Comfortable November

by Cheryl Merrick

The bright, busyness of summer
is over.
The dazzling colors of fall
are gone.
The harvest is in.
The leaves have fallen.
Trees stand gray-brown
against a muted sky.

Thanksgiving Is

by Cheryl Merrick

A time for remembering
all we have
Instead of bemoaning
what we don’t

Thanksgiving

by Cheryl Merrick

Not being the commercial heavy weight
of its December cousin,
    Thanksgiving gets pushed aside.

Even before its moment arrives,
     its leaves, pumpkins and corn stalks
     are replaced with wreathes and bells,

November

by Cheryl Merrick

A few tenacious leaves remain,
     Brown and withered,
      In a monotone world.

While the mountains quietly rust,
     and the evenings envelope the day,
     the holiday bustle begins.

Stillness

by Cheryl Merrick

Focusing on the beauty around me
my racing heart 
stills,
and my anxious mind 
calms.

Gazing upward
into the canopy of branches,
peace fills my soul. 

Windows

by Cheryl Merrick

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

Watched Over

by Cheryl Merrick

As we sped down the freeway 
in the pelting rain,
my heart filled with gratitude
that we had been watched over.

On Sunday we went for a walk a distance from our home.
On our way home we heard a thumping sound,

Walking With The Lion

by Cheryl Merrick

Feeling crowded by his presence,
We walk through the darkness,
Bemoaning our lack of freedom,
Until, in the light of day,
we behold the deep precipice,
and falling on our knees
in humility and gratitude,
give thanks for 
His loving protection. 

inspired by the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis

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 Quiet Blessings

by Cheryl Merrick

Knowing my life
is as it should be,
I am enveloped
in peace.

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

Beyond the Mark

by Cheryl Merrick

Looking beyond the mark
moments of beauty go unseen,
Gifts lie unappreciated,
 and opportunities to give and grow
are ignored,
Til finally only dull discontentment remains
to smother out all joy.

Attitude

by Cheryl Merrick

It doesn’t matter how much you
have or haven’t 
for it isn’t the amount which
brings happiness.

Appreciate

by Cheryl Merrick

Remembering that,

though I’m tired and ache,

It could always be far worse,

I pray to appreciate

all I have

for being able to move and see

to think and remember

to laugh and serve

for being alive

New Assignment

by Cheryl Merrick

Determined not to
give into a doubtful heart,
I begin my Church Service
Missionary assignment.

Cheerfully I open the
first feedback on LDS. org.
Filled with peace and surprise,
I exclaim, “I can answer that!”