNF8ZFypdAy5ihE78QX0mjK1EGWrIPfYnjL_hTl0WrBEqvdvSF0ZsyevaBsRvIk8yp49Xc9FD9yJ03Z-qSYY-mJcvJbpFkgj_Em3TlcnJtGA0SQiPmpkHPrzEkcMKv_-l9aEvpZOyLA_fA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span><br />With you, my love,<br /></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">nothing seems impossible<br /></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">as we walk with God.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Together, Change can be fun,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Challenge is an adventure,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Disappointments are only temporary,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Projects are doable,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">and all things become </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">opportunities for growth. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">My husband and I are at Valley of Fire in Nevada. Our first outing since I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.</span></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-75704390205619550042022-03-01T15:22:00.003-08:002022-03-02T16:07:19.150-08:00How did I go in less than two weeks from wheelchair to hiking?<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-13bBFhAQKwC6DUkKt8hWHbO6F-6g9tvsIuZv4n_55yEMZrhGcWuRU09ggoiZs07BZI80FqOBamPa7NnJ7DttYNh-FBs1iX7yYdXMQ_bt9xgfdXOgWL8LkAVAlCb3a9Br02_wBwSKM0-SrZZjWOokhJV1I6rnhqKx9s1qEYyQnOxBHK3g1NwX0rzN6w=s640" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-13bBFhAQKwC6DUkKt8hWHbO6F-6g9tvsIuZv4n_55yEMZrhGcWuRU09ggoiZs07BZI80FqOBamPa7NnJ7DttYNh-FBs1iX7yYdXMQ_bt9xgfdXOgWL8LkAVAlCb3a9Br02_wBwSKM0-SrZZjWOokhJV1I6rnhqKx9s1qEYyQnOxBHK3g1NwX0rzN6w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Struggling with exhaustion,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I came to a point where<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I could no longer read<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">and could barely walk.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Knowing my life depended </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">on my being able to take</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my cancer medication,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I prayed to know</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">what I could do</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">to continue taking it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anticipating a blessing of strength,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I sat stunned </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by my answer</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">to remove everything </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">which makes me ill</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">from my living environment.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Overwhelmed, I cried.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The only thing </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that I don't react allergically to </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">are</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">our all cotton clothes and bedding,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">our metal furniture, and our glass dishes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Day after day,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">while fearing that my husband's</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">patience would soon reach its end,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I carried our books and many other things</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">out to our baby blue garage family room,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">while my husband supportively moved out</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">his recliner, treadmill, handmade cabinet,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">bookshelves, file cabinet, and computer. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As our things found new places</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">out in our family room,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">our home became more simple, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and easier to keep the dust out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Also my energy steadily increased,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and soon I knew that I could take </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">a day trip and even hike --</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">which I did. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Hiking a mile at Valley of Fire in Nevada</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /><br /></p>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-67450032890059119232022-02-12T11:57:00.003-08:002022-02-12T14:00:30.632-08:00Rewriting My Life- a Year with Cancer<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUp6YbetlmEbijxwCwSg43E0YtaQV11P3tktrpX4P4WT975hUJzdPRMhL_65HP8Eh9pyeuag-z-ssTVx6yysfLt3jmp3ugl0SlX7TTnr7UoV7mTdBqE_TN0kVKbJ81fe-gWJgOL1amjE9DrFsfccFt_QmBuNA4aYfkJnXa-AJTBiEGCw7_ZgFxaFAg2w=s1280" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUp6YbetlmEbijxwCwSg43E0YtaQV11P3tktrpX4P4WT975hUJzdPRMhL_65HP8Eh9pyeuag-z-ssTVx6yysfLt3jmp3ugl0SlX7TTnr7UoV7mTdBqE_TN0kVKbJ81fe-gWJgOL1amjE9DrFsfccFt_QmBuNA4aYfkJnXa-AJTBiEGCw7_ZgFxaFAg2w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Promising what was not mine to give,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I assured my preschool granddaughter</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">that I would be at her wedding someday,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">till on my seventy first birthday,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I learned that I had cancer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">As I was given just three months to live,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">all my dreams of spending the next</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">twenty years with my family,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">dissolved as my tears washed away</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">my "script" for my life,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">preparing me for a new and better "script".</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">When my granddaughter drew pictures for me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">sharing her anticipated life,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and as I saw the sorrow in my husband's eyes,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I was filled with longing to be with my family,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and I cried some more.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">My mortality hit hard as I remembered </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">my four cousins who had died recently,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">my uncle, brother-in-law, and step-father </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">who had died the year previous,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and my brother who had died</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">just four months before.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Then, drying my tears and </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">putting my trust in God's assurance</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">that I was being given a chance to heal,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I began to work.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I had four chemo treatments,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">which though it put me into </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">anaphylactic shock three times,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">made my hair fall out, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and made me nauseous and tired,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">it also stopped the painful ascites swelling, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and killed most of the cancer cells</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">with the remaining cancerous tumors </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">being removed during my hysterectomy surgery.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Now, though my cancer is in remission,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I must take medication </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to keep the cancer from returning,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">which, since I have the BRCA2 gene mutation,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">my body is unable to do.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">As my "script" has been rewritten,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I feel grateful for all the miracles </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I've experienced </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">as my body has healed,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">but even more for the healing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">of my heart and family relationships.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though more difficult, dramatic, and perhaps shorter,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">than my comfortable planned "script" for my life,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">this last year has taught me to trust </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">my "Author" </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to make my story truly</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"> great.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-74275378123275508512022-02-11T10:40:00.002-08:002022-02-12T14:10:15.203-08:00Valentine<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Sseua62EO4zNEQ-e1yOUqmzA1C7vcSlAPjesZZTya36fGzl2SvL0rhNMmszuKlJqaYWFHI0kvOYlpz6YrD65z3RdEr6h32dQKIEjd4ixmXQmCTd-bli6Lmhr2K4pbiInJueipv9O9lskcg28ILcLno8wveUmMW5tC6_SUYoWXTloWYcmXibqn_euhw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Sseua62EO4zNEQ-e1yOUqmzA1C7vcSlAPjesZZTya36fGzl2SvL0rhNMmszuKlJqaYWFHI0kvOYlpz6YrD65z3RdEr6h32dQKIEjd4ixmXQmCTd-bli6Lmhr2K4pbiInJueipv9O9lskcg28ILcLno8wveUmMW5tC6_SUYoWXTloWYcmXibqn_euhw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Delicate cards made from</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">lacy romantic hopes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">slowly lose their fragileness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">as years of sharing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">supporting and growing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">temper our love into</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">something strong enough </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">to withstand even the gales</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">of catastrophic illness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">and endure forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Dancing Script;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Written during our 50th year of marriage after a year fighting stage 3 ovarian cancer which is now in remission. </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><br /></span></p>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-80476780039158839492021-08-08T10:49:00.002-07:002021-08-08T10:52:16.801-07:00Living from the Inside Out<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Tapping from deep within,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I feel a warmth, a peace,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">a surety </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">of what is right,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">true, and real forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I sense a knowledge of</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">what is right for me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to do at that moment.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">This is a strength</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">which can not come</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">from "to-do" lists,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">or from other's opinions,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">but comes from within me,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">like a bell that rings true. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">It is my anchor to truth,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to the great "big picture",</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to what was, is, and will be.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">It is more than an emotional feeling.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">It is more than reasoned logic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">It is a knowing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">that comes from deep within</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">as I listen to the Spirit</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and allow myself to live </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">from the inside out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-73882647624870533022021-06-07T17:01:00.008-07:002021-06-09T16:16:33.317-07:00A Poet's View of the World<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh, the noise, noise, noise!*</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can they live in a cacophony of noise,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">where energized by interteraction,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">they stand too close and speak too loud</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">as their conversation dissolves into a jumble of sound?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can they breathe smothered in suffocating perfumes,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and the overwhelming odors of foods?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can they withstand the constant assault</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">of beeps, dings, and alerts?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a world constantly moving, how can they endure</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">the dizzying blur of shapes rushing in upon them?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I can not. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">See "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr Seuss another quiet, creative person who identified with the Grinch</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-57159008632125738312021-06-06T15:54:00.002-07:002021-06-06T15:59:52.458-07:00A Poet's Life<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">In a place where time has no meaning,<br /></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">free from the constraints of our finite world,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">where possibilities are endless,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">my spirit soars</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">warmed by the light of truth,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">experiencing the meaning of patterns below,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">creating beauty, I rise into</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Dancing Script;">the hope of the Son.</span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-10537898477540406122021-03-17T10:45:00.002-07:002021-06-07T15:20:04.919-07:00Walking in Strength<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXqGGBH-cHhqtpuuCjzdfCAHR09dH7cyg-Cex9Y26D_Dh-uNrhGeZQxkUy_AQTY1Hpgqa8fdI8iOZaYNF8aol0o9kavYCU9YUTbJ9F_CTze5gW3-vGd9Fyk8ghpTwdc7fSb5EOMQeVQNq/s640/IMG_0049.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXqGGBH-cHhqtpuuCjzdfCAHR09dH7cyg-Cex9Y26D_Dh-uNrhGeZQxkUy_AQTY1Hpgqa8fdI8iOZaYNF8aol0o9kavYCU9YUTbJ9F_CTze5gW3-vGd9Fyk8ghpTwdc7fSb5EOMQeVQNq/s320/IMG_0049.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span><br />Amid confusion,<br /></span><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">lost in anger,<br /></span><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">hobbled by fears,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">a pure note is found.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">Joined by others</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">a song warms my heart</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">filling it with hope and love.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">Peace and purpose</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">now guide my </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">carefully taken steps.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">Balancing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">my needs and others,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">thought and action,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">my soul is nourished.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">Til at last, I walk in strength,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">my light held high,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #09b5b2; font-family: arial;">my errand to fulfill. </span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-44638919168033846222021-02-26T09:05:00.002-08:002021-02-26T09:07:23.767-08:00Gazing at Old Photos<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Seeing my younger self,<br /></span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">I remember when life</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">stretched endlessly before me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">so full of possibilities. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Filled with sparkling optimism,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">I faced forward gazing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">into the vastness of my future.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Now, fifty years have passed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">With knowing eyes,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">I look back at my younger self</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">and smile. <span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">The years have been good,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">but far harder than</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">I ever could have imagined. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">In these years, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">full of heartaches and joys,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">my faith has been tested,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">my talents honed,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">and my love has grown.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">With hope I still look forward,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">but with an awareness that </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">my time here </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">is no longer "endless",</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">and wonder what more I can do.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Is there someone I can help?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Are there things I yet need to do?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">So many I've known are gone now -</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">grandparents, uncles and aunts,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">cousins, parents, and brothers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">There is an emptiness in my life</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">that they once filled.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">I'll continue longing for them</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">until I join them on the other side</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">where eternity will truly </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">stretch before me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">full of sparkling possibilities. </span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-82809875946803005462021-02-24T09:24:00.004-08:002021-02-24T09:30:07.931-08:00Day Dance<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">By Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Filled with awareness,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">my day dance begins</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Stillness and Motion</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Inside and Outside</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Thinking and Doing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Self and Others</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Creating and Maintaining</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Active and Reflective</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Being and Connecting</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Feeling and Sensing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Dreams and Projects</span></div><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Hopes and Goals<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Experiencing</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> and Analyzing</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Nature and Technology</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Experiments and Accomplishments</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Deciding and Researching</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Focusing and Gazing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Determined and Open-minded</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Receptive and Resolute</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Faith in action</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Stillness in motion</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Principles applied</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Dreams realized</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">I dance through my day</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">spirit and body</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">mind and heart </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">merging to create</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">the music of my soul</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-84631390748055962922021-02-23T10:31:00.002-08:002021-02-23T12:12:47.497-08:00All That Really Matters<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">By Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I can no longer hike,<br /></span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I have fun on my electric bike.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I can no longer sing or dance,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I am still enchanted by music.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though my eyes tire quickly,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">the words </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">others read to me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">nourish my soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I do not have the energy to travel,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I enjoy our home area </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and others' trips.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I exhaust quickly with household chores,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I delight in the time I have to create.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I stumble in this world of reality,</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I soar in the realm of imagination.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I cannot bustle through my day,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I actually prefer the quiet, thoughtful life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I cannot join others in socials,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I instead relate deeply and individually.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though there are many things I cannot do,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I can learn, grow, love, and serve. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though I cannot do all some expect,</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I can do all that really matters to me.</span></div></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-32063970548883887332021-02-14T13:42:00.001-08:002022-02-11T10:12:54.244-08:00To my husband on our 49th Valentine's Day by Cheryl Merrick<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my safe shelter from storms</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the quiet peace of a desert landscape</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the sun breaking through the clouds</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You're the comforting warmth of a fire on a rainy day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the dependability</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"> of waves returning to the shore</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the routines</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"> which provide structure to my life</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are "the listening ear" and the "caring" heart which supports me</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the sunshine of hope when my parade has been rained upon</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the one who knows me better than anyone else and still loves me</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are "the listening ear" and the "caring" heart which supports me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the financial manager who makes sure the bills are paid</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the person who makes sure the little details get done</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the "Jack-of-all-trades" who keeps our home repaired</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my best admirer and most enthusiastic </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">cheerleader</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the "voice of reason" keeping me tethered</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"> to reality</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the implementer who makes my dreams come true</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my associate in championing the true and good</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the supplier of the qualities and skills that I lack</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the "rocks" which fill the "holes" in my head</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the rock which anchors me in the present</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my "patron" supporting me as I create</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the assurance which quiets my fears</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are the one I've chosen above all others</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my advisor who keeps me balanced</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my partner and best friend</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">You are my love and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;">I am yours</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-57909775753596076882021-01-27T15:58:00.009-08:002021-08-08T10:50:55.419-07:00No Reflection<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">I make a comment<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">and the room suddenly quiets.<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">After an awkward moment,<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">all resumes as before.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">I mention I write,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">again the embarrassed silence,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">followed by a change of subject.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">Could I really </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">think so differently</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">that others have </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">no idea </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">how to </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">respond to me?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">Sharing my talent,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">I watch as others shrink away,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">uncomfortable by </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">the unfamiliar,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">so that I see </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">no reflection </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">of me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;">in their eyes.</span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-7746730086153818692021-01-21T11:48:00.001-08:002021-01-21T18:51:24.129-08:00Inauguration Reflections <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Like a refreshing breeze</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">over a parched land,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">peace soothes my soul</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">and hope lights my way.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Words of faith, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Acts of service, and</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Inclusion of blacks and women,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">assure me that our</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">needs will be addressed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Feeling the warmth of relationships</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">between people of different races</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">and between different political parties,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">all u</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">nited in love and hope</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">proclaim that </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Healing has begun.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">My thoughts after the 2021 Inauguration of President Biden</span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-33806189449749568782021-01-19T10:09:00.002-08:002021-01-21T18:52:43.195-08:00A Time for Healing <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Now is a time for healing - for uniting</span></span></div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">A time to remember our shared heritage</div><div style="text-align: center;">and to cherish and protect our differences</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Now is a time to put aside political </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">squabbles</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">and remember the democratic ideals</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">upon which our nation is founded</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now is the time to still our cries of </span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">injustice</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">and stand behind our new President</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">so that we can move forward with hope</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Now is the time to pledge our best efforts</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">into making "The American Experiment"</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">a beacon of liberty in a dark world</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Now is the time to prayerfully, and humbly,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">remember, and live, so that we can truly be</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">one nation united under God <span><a name='more'></a></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">note: I do not view "under God" to mean under </span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Christianity.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">All great religions believe in God.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">There is only one God,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">though He may be seen in many ways</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">and called by many names.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-8470280873121191722021-01-01T09:49:00.001-08:002021-01-01T10:22:03.124-08:00A New Year 2021<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Many are rejoicing today</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">hoping that the New Year</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">will bring an end </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">to their pandemic woes,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">and that the mere turning</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">of a calendar page</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">can bring a return </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">to our old "normal" life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">During this past year </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">some </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">have lost family members,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">and we have all felt the longing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">to be with those we love</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">and just give them a hug.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Our aching hearts </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">have reminded us</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">of the central place</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">our family members</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">hold in our lives. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Do we really want </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">to return to our old "normal"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">where we sacrifice our relationships</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">in our all consuming pursuit </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">of wealth and prestige?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">May we make this truly a new year</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">where we become new;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">where we become a </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">different, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">better, more loving person.</span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-75890382383256825532020-12-30T11:52:00.003-08:002020-12-30T11:54:26.151-08:00What I choose<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do I value<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">the popular and conventional</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">or the uniquely beautiful?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do I follow social customs</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">or true principles?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Am I content to stay as I am</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">or do I have a drive to reach higher?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do I believe that "it can't be done"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">or that "the impossible only </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">takes a little longer"?<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do I accept the status </span></span><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">quo</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or constantly question it?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Is my mind placidly accepting</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or racing to find possible solutions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I live among cluttered knick knacks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or in elegant simplicity?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I stick with the "tried and true"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or venture into the unknown?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I follow the beaten path</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or bravely blaze a new trail </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">for others to follow?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I seek recipes and models</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or create my own designs?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I dwell in the past</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or anticipate the future?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Am I content to </span><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">stay as I am</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or am I ever striving </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">to learn and grow? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Would I rather follow others</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or inspire them to be better?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I accept the present "reality"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or try to make it into what it could be?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I just live for today</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or with hope for brighter tomorrows?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Do I see only the physical world</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or savor the nuances of the spiritual?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">Am I content to just be as I am</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">or do I strive to become like </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">my Heavenly Father. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;">What do you think?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00e5ff; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-16813831965898690592020-12-30T10:49:00.002-08:002020-12-30T14:31:16.971-08:00Who I Am<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Am I a wife who spends </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">her time and energies</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">endlessly waiting on "her man"?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">No, but I do endlessly </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">give</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">support and encouragement.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Am I a mom who hovers </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">over my children </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">always "caring" for them? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Not really, but I am always there</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to cheer them on as they</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">learn to solve their problems.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Am I a permissive grandmother</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">ever spoiling my grandchildren?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">No, but I'll be there</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to teach </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">them and show them</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">how to live and be happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Am I the "sweet" helpful neighbor</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">ever ready with sympathy and cookies?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Actually, I'm not,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">for though </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I feel deep compassion</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">it never obscures my view of your</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">immense potential. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Am I a friend who is always there</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to take "your side" against the world?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">No, but I am willing to risk our relationship</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">by gently telling you the truth </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">so you can grow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Am I a person who has faith in you;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">whose love will always be there;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and who will always encourage you</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to become the best you can be?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Yes, that's who I am. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-55462337705749920052020-12-30T10:13:00.001-08:002020-12-30T11:55:22.938-08:00Winter Night<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">Moon- full disk of glowing light<br />high in the winter sky</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br />Trees- dark silhouettes<br />trailing shadows behind them</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br />Stars- distant points of light<br />punctuating the velvet expanse</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">As winter's intense stillness</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;">enfolds the night in beauty</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Thoughts on a full moon in December</span></div><p></p>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-81485629870218591622020-12-23T12:03:00.000-08:002020-12-23T15:44:20.218-08:00Christmas 2020<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This year Christmas</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">i</span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">s different.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">The normal holiday bustle</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">has slowed to more of an amble.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">The social frenzy has fizzled,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">and our myopic focus on </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">finding "the perfect gift"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">has enlarged, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">as </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">realizing </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">how important</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">our families are to us,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">we are filled with a longing </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">to just be with them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">Facing a pandemic, death of loved ones,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">unemployment, and civil unrest</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">has made us more</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">aware of our vulnerabilities</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">and grateful that </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">our Savior </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">came to earth </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">to show us how to live</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial;">and to give us hope.</span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-20663010281238855292020-12-22T11:02:00.003-08:002020-12-22T12:09:09.233-08:00Not Alone<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Silence hangs over my home</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">like a crushing weight</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">pressing in upon me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Fighting the quiet,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I try to fill it </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">with my words</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">as I remember all our</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">pleasant conversations,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">but my speech only </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">echos </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">off the hard stillness. <span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">There is an emptiness</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">that can be felt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">which intensifies</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">as the evening falls.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">In the darkness,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I now startle at "strange" sounds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Reprimanding</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"> my imagination,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I long for the comfort and security</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">your presence once gave me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">In these moments,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I struggle to remind myself </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">that </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">our covenants bind me, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">not only to you,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">but to God </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">for all eternity. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">Though you </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">have stepped </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">first </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">through the veil,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">I am not alone</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">for the Lord is with me </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">each moment,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">sustaining me,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">and giving me the strength</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;">to continue on. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-24307647738202308182020-12-21T11:06:00.001-08:002020-12-21T11:09:04.260-08:00Time to Say Goodbye<p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> by Cheryl Merrick</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">It is time for us </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">to say goodbye</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">to a humble, loving man.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Desiring to be with your family,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">you have bravely suffered</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">pain, treatments, and therapy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">The last 20 years have passed too quickly,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">as you have </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">fought to remain here</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">continually giving</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"> us </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">your love and support.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Even near the end</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">your thoughts were of your family.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">Aware that your failing body</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">could not keep going much longer,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">you spared your family</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">the anguishing decision</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">of when to withdraw</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">life-sustaining support.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">By your actions</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">letting us know</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">that we must accept,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">as you have,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">that it is time for us</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">to say Goodbye.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">One again leading us</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">with the assurance </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">that you will be there to greet us</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">when, someday, we too return home.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7913218949403145236.post-19027392550428925192020-12-18T10:44:00.002-08:002020-12-18T10:46:24.777-08:00Succumbing to the Expected<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">by Cheryl Merrick</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Accepting both my doom and my duty,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I plodded through my day</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">doing what is expected of me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Diligently trying to meet</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">others mundane needs and wants,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I unwisely accepted the judgement </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">that while their gifts are useful</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">mine are merely frivolous.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is how, conceding to the expected,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my sparkling creative light</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">was carefully hidden and nearly forgotten</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">under a smothering, dark basket.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">I wrote this in December of 2019, but never posted it. Since then, I have continued to largely suppress my creative talents allowing endless details to consume my time and energies, so I posted this now to remind me to change my ways. </span></div>Cheryl Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927870036749660372noreply@blogger.com0