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”

Rise to Higher Ground by Nicole

 

Illustrated by Grand Baby Girl Nicole

 

Rise to Higher Ground

On this autumn day, as I rise to higher ground in my beautiful balloon, I realize I am falling madly in love with the sunshine.

As I Invite the sun into my life, the lamp of light taps on my spirit and humbles my heart.

The gentle guiding force of the sunshine reminds me, it does not matter how difficult my day was on yesterday, the sun rises and brings joy in the morning.

Float Up with Me

 

Looking up in my exquisite balloon and watching the cirrus clouds as they quietly pass under the rainbow, I am overwhelmed with peace.

As I relax in my dwelling place, I feel the calm air that calls me in with delight.

Drawing nearer to the magic of the sun, I briefly review the peaks and valleys of my life.  

Float Up with Me

                                                  

In a twinkling of an eye, having the sunshine in my direct view, I realize my air visit is just for the early morning. 

Descending from the sky, I will end this wonderful visit knowing that the sunshine is my lifeline.

Understanding that grace is extended by accepting this sunny brand-new day, I see this day as a sign of passage.

Float Down with Me

 

Returning to hallow ground, I know this glorious experience brings me to a point whereby I will be at peace with those things I cannot change.

Knowing I am the leader of my destiny, I will move forward to who I hope to be.

Being blessed in thy sight, I am now inspired with the freedom to write the first page of the next chapter of my life.

 

 “Rise up with wings like eagles

Run and not grow weary

Walk and not faint”

Blessings From the Mulberry Tree by Nicole

 

As I sit near the mulberry tree waiting for my blessings to return, blessings of memories I lost during my stroke, I began to feel the cool breeze dazzling through the mystical tree leaves. As I look up, I immediately realize my blessings are returning like flash lightning.

Like fireflies during warm summer nights, the wonder of it all shows me how to reach out and gently catch the memories as they pass by.

The new reflections of my recurring memories allow the leaves on the mulberry tree to touch like warn silk on my skin, taking my breath away.

Unto me, thank you for the blessings…

 

I am in awe of the beauty of the long summer nights that bring joy from the shading of the mulberry tree leaves.

Reaching for my guiding light, I look up between the leaves and see the twinkling stars in the sky that take away the darkness and bring beautiful sparkles to my memories.

In the past, as I lived the dream and reminisced about how I could recapture my memories, I never imagined they would return like a brilliant whirlwind when I least expected.

Unto me, thank you for the blessings…

 

As my blessings gently tap on my inner strength, bringing many moments of clarity, I am deeply grateful for the healing.

Although my short-term memory continues to be a bit of a brain fog, I am overwhelmed with the swift return of my enriched long-term memory.

There is no greater love than to share the commitment of my blessings I recovered through life experiences. 

Unto Thee

Thank you for the Blessings of my Memories

Aphasia - What a Beautiful Name by Nicole

 

“Allow Aphasia to Have Her Say”

 

I am Aphasia, the flower in the field that picks you up

when you have no doubt

Yes, I am Aphasia, with my beautiful pink petals

that is ready to evolve and show you about

Like a river that flows through the sea

and shows you the way

I promise to teach you, if you allow me to just…

“have my say”

 

I am Aphasia, my acceptance and great resilience

call you to arms

Yes, I am Aphasia, one thing I assure you,

I mean you no harm

In your reflection see the love that I give

Not just for the moment

but teaching you how to really live

As I, Aphasia, show you my pure passion and love each day

Allow me to dance and just…

 “have my say”

 

I am Aphasia, shall I open up my vines or just let you be

Yes, I am Aphasia, allow there to be a witness

between me and thee

As you try to escape the prison of your pride,

Aphasia will accommodate you

by removing the thorns from your side

 

As I impart wisdom, may I show you my appeal

You are the master of your own faith and ready to heal

When you patiently call me, I will be there

Giving you every inch of my resolve

Showing you how much I care…

 

“But Only If You Allow Me to Stay

And Just Have My Say”

April Showers Bring May Flowers, by Nicole

 

April Showers

 

 

  Bring May Flowers

Three years ago, on April 2^nd, I had a stroke which debilitated my speech and hindered my movements.  Today, I live to tell the story how I came out on the other side by accepting the April Showers from my stroke that rose into beautiful May Flowers.

The path I traveled on yesterday, travel today and will travel tomorrow gives me great hope.

First and foremost, I give thanks to the Stroke Comeback Center (SCC) guardian angels that show the stroke survivors and strivers how to live with the equality of life.

Yesterday, when I found my back against the wall, SCC taught me how to allow Aphasia to softly push the words that waver, until the words are ready to appear.

If I am bound by the barriers of forgetfulness, SCC taught me how to shake it off and patiently wait for Aphasia to take a bow, showing me the way.

SCC taught me to bounce back and make positive steps by marching forward.

April Showers bring May Flowers 

Today, when I have problems expressing my words, I have learned to adapt through patience and gentleness.  

The SCC earthly angels gently show me how to fly high and land on one wing.

As I observe the wind blowing beneath my wing, I can see the beauty of the world.

April Showers bring May Flowers

Tomorrow, as I open a new gate in my world, I will look back on the wrinkled roads I have traveled to get where I am today.

While appreciating my spirit is stronger than it was before my stroke, I will learn to adjust to the wisdom of lessons learned, which magnifies and light up my heart.

In my post stroke era, I will glide through my new journey that settles my hungry soul.

April Showers bring May Flowers 

What is my victory? I now understand when I feel all hope is gone, I will allow the rainy days from the April Showers to overflow and shine on me; and, I now understand,  I am blessed with May Flowers that show me…

I have been tried and true beyond all measures

April Showers will Bring You May Flowers

To Brooke, the one with the golden heart; and to Amy, who also speaks with a gentle and graceful spirit.

Listen to Your Heart, by Nicole in honor of National Heart Month

 

Listen to your Heart

 

From the Sky to Hallow Ground

As your heart protects and shields you, from the sky to hallow ground, listen to your heart when it tells you how much it adores you…

You know they say, “The heart is our sunshine if we treat it well”

 

Listen to your heart when it brings peace, joy and harmony into your life…

 

Listen to your heart as it takes in the melody of the birds singing with delight but sometimes warn you of sadness to come…

 

As your heart takes in the repertoire of the birds singing with every fiber of their being; when the birds sing with their specialized syrinx, they are inviting your heart to listen to their beautiful songs of rapture…

 

When you find yourself lost in the wilderness, listen to your heart when it tries to direct you to a safe passage…

 

Tap on your heart and feel the awesomeness around you; tap on your heart and allow it to remember the beauty of the world…

 

Keep the lights burning in your heart telling it that the love you feel, will prevail…

 

Listen to your heart when it gently forgives all of the reckoning you have put it through over the years…

                                     

As we try to heal the scares in and around our heart, take the time out to reflect and believe in a miracle of recovery…

 

As your heart speaks to you and delicately reminds you although we know sorrow, above all we know love that sustains us…

 

As your heart touches your life each day, ‘can you get a witness’; see your burdens roll away…

 

“If the heart could speak to one another they would speak how wonderful not to flutter”

Birth of a Butterfly, by Nicole

 

Do Not Surrender

Like a caterpillar that rises from new birth, developing into a beautiful butterfly, boldly go into the year of 2021 knowing that the “best is yet to come”.

As we magically fly away from the year 2020 and bravely embark on the New Year 2021, walk through the valley by faith and not by sight.

Do Not Surrender

As we continue to fear and grieve the pandemic that began in 2020, a year that seemed to be discouraging for some of us, do not lose hope.

When the life you planned may not work out the way you expected or wished, don’t lose your sense of wonder; adjust to the new normal.

Despite all of the psychological miles you may have traveled in 2020, even with all of your imperfections, “walk in favor” in 2021.

Do Not Surrender

As you began a new dawn, invite the sun into your life by observing the beauty of it all; knowing that when the sun dips below the horizon, there will be another sunrise.

Notwithstanding what you see, what you hear or what you read, hold on to that graceful glow in your heart, knowing from the darkness there will be light.

Do Not Surrender

As we come full circle in life, understand that the pandemic is real and we must be on one accord with trying to protect you and others from the pandemic; spiritually see its chains being broken.

Be strong, courageous and reach beyond the fear; in 2021 move into a new season and see blessings working together for your good.

As the butterfly that glides around receiving its blessings upon blessings, the butterfly reminds you when it is all said and done, carry on and see that there are brighter days ahead.

‘Said the Butterfly

Do Not Surrender’

Sunshine on My Shoulder by Nicole

 

I am one of those people who is usually a bit reluctant about going into surgery.  Well, on the early morning of Monday, September 28, I awoke and later realized spiritually, there was sunshine on my shoulder.  As I prepared to go to the hospital for surgery, there was calmness about me, a calmness I have never felt before…

That morning as I left home, realizing COVID-19 is swift around the medical community; yet, I felt my cup runneth over with joy…

Stay in the Race

As my son drove me to the hospital, my spirit was constantly telling me, ‘joy comes in the morning, I must stay in the race’…

After arriving to the hospital, I experienced such beautiful, beautiful peace among everyone I came in contact with; the registration assistant, the nurses, the anesthesiologist, the surgeon and his assistant.  It was as if my Higher Power assigned a band of angels to take care of me, putting me at ease…

I Am Grateful

Sunshine on my Shoulder 

My Heart is Filled with Praise

Prior to going into surgery, I remember asking my Higher Power to bring me through the procedure and allow me to gently fly here on earth a little while longer.  Allow my heart to be filled with praise as I dance fearlessly through the valley and come out on the other side in the beautiful love of light…

Stay Steadfast

Prior to going into surgery, I strongly felt the prayers from those who are here on earth praying for my recovery; gently requesting I stay steadfast; and, I thank them…

Spiritually, I felt the presence of my ancestors surrounding me with a tsunami of love; gently directing me to stay steadfast.  As they tiptoed through the tulips, dancing around me, telling me my surgery is nothing but a formality and my Higher Power got this; and, I thank them…

I Am Grateful

Sunshine on my Shoulder

 

Wisdom Come from Experience

After going through surgery, for days I humbled myself, rocking and rolling, asking my Higher Power to allow my heart to be still while waiting for the pain to subside.  When the pain abates, I realized I am more than a conqueror…

Healing to the Bones

And finally, after going through surgery, my soul was overwhelmed when I spiritually received this sweet message…

“Gracious Words are a Honeycomb, Sweet to the Soul and Healing to the Bones”

Proverbs 16:24

As I stand on the wall, accepting my healing, these words ascend out into the universe…

Yes,

I Am Grateful

Sunshine on my Shoulder