I suspect many of my fellow bloggers will be busy this week: baking,wrapping presents,getting out more chairs,adding one more decoration to the house...
preparing the way for Christmas. And for many it is a time of remembering good times
and family gatherings and for some a connection with the remembering of the Holy event.
But I have become increasingly aware of how many of you out there dread this week,
or disdain it. So much evil evidently has happened in God's name that some blame God
for the ache in their heart or the rage held inside..and Christmas has become a time of sadness
or worse
I cannot go back and right those wrongs for you and
I do not know what to say about the hypocrisy or betrayal you've experienced at the hands of a church.
I cannot erase a childhood of abuse,neglect,alcoholism,gambling,poverty,loneliness,or coldness.
I cannot restore what is gone and who is gone,
and I cannot erase a broken heart or the pain of betrayal.
I cannot change the economy and find you a job or relieve you of the burden of debt.
I cannot know the emptiness that you feel as others tell of their gatherings
But what I can do is acknowledge you,
let you know that I'll save you a seat next to my heart on Christmas.
That I will remember the joy you have given me through knowing you through your blog
for sharing your beautiful artwork ,photography, writing, crafts, decorating, fabric and yarn skills,
for sharing your daily life with me.
For my life has expanded because of you
My life has been made better because of you
I see more joy
and beauty because of you
I have more faith because of you
in humankind's goodness
That despite everything, you chose goodness
as your first step in the day
no matter where or how you started
Thank you
and Merry Christmas
and may star light shine on you
preparing the way for Christmas. And for many it is a time of remembering good times
and family gatherings and for some a connection with the remembering of the Holy event.
But I have become increasingly aware of how many of you out there dread this week,
or disdain it. So much evil evidently has happened in God's name that some blame God
for the ache in their heart or the rage held inside..and Christmas has become a time of sadness
or worse
I cannot go back and right those wrongs for you and
I do not know what to say about the hypocrisy or betrayal you've experienced at the hands of a church.
I cannot erase a childhood of abuse,neglect,alcoholism,gambling,poverty,loneliness,or coldness.
I cannot restore what is gone and who is gone,
and I cannot erase a broken heart or the pain of betrayal.
I cannot change the economy and find you a job or relieve you of the burden of debt.
I cannot know the emptiness that you feel as others tell of their gatherings
But what I can do is acknowledge you,
let you know that I'll save you a seat next to my heart on Christmas.
That I will remember the joy you have given me through knowing you through your blog
for sharing your beautiful artwork ,photography, writing, crafts, decorating, fabric and yarn skills,
for sharing your daily life with me.
For my life has expanded because of you
My life has been made better because of you
I see more joy
and beauty because of you
I have more faith because of you
in humankind's goodness
That despite everything, you chose goodness
as your first step in the day
no matter where or how you started
Thank you
and Merry Christmas
and may star light shine on you
Suz,
ReplyDeleteThis is a generous comment.
Thank you.
Though many who blog are likely not in the most precarious situations we might name, your humanity counts for them as well as for us, the more fortunate.
No telling what 'God' means to 'whoever' out here -- certainly, obviously, more than just what Christmas symbolizes.
But the broad effect of kindness is a universal.
(Thanks again!)
Trulyfool
Thanks from me too - and I echo your sentiments. We're working on the debt thing by buying lottery tickets :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post. Thank you. I share your sentiments!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Suz! Though no longer a believer in any religion, I wholeheartedly embrace the joy and the spirit of the season -- whether Yule, Solstice, Christmas or whatever celebrates the coming of a new hope.
ReplyDeleteHope springs eternal but especially at this time of year. It only takes one kind loving heart to help alleviate the darkness which may effect life. There is no doubt where your heart lies.
ReplyDeleteWords of truth, words of love.. Definitely the time of the year to remember and reach out to the less fortunate, those struggling to find work, and the broken hearted.. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suz. You are, no doubt, a favorite of many on this blogging forum. That is true because of the kindness and nurturing that is evident in your poetry, your writings, and photography. And because of the generous and encouraging comments you offer so many of us.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how much time I'll have in the retail world this week (NONE) to post, but I want to offer you and your family a wish for a Christmas filled with kindness, and the knowledge that your love will sustain you all throughout the coming years.
I appreciated you and what you have given to all of us in this blogging world of sharing of our lives.
Merry Christmas!
Rick
Absolutely, mesmerizingly beautiful, Suz. I would love to repost it on my blog, with your permission. It deserves the widest of audiences.
ReplyDeleteMichael
yes Michael
ReplyDeleteSuz--This is truly a heart-felt gift you have given to everyone that follows you (and them to you!). It is wonderful to know that there are such wonderful people in the world. I sometimes think that we forget to put a face to some of the people out there. I like what Elizabeth Gilbert says in her book: "Imagine that the universe is a great spinning engine. You want to stay near the core of the thing---right in the hub of the wheel---not out at the edges where all the wild whirling takes place, where yo get can frayed and crazy. The hub of calmness---that's your heart. That's where God lives within you. So stop looking for answers in the world. Just keep coming back to that center and you'll always find peace." Great advice, I think, for everyone, even those who don't believe in God...they can believe in their heart. You have shown your heart here. ex
ReplyDeletesweet piece.poem on.
ReplyDeleteGreetings!
ReplyDeleteHere is the end of the year awards 4 you, enjoy!
End of The Year Awards 4 Friends of Jingle or Jingle Poetry Community
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
At this time of the year, We wish you all the best !
Link up a poem to our potluck today, We send blessings all the way to brighten your day!
"what I can do is acknowledge you".
ReplyDeleteAnd you do. Thanks Suz for your support through 2010 and I wish you health and fun for 2011. XX
namaste, suz.
ReplyDeleteI won't get sappy because...oh, who am I kidding? I'm a walking sap machine, so here goes: you have a beautiful and kind spirit, Suz, as is evidenced by all of your followers who seem to know the same thing I do.
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
2 words....thank you:)
ReplyDelete2 more, Merry Christmas.
Great poem
ReplyDelete