A Simple Empty Stocking

A Simple Empty Stocking
by Lyn Marinello


An eight foot balsam fir draped in lights of every hue
Glittering gold ornaments and ribbons of royal blue
Presents wrapped all shiny with fancy, pretty bows
There's a crackling of oak logs as the cozy fire glows
Garland frames the doorways, smell that snickerdoodle laden air
There is Christmas music playing as we scurry to prepare
The Reason for the season holds center stage in nativities
There's a joyous celebration in all activities
Yet by miles between us or Heavenly reservation
There's an underlying ache; a sad and timid trepidation
For upon that walnut mantel, hung with the utmost tender care
Is a simple empty stocking for someone who's no longer there
Their presence fills the void but not in a tangible sort of way
The gift of time we shared to be unwrapped when in dismay
Talk about them freely; of the zest for life they shared
Impart a little of their wisdom; about the things of which they cared
Carry on traditions. Hold dear the things they cherished
They still very much surround you, though their earthly vessel's perished
Gather while you're able. Take comfort in the flocking
There's a peace; a calm serenity in that simple empty stocking.

Mark

If you're coming
to leave your mark

on the world,
make that mark
something beautiful.

I didn't write this.

Just found it fabulous.

Two-fer

I was going to try
to find a nifty way
to mash these two together,
but
their mere existence
is simply brilliant.

Be authentic.

Speak sincerely.

Listen thoughtfully.

Act compassionately

and love.

ALWAYS love.

What we bring to life

becomes our life.

and

Every child

begins the world

again.

See & Shut

Mr. Benjamin Franklin
sure was spot on:

The way to see

by faith

is to shut the eye

of reason.

The more it sinks in,

the more sense it makes.

Stuffing

Oh that glorious accoutrement
that goes with the Thanksgiving bird,
but ...
am I ever really talking about
what I'm talking about?

:-)

Today, 

I want you to think

about what you are stuffing

into your life.

Is it all work?

Is it stress?

Is it sadness, anger,

bitterness, resentment?

Remember

to stuff your days

with gratitude,

thankfulness,

and selflessness.

A recipe

for scrumptious days ahead.

Thankful

Not sure if I'll get on here tomorrow,
or if any of you will be reading,
but I will ensure that today
you are filled with all the love!

I am thankful for hard days

and difficult people.

I am thankful for hard work

and occasional bruises.

I am thankful for tears

and for heartache.

With each of the those things

and so many more

I have cunningly learned

to navigate life;

to be empathetic;

to be compassionate;

to be patient;

to be diligent;

to be tenacious;

to be brave;

to be humble;

to be happy.

I am thankful, too,

for you.

All you wonderful folks

who have lifted me up,

walked beside me,

pushed me along,

and backed me up.

Life is as good

as we choose to see it.

Mine is pretty dandy -

because of you all.

Thank you.

The Good

I was gifted
with lifting the spirits
of a sad soul
coming through my line yesterday.

I offered her
another viewpoint
to her loss.

Through teary eyes
we hugged one another;
strangers,
both enlightened
and bettered
by a random encounter.

This is The Good in life.

Enjoy.

Grass

Saw this quote
and boy, howdy,
did it scream at me.
Apparently,
someone needs to see this:

I was too busy

working on my own grass

to notice

if yours was greener.

Competition

This!
Love this:

Look

in the mirror.

THAT

is your competition.

Beautiful and Necessary

Yesterday,
an early wake up calling
left a beautiful message.
Today,
my brain is all over the place.

Each day

is what it is.

Find the joy, find the hope,

find a way to increase

your positive impact

on yourself

and the world around you.

Will the manure turbine still turn?

You bet!

Does it matter?

Nope.

Keep doing you.

You're beautiful

and necessary.

Sitting at Life's Table

These words woke me at 4:30 am and tumbled out -

like me from bed.
Enjoy.


Sitting at Life's Table
by Lyn Marinello

Everyone is welcome
To life and its bountiful feast
From the great and very powerful
To the newborn, life at its least
The tables are not set the same
Some mahogany, some just a mere lap
Some drink days old beverages
Some sip the finest stuff on tap
Fine china graces tabletops
Others dine on paper
Some are warmed by steel drum fires
Some watch dancing flames on tapers
Silver spoons among the table wear
For others, plastic is a treat
Some might search through dumpsters
While other's repasts are replete
Some are clad in second hand
Some in fancy red carpet attire
Some soothe the air with classical
Other's serenaded by nature's choir
Some dine atop fine linens
Others on a thin plastic sheet
Some surrounded by familial chatter
Some by the harsh sounds of the street
Some bellies will be overstuffed
Some will ache for just one bite
Some retire to aperitifs
And some just fade into the night ...
But, lo, there is a table
Whose guest list is inclusive
Of every single person
Reservations un-elusive
Breaking bread is custom
Everyone shares the fare
It's a coming together of palate and peace
It begins and ends with prayer
Our Father serves the meal
A hearty menu on which to thrive
Nourishing both the body and soul
A promise to lift and revive
No matter your earthly stature
There's a chair etched with your name
We're all welcome at His supper
Individuals; all the same
Dining in His presence
Is a choice for each to make
The invitation is eternal
And eternity's at stake
We clasp hands at His table
Conjoined with higher cause
Brothers and sisters unified
With the opportunity to pause
We are one; we're equal
Each uniquely able
To dine together peacefully
Sitting at Life's Table.

As Long

Saw this three times yesterday.
When things recur, I pay attention.
Someone needs to see this.
It might have just been me,
but I've learned

that's probably not the case.

As Long as we have memories,

yesterday remains.

As Long as we have hope,

tomorrow awaits.

As Long as we have love,

today is beautiful.

As Long as we have God,

anything is possible.

Silence

Silence
gives
answers.

In the quiet 

of the morning,

or the middle

of the night,

or perhaps,

in the center

of your self,

there are answers

to most things

you want

to know.

Nancy

I wrote this for my husband,
in hopes of capturing the best of his sister,
who passed away over Halloween weekend.
Although you may not have known her,
hopefully these words will paint a picture.
Respectfully ...

Nancy
by Lyn Marinello

I walked in the shadows
Played in the dark
Was afraid of the fire
But tempted the spark
Breathing life into others
Gave meaning to mine
Thankful to God
For peace time after time
I danced on the edge
Lived life at my pace
Saw beauty in others
I was thankful for grace
I loved a good wedding
I danced up a storm
Unconfined by labels
I challenged the norm
Family was everything
Arms open and caring
Unaffected by actions
Eternally sharing
Standing up here
Looking over all of you
I'm free of any pain
I am cleansed anew
No more misdirection
I'll no longer roam
Thank you for your love
It has guided me Home

Strength

Behind every strong person
is a story
that gave them no choice.

It is extraordinary

to realize

the strength

that lies within you.

There's a tenacity

that sits

at the core

of those who will not quit.

It doesn't matter

what is before them.

It is their mission

to put it behind them.

I believe

we have all

tasted this adversity

and victory.

Some

much more than others.

It is a

beautiful metamorphosis

to witness

and an

incredible gift

to be a part of.

THIS!

Sometimes,
we all need to be reminded
of this very simple thing:

Don't forget,

while you're busy

doubting yourself,

someone else

is admiring

your strength.

Aha!

A very HUGE thank you
to our Veterans today.
Your service is humbly appreciated.

and know ...

your 'Aha!' moment for the day ...

Do not get upset

with people

or situations;

both are powerless

without

your reaction.

Honest

I call BS on being 'stoic'.
Defined as: one who is free from passion,
unmoved by joy or grief,
and who submits without complaint to unavoidable necessity.

 

(Really? submits without complaint to unavoidable necessity?)

Be real. Be honest.

If there are tears ... cry.

If you feel grief ... grieve.

If you are overcome ... then let it go.

Life is too short

to put on facades and masks

only to try to remember

how you're supposed to behave

in front of whom.

There is no weakness

in tears,

in feeling,

in allowing yourself

to be washed in the moment.

There is tremendous strength

in hearts on sleeves,

in bravery of voice,

in the emotional outburst

that comes from love.

Be Honest.

Embers

Embers
by Lyn Marinello

Born of equal innocence, naked and pure and clean
Each of us unknowing of what our lives could mean
A product of what's around us or the culmination of our choices
Battered by adjacent bitterness or bolstered by tantamount voices
Limited only by boundaries built by societal fray
You're a stunning piece of artwork; a masterpiece of moldable clay
And as precious as you are, there's the occasional chip or crack
To reach the pinnacle of your grandeur, there is nothing that you lack
The path may seem so daunting. A dark and frightening, chasm-ed course
Your greatness dwells within you, in your soul, your strength, your source
We each possess a purpose; an impact to be gratefully shared
A humble being with a lesson if we allow those imperfections to be bared
Life may take its toll; dull your shine and steal your zeal
You were created for a reason. Don't let your mission be concealed
There are innumerable parasites looking to erode your worth
Dig deep to fully resurrect the simplistic beauty of your rebirth
Your value lies not in the tangible; but in your essence, an artful uncloaking
Those brilliant, flickering embers that are truly worth the stoking

Great Shepherd

Listen up flock ...

from Margaret Shepard:

Sometimes,

your only available

transportation

is a 

leap of faith.

Not.

This is not my poem,
but one I think a lot of folks
could use right now.

Not.

by Erin Hanson

You are not your age,

Nor the size of clothes you wear,

You are not a weight,

Or the color of your hair,

You are not your name,

Or the dimples in your cheeks,

You are all the books you read,

And all the words you speak,

You are your croaky morning voice,

And the smiles you try to hide,

You're the sweetness in your laughter,

And every tear you've cried,

You're the songs you sing so loudly,

When you know you're all alone,

You're the places that you've been to,

And the one that you call home,

You're the things that you believe in,

And the people that you love,

You're the photos in your bedroom,

And the future you dream of,

You're made of so much beauty,

But it seems that you forgot,

When you decided you're defined,

By all the things you're not.

Ain't that nice?

Off-grid for the weekend.

Be back on Monday.

Find those silver linings,

count those blessings,

be well and know you're loved.

Zig & Stevie

A pair of quotes
from two very different people
that truly are powerful.
Let them sink on in ...

Don't count

the things you do,

do the things

that count.

and

We all

have ability.

The difference 

is how we use it.

Without Googling ...

who said which?

Bricks

Found this David Brinkley quote and had to share:

A successful man

is one who can

lay a firm foundation

with the bricks

others have thrown at him.

(mic drop!)

For my Ch-Angel Amie

Saw this and thought of you:

Don't try to steer the river.

Love you ... and stuff.

Parenting

As promised, I am back and brought with me
the words that were rolling around in the old noggin'.
This is written for myself, my brand new moms, my mom
and a bazillion other people who will 'get it'.
I hope you enjoy. Please let me know.


Parenting
by Lyn Marinello

As you age you understand just a smidge of your parents' woes
The worries that they battled as each precious child grows
Work hard for what you want and play when you are able
Say your prayers before bed each night and keep your elbows off the table
Always say, "Please" and "Thank you"; treat strangers as though new friends
Apologize when you've made mistakes; always try to make amends
Eat up all your meat and veggies. Don't be afraid to enjoy dessert
Don't be afraid to speak your mind, but be mindful that words can hurt
These are simple tasks of parenting, though none of them are easy
Parenting's not for the faint of heart or for those who are quickly queasy
As children grow you navigate on terribly thin ice
You hope the foundation that you've laid is solid enough to suffice
You must build up a little ego, but not to boisterous extreme
Raise a considerate, caring human with a bullet-proof self-esteem
You have to teach respect but debating tools as well
Obey the laws before you, but when wronged you fight like hell
You tilled the earth they walk on. Set down roots to keep them grounded
Redirected when they veered off course; offered guidance when confounded
You padded the nest they laid in; provided a haven of safety and rest
Imparted the passion to chase their dreams and the stamina to face said quest
You urged them in jumping from that nest, assured you'd catch them or they'd fly
You gave them strong and mighty wings with which to soar on high
When they're little you protect them, but a broken heart is hard to mend
So you sit and cry and listen, so they know you comprehend
You hug them back together; absorb all the pain and tears
Stand beside them undeterred as they battle down their fears
You celebrate the victories and coach them through defeat
You let them fall; the lesson learned, though the education's bittersweet
You've got to let them go and make errors all on their own
You pray they will take solace in the most basic seeds you've sown
You can't hold their hands forever, but hearts are eternally connected
The only true rule in parenting is that absolutely anything's expected
Without manuals or directions we all take on this blessed task
With nothing but each other to answer all the questions that we ask
Those apron strings must be untied, though the bond is never-ending
Parenting; that thankless, unpaid job is worth all the effort you're expending.