How did it happen?

by Cheryl Merrick

When did I become overstressed?
How did it happen?
Was it in all the hours I held
     my colicly newborn grandson?
Was it when I moved our things 
     out into the garage,
     so we could paint our home?
Did it happen during all those summer 
     months living in our garage?

Empty Bucket/ Refilling

by Cheryl Merrick

Regretfully, 
I gaze into my nearly empty bucket
realizing, 
in my eagerness to help others,
I've forgotten that buckets
must be refilled.

The Higher Road

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

As Intended

by Cheryl Merrick

I saw myself as weak,
abnormal, and defective,
when I couldn't do all
I felt was expected of me.

Now, seeing more clearly,
I realize that The Lord
has given me the gift of empathy.

As I denied this gift,
I pushed myself beyond my limits,
destroying my health.

It is time to finally accept who I am,
and, with realistic expectations,
become the light
I was intended to be.

Pacing

by Cheryl Merrick

After listening to Conference*
I know I need to change.
I am a creative person
who doesn’t enjoy structure.
Consequently,
I do what I feel like
then find undone
what I really wanted,
or needed to do.

Settling

by Cheryl Merrick

Faster and faster my thoughts spin;
     so much to do,
     so much unfinished -
Where do I begin?

With heart yearning to support;
     a friend who’s son died in a car accident,
     a teacher under going cancer treatments,
     a young unwed mother and child,
     a woman with teenagers,
     the high school music program,
     the stake newspaper,
     and local politics,
I stretch further and further.

Beyond the Mark

by Cheryl Merrick

Setting goals for scripture reading-

in chapters instead of in change,

I am so anxious to accomplish

that I forget to allow time for

my spirit to savor the message.