You Can Lead a Horse to Water...

Shock, Denial, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. We went through them all and then some... sometimes more than once. First when my daughter survived Thyroid cancer and now with my husband.

After my loved ones cancer diagnosis, I was very eager for him to have the support he needed. But as anyone knows, it is hard for someone else to tell you what you need to do, even if it would be good for you. So when I heard about LIVE STRONG, I looked into it and emailed him the link, letting him know he would find it in his inbox and just to take a look when he was ready.

Time went by, and even though I was eager, I tried not to nag, but asked gently now and again if he had taken a look at the email. He simply replied that he had not deleted it. That was a win in my book.

Then one day, he surprised me and told me he had read about the group and decided to sign up. I tried to suppress my joy, but I was beyond excited. On this difficult journey, I knew he needed to find his people. The ones who could understand in a way that I could not.

So, at the local YMCA, he began going twice a week. The sessions, from what he told me, were filled with community, sharing and LOTS of exercise to strengthen them to live strong. I began noticing a difference. Tired legs and body, of course, but lots of smiles, increase in stamina and interest in doing things. It was a gift for him and a gift for me.

The LIVESTRONG 12-week program sessions are over now and he will move onto their next program in the fall, called "Strong." I am thrilled that many of his new friends will be coming back.

If you know anyone, who is dealing with cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery and is need of strengthening of body and spirit,

I cannot recommend this group highly enough.

You can get more info here or at your local YMCA.

For today's poetry Friday, I thought I would share the beautiful poetic lyrics my daughter wrote for her song, "Calling All Survivors." It is an amazing video, when you think that this was recorded not long after her two surgeries and treatment.

She could have lost her voice.

Thank God and thanks to the amazing medical care she received,

she was able to make this beautiful rallying cry against cancer and for survivors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr8slJGHNzc

For more lovely poetry go to our host: Carol Labuzetta at Apples in My Orchard.

Thanks for hosting, Carol! And thanks Erica Leigh for the inspiration!

Gone From My Sight

This week brought together grief and poetry in an unexpected way. The images in this poem, are ones I will hold onto for days.

One day last year, while visiting my friend Ann, her husband Carm complained that he badly needed a hair cut. Having helped a few of my elderly friends with their bushy eyebrows and graying locks, I offered my help. Soon I was setting up of my barber shop, once a month in their kitchen. There's something about cutting someone's hair that feels so close and intimate. I always feel humbled when I can help someone in this way.

Me and my dear friend, Ann.

While I combed and snipped, Carm would talk about the latest politics or the overide for the school budget that was"just not right!" He was a history teacher for many years with a loud and sometimes gruff voice, but I could see underneath his exterior a small soft spot. It snuck out once in a while in a smile, when I handed him my phone so he could see the results of my efforts and tell me if I missed anything.

Last Monday, while Ann was serving lunch, Carm suddenly collapsed, and after 4 days went home to God. He was 85 and at that age, things happen... But it was Ann's husband of 54 years and when the "two who become one" are separated, it is tough no matter how old or young.

At the funeral, Carm's brother read a beautiful poem, "Gone from My Sight"by Henry VanDyke, that had extra meaning for this couple who loved Maine. I though it was just beautiful and wanted to share it.

Happy Poetry Friday everyone.

Hope these images bring comfort to anyone missing someone they love.

Check out the other lovely poems here. Thank you Karen Edmisten for hosting this week!

Heal

I see it in faces I meet, hear it in conversations I have and feel it in the hands I hold.

There is a hungering for God, for the mercy and peace and path to love and holiness that only He can bring.

This week, words of healing were given in two beautiful ways: first in a love letter and second in the lyrics of a song.

With the passing of Pope Francis, there has been a welcome and meaningful discourse across all forms of media, on what is holy, good and true. A man... A human born upon this earth like you and I, who was called to a vocation of service and compassion, who chose to live simply and put his energy, not in to the things of this world, but in caring for his flock.

A man who could have been honored with elaborate pomp and circumstance, but chose to simplicity and holiness and to be buried in the same black shoes he served God and walked on this earth in.

Please read these beautiful words about the shoes of the shepherd.

Pope Francis offered the following words in his last letter to his flock the day before he died. You can read the full letter here.

Then, last night I found a respite and healing in an unusual place. After a crazy busy few days, I snuggled up on the couch, pulled a blanket across my lap and cupped a warm mug of tea. Scanning the channels, I stopped at American Idol. Listening to some music seemed like a good idea. Performance after performance filled my heart. Words of gratitude, faith and healing filled their songs.

Then the most amazing 4 minutes I have had in a long time. A single father, of two small girls, Jamal Roberts, sang Tom Odell's song, "Heal."

The depth of his voice brought such meaning to the simplicity of the song. Watch at the end how the audience is speechless...

Check out these lyrics:

Please take a moment and listen to this amazing rendition. You can hear a pin drop at the end.

There are no words.

This was divinely inspired and a much needed message of the way to healing. Compassion, mercy and above all love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTDVq9fDlS4

I think the answer to healing for the world is simple, but very difficult at the same time.

We just need to love one another.

Do all things, say all things and be all things to each other

in kindness and love.

I think John Lennon and Burt Bacharach got it right. Imagine if all the energy that goes into divisiveness went into love.