Thankful for the Years

Thankful for the Years
by Lyn Marinello (2022)

I'd rather celebrate your birthday, than mourn your last sweet sip of air.
Wander fondly through the memories, than choke on thick despair.
Rounds and rounds of golf and the trophies that we won.
You, on keyboard, in your glory, entertaining everyone.
Driving me to dance class; indulging tap, jazz and ballet.
Duets on the piano. Diffusing the Saturday morning fray.
Plaster of Paris parties. Typesetting Gestalt for days on end.
You never met a stranger; just another brand new friend.
The endless urn of coffee. Proud of my tricks in bars.
Craps games in the kitchen. All those St. Peter's Church bazaars.
Mending my broken heart with all the wisdom that you share.
Nervously cheering floor routines, throwing my body uselessly in the air.
So very many nights of varied music and of games.
Watching all our home productions. Sorting fists and fights and blames.
Allowing and instilling that we care for every stray.
Whether bi- or quadrupedal; you'd welcome them to stay.
Holidays were epic. You just left magic in your wake.
Stood strong against all obstacles; taught us to bend but never break.
Life, you said, is much like gambling. You've got to always roll the dice.
Be nice no matter what ... until it's time to not be nice.
The chasm you left is gaping. Some days, still, are hard to walk.
I want to pick my cell phone up so we can laugh and sing and talk.
The strength that you imparted helps me navigate those dips.
And I find myself quite frequently making use of your sage quips.
And with a photo or a tune, I'm occasionally overwhelmed by tears.
Saddened by the hole you left. Eternally thankful for the years.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom!
I miss you.

The House

I saw this quote on someone's page
and it resonated quite a lot.

I am not judging folks,

nor am I sugarcoating your hardships,

but in my honest opinion,

this holds much truth.

The words you speak

become the house

you live in.

Speak of only woes

and you will wallow there.

Speak of only troubles

and the mire thickens.

Speak of the tiny,

perhaps infrequent,

miracles

and they will multiply.

Smallest Moments

This quote
is spectacular
and true.
Celebrate and cherish
those
smallest moments.

Happiness lives

inside of the

smallest moments.

~ Christy Ann Martine

OMG! This!!!

Oh My Goodness!
Yes, this!

There are just far too many people

who think the otherwise.

From Paul Coelho:

The world

is changed

by your example

NOT

by your opinion.

Let It Be

I know some of you are already humming.
That is good.

Let It Be by The Beatles

is one of those songs

that instantly turns me to mush.

It is so simple

but so powerful

in so many ways.

Your task today ...

go and listen to that song.

Absorb its words.

Heed its message

(whatever that might be for you).

Live in love.

And Let It Be.

Best Definition Ever

Saw this and thought ...
yup ...
Best. Definition. Ever.

Kindness is

loaning someone

your strength

instead of

reminding them

of their weakness.

Now ...

go do that.

A little Pooh

Nicknamed "Lynnie the Pooh" growing up,
I have a mild obsession and great love for him.
This is one of my favorites:

"What day is it?" asked Pooh.

"It's today." squeaked Piglet.

"My favorite day," said Pooh.

Make it matter.

A Better Place

This is not mine,
but I'm certainly a fan,
and a true practitioner.
Enjoy your Friday!

I love people

that have no idea

how wonderful they are

and just wander around

making the world

a better place.

And am incredibly blessed

to know quite a few.

Thank you!

Special Occasion

Please, please, please ...
don't save the fine china,
the fancy tablecloths and napkins,
the pretty dresses
for a 'special occasion'.

Every!
Single!
Moment!
is a Special Occasion!!!

Absorb every blessing.

Hug all the hugs.

Eat take out on the china.

Do more

of what makes your 

soul happy.

Every!

Single!

Moment!

is a Special Occasion!

Control and Power

A nice little tidbit
that speaks volumes:

When you cannot control

what is happening,

control the way

you respond to it.

For that is where

your power is.

Good Stuff Right Here

From Frederick Buechner:


He said,

"One life on this earth
is all that we get;

whether it is enough

or not enough,

and the obvious conclusion

would seem to be

that at the very least

we are fools if we do not live it

as fully and bravely and beautifully

as we can."

Layers

I'm not sure
that this was anything more
than an article headline,
but it sure did capture my attention.

Our inner child

lies hidden beneath

the layers we've put on

attempting

to become adults.

Angel's Wings

Angel's Wings
by Lyn Marinello

Angel's wings, embrace me, from the wicked of this Earth
Sheathe me in your feathery steel, protect my Heavenly worth
A downy soft encasement to fortify my soul
A powerful light to guide me on a path to make me whole
Angel's wings, do comfort me. Soften the trials ahead
Grant me strength in faith to walk where I am led
Ratify my resolve to overcome what may
Offer me your solace to seek another day
Angel's wings, please lift me, to the heights of God's design
His glory rises ten-fold more than any inkling mortally mine
Soaring just below me, I ask for loft bequeathed
To my pinnacle of purpose with a winged net beneath
Angel's wings, provide me, a blissful journey to His throne
A celebratory ending to a beginning of glories unknown
Guide me home sweet Angel whispers when my clay shell's been wrung dry
Lay me down softly on Angel's wings and carry me home on high!

Both Sides

Do not know where this came from,
and ... of course ... I embellished a smidge.
Hope you enjoy it and take heed of it.

You can be vulnerable

and still be powerful.

You can have a gentle heart

and still be rock solid at your core.

You can be as calm as a breeze,

but as fierce as a tiger.

The most amazing people

not only embody,

but empower,

and embrace

both sides.

Breathe In

Today,
I'd like for you
to stop
and breathe in ...

Breathe in

light

stars

waves

woods

seashells

driftwood

laughter

kindness

generosity

hugs

hope

love

and all the things

that make you grateful.

And then ...

breathe out ...

all those same things!

Ancient Chinese Secret

A little Tzu for you.
(It's really not a secret!)

Being deeply loved

by someone

gives you strength,

while

loving someone deeply

gives you courage.

Blooooooooom!

In honor of Spring
and Easter ...

A flower

does not think

of competing

with the

flower

next to it.

It

just

blooms!

Moore Myself

Julianne Moore said:

The older I get,

the more I want to be

authentically myself.

Oh if only

we could shout this

from the rooftops

to all the youngens

who are trying

so hard

to 'fit in' and

be like everyone else.

My darlings ...

you are extraordinary

and were created

to be

authentically you!

Learn

This quote
has always
spoken to me
and
I really do feel
much more at ease
and peaceful
when
learning
in
God's classroom ~

whether

it's the woods

or the beach

or a meadow

or a lake

or a trail

or a hill

or ...

Not

all classrooms

have

four walls.

Walls

Saw this exceptional nugget
and wanted to share
in case someone needed it.

I told my friend

that I'm emotionally

"hitting a wall"

and she said,

"Sometimes,

walls are there

so we can lean on them

and rest."

What a glass half-full perspective.

Enjoy the respite -

however it may appear.

PT

Nope.
Not physical therapy.

Not part time.

I'm speaking about

Please

and

Thank You!

If you're old enough

to have raised children

in the days of the purple dino,

you're probably singing that song.

But,

these simple phrases

should be taught and retaught

and taught some more.

A little common courtesy

and some PT

can change a circumstance,

a relationship,

an outcome,

a life.

All the Things

Came across several tidbits I wanted to share.
I may just kind of mash 'em all together
to make a broader statement ...
cause I'm a broad ...
who likes to make statements.

The same boiling water

that softens the potato

hardens the egg.

It's about what you're made of,

not your circumstances.

Two things you are

in total control of:

your attitude and your effort.

The soul would have no rainbow

if the eyes had no tears.

Love is the bridge

between you and everything else.

Don't adapt

to the energy in the room.

Influence it!

Do NOT be normal.

You were created for far greater things.

Not so Babbling Brooke

A little snippet
from one Brooke Hampton ~
just absolutely love this:

In a society that profits

from our insecurities

and lack of self-love;

it's a beautiful act of rebellion

to know your worth

and like yourself

as you are.

Soar

Was waiting to clock in at work one day.
As directed by something inside,
I grabbed my phone and started typing.
This is what fell out.
Enjoy!


Soar
by Lyn Marinello

Fly the coop, leave the nest
Give your all, try your best
Take a leap, spread your wings
Read the books, do the things
Learn all the time, explore and pray
Always be thankful, seize each day
Lift up others, take a chance
Believe forever in true romance
Question everything, take a stand
Walk in the woods, sit in the sand
Take the hike, sail the sea
Do the things that set you free
Hold a hand, give proper hugs
Speak in words, not grunts and shrugs
Claim your value, know your worth
Accept your import upon this earth
Keep God's Word at your very core
Do not be timid, you were made to soar

A Van Gogh Pair

These spoke to me today.
Wondering if anyone else needs to read 'em ...

Seek only light and freedom

and do not immerse yourself too deeply

in the worldly mire.

and

There is peace

even in the storm.

Enjoy the day and its blessings.

Best Gift

The best gift

you are ever going

to give someone,

is the permission

to feel safe

in their own skin;

to feel worthy;

to feel stable;

to know love;

to understand

their own value;

to feel

they are enough.

Gift freely.

Gift often.