I am Grateful for…by Nicole

 

 

Understanding the hardest things in life

are the things worth saying

 

In the stillness of the midnight

As I reach for the moon and the stars

Collecting my blessings

I realize each blessing is a memory

of a selection of images

 

I am grateful for…

Knowing these images protect me

like a soft autumn night glow

On these autumn nights when the wind is

against my back

Hearing every drumbeat of my heart

I appreciate my heart is my compass

 

I am grateful for…

Realizing some nights can be unremarkable

While searching for

the light that shields my shadow

Before I see the light

I realize my shadow cannot exist

without the light

I must permit my heart to allow

the light to shine

 

I am grateful for…

Watching the night rain descend

Seeing the dawn mounting

As I observe the beautiful sun rising

from every mountaintop

 

I am grateful and happy to see

Above it all

“The Fire Inside Still Burns”

A Forgotten Cane by Darryl

“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.” - Simone Biles - Leader, Advocate, Champion

I find the quote applicable because I am in the process of moving. When I shouted out to the movers as they were leaving for the day that someone had left his cane, the lead mover shouted back at me over his shoulder, “We found it in your house.”

When I stopped and thought about it, why would a mover need a cane?

The cane was mine.

When I awoke 10 years ago from a week-long medically-induced coma after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, I was initially wheelchair-bound. My right side was weak, but with superb inpatient physical therapy at NRH, I was able to walk with a four-point cane. The cane the movers found was a one-point cane, so I had made progress. Now, for many years, I have been able to walk without a cane - so it was in the back of my closet - and I had forgotten about it.

So, I set the cane in a special place, to remind me how far I had come, with God’s grace.

Read more about Simone Biles's many accomplishments and her Wheaties box here!

Aphasia - Our Rainbow from Behind the Cloud by Nicole

                                                                          

As Aphasia evolves from behind the cloud  Showing her beautiful rainbow where she stands so proud We gently bind to her side Waiting patiently for her light to guide When we do not know which road to cross each day  Fleeing under the north wind that summons us away Hoping our healing will be embraced As Aphasia puts our sweetest moments in place Aphasia understands the peaks and valleys of our path  She also understands our aftermath When our soul gets weary knowing our shine is not bright Aphasia graciously moves us into her sight As we go searching for our premiere Waiting for our words to appear Aphasia gives us the wisdom to show our glow Elegantly allowing our words to flow Our stillness comes in many forms  Some may think this is not the norm But when Aphasia whispers in our ear We know all is well now that she is here  Aphasia Our Beautiful Rainbow

 

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose

Love Letter to Nature

With bated breath, waiting in the shadows 

for our special Rose to appear 

Waiting in anticipation for our Rose to evolve 

from birth to full bloom 

We are anxious to observe the beauty of her petals 

Not knowing what the Spring season will bring 

We are mesmerized by the love that she shares 

Even if it is just for a moment 

As we go from one station of life to the next

Our Rose reminds us that love of life 

is carried by the weight of one petal 

As she allows her bright light to shine 

Watching our Rose change her form like energy 

Each one of her petals gently show us, step by step, 

how to grab on to the love of life… 

and never let it go 

As our Rose show us how to slow dance through life 

inhaling and exhaling her beauty 

As she shows us how to reach for joy 

With the hope of promise for a new day 

Let us take a breath and 

Spring Forward

 

 

What the Heart Wants by Nicole

 

                                               Floating from Heart to Heart 

the heart wants to give love and receive love in return

 

Bearing witness to each heart 

Hearts intertwined with each other 

Your heart is your strength and armor

 

On the days your heart leaps for joy   

and takes you to that happy place 

delicately show your heart how much you adore her

 

Remember the sparks of love your heart brings into your life 

As your heart loves you more and more each day 

she gracefully reminds you to love yourself

  

When your heart is broken by a heartbreak 

find the strength to replenish your heart with love 

Your heart will show you how to take on the weight of forgiveness

 

Remember the hallmarks of your heart that have been so kind 

and brings such peace beyond all measures

Allow your heart to go forward and bend towards the light

 

The heart knows what the heart wants

And that is to love and to receive love in return

Reflections; Allow the Healing Waters to Flow by Nicole

 

Reflections

Allow the Healing Waters to Flow

 

As you blossom into 2022

Bringing hope and courage into each day

Guide your feet in a peaceful way

Allow the healing waters to flow

 

As you release the old and bring in the new

See the bright lights in your shine

This is a season of recovery, you will fine

Allow the healing waters to flow

 

If you feel lost and broken down

Not knowing what the future holds

Unwrap your entire heart, and let your story be told

Allow the healing waters to flow

 

As you look deep into your better self

Know that lowering expectations is not the way

Turn your midnight into day

Allow the healing waters to flow

  

As you enter the cusp of a brand-new year

Don’t deviate from the whisper of your gentle chime

I promise you, your blessings will arrive right on time

Allow the healing waters to flow

 

Reflections

Give Thanks to a Grateful Heart by Nicole

 

On this “Thanksgiving Day” as I give thanks to my grateful heart, I also give thanks to grace for my endless love of life.

 

Like the beautiful autumn leaves that fall from the trees, I try to rekindle each day as if it is a new beginning.

 

When I feel a sense of unrest and my fire loses its spark, I take a leap of faith to open-up to exceptional possibilities.

 

I find that during my elder-hood years, while dancing in the sunrise, allowing the sun to play me like a violin, it reminds me my strength is strong and steady.

 

The different paths I have taken on my journey relaxes my gentle soul and teaches me how I have loved each stage of my life.

 

Knowing my higher power recycles rubbish into treasures, I give witness to each day, understanding that…

 

All Things Work Together for Good

 

“To All Happy Thanksgiving”