In Appreciation to a Special Father

by Cheryl Merrick

To a special father 

who shares with his children

his enthusiasm for life

as he leads them up

boulder strewn hills,

or takes them exploring 

the world one fun 

experiment at a time.

A father who

encourages them 

to savor both the flavors

of each dish created together,

and the sounds 

of good words read together.

Some People

by Cheryl Merrick
Some people feel that,
"Life is a banquet, and most
poor suckers are starving to death!"
They pack each moment with as much
"livin'" as possible for,
"There's music to play, places to go,
and people to see!"
Their parties are filled with good food,
and the laughter of many people.
These are the enjoyers of life.

Other choose the quiet path
"less traveled by".
Deeply breathing in the scent of fall,
they savor the soft crunch of leaves under foot
 and the distant call of birds,
as they walk along absorbed in contemplation.
These are those who search for the meaning of life.

Impressed

by Cheryl Merrick

When we met at college
I noted as you unselfishly
enabled the women on your co-ed
volleyball team to score.
You stood out from the other men 
who grabbed and pushed
as they sought to show off
their prowess.

I watched when you shared your car and skills
by giving people rides to the city
and by teaching a genealogy class.
So when you asked me out,
I enthusiastically said, "Yes!"

Desert Adjustment

by Cheryl Merrick

Seeing miles and miles of desert landscape
stretching out desolately before me,
I cringed.

Could I be happy here?
With a heart longing for 
refreshing green canyons,
cool rushing water,
and towering trees arching overhead,
I began my new life in the desert.

Now a year later,
my eyes are soothed 
by the many greens of the desert shrubs,
and my heart gladdened by the exquisite beauty
of even the tiniest desert flower.

Of Ants and Grasshoppers

by Cheryl Merrick

I am an Ant.
I work

I am a Grasshopper.
I play

I am an Ant.
I am responsible.
I make things.

The Perfectionist Wife

by Cheryl Merrick

Filled with anxious concerns
each day I queried,
"Have you read the scriptures?
"Did you pray today?"
My husband's terse, annoyed reply of, "No",
Escalated my fears.
"Would we be a forever family?"
My attempts at subtle encouragement
failing miserably,
I anguished over my husbands "failings".
Sure that our children would be corrupted
by their father's deficient example,
I despaired.

Half Empty or Half Full?

by Cheryl Merrick

Do I see the cup as half empty,
     Or half full?
Am I grateful for what I can do,
     Or am I resentful of my limitations?
Do I feel thankful for all the kind things
     My husband does for me,
     Or feel frustrated about what he doesn’t do?

Windows

by Cheryl Merrick

The library door closed. 
In desperation,
I opened a little used window
and found a new world 
awaiting me --

Waiting

by Cheryl Merrick

Til all my children
are happy
But would they grow
without challenges?
Til my health
is good
But would I trade 
all I have learned
for a life of ease?

Privilege

by Cheryl Merrick

To see a sunset
To smell bread baking
To taste an apple
To walk down a country lane
To sing Christmas carols
To hear a child laugh

More?

by Cheryl Merrick

Knowing I’m a daughter of God
Having true principles to guide me
Having a husband who loves me
Having four children, their spouses, & grandchildren
Having good friends & helpful neighbors

Gratitude Is

by Cheryl Merrick

When we see beyond our endless list of wants,
and marvel how bountifully our basic needs are met;
When we no longer squander our time and energies
in acquiring superfluous things,
but focus instead on eternal relationships;

Counting Blessings

by Cheryl Merrick

I smile enjoying the ability 
to move around my home
   putting something away in the loft
getting a book from my library
storing cards in the attic
and puttering at projects

Longing for Summer

by Cheryl Merrick

Sparkling crystal mornings
go unappreciated as dreams of summer
fill their minds.
Only to find the warmth of summer days 
lost in longings for cooler times.

Gratitude

by Cheryl Merrick

Appreciating what you have
when you have it

Gratitude is an Attitude

Appreciation

by Cheryl Merrick


Wishing for someone like ourselves,
but needing a complement 
to bring us wholeness,
we narrowly squint at our mate,
enumerating his “faults”.