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

 

Team Awesome

We needed to walk a 5km / 3.1 miles walk – the Stroke Comeback Trail.

I needed to set up Mimosas, Nordic-Knot pretzels, juice and my painting: “i am awesome”.

I'm grateful to Gerrit, Karl, Kenzie, Wendy, Erica, John and their three kids, Rita, Hammad, Omi, Katia, Amy, Kristen, Alysia, Rylan and two dogs.

I walked and walked and walked.

We chatted with each other and it was fabulous.

Then everyone drank Mimosas and ate pretzels. Then I needed a nap. 

Cheers, 

Kim

The Essence of My Sweet Spirit by Nicole

 

 The Essence of My Sweet Spirit

 

As my sweet spirit ascends so bright, essence reminds me its star is shining so radiantly tonight

When weakness passes over me, I search and find my essence which utters, ‘it’s time to dance now that I am free’

As I survive any bad that comes to me, with all the sorrow I have learned to just let it be

Even with the fear of failure that holds me back, I am surprised when my essence shows me the way and promises there will be a new day

As I run through the storm with my head held high, my essence politely directs me, ‘Walk softly.  Take a Moment.  Don’t be shy’

As essence whispers in my sight; she shows me how to illuminate in the light

As faith sees best in the dark, my essence shows me how to march on to victory and leave the world my watermark

When I see the mist of the twilight I have found, I realize my feet are on solid ground

Sunset

I Yom Ma Day (My Joy Has Come)