THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Wednesday, 8 November 2023

YOU KEEP GOING

"YOU KEEP GOING"
(author unknown)

You might think it’s no big deal. You might not even realize the power in your ability to keep going. But I see you. I know that strength. I know the nights of no sleep met with mornings of tired. I understand the give and the take. I know the heartbreak and the love.

And I know that sometimes it’s so easy to dismiss that we keep going.

You keep going.

That family of yours knows that you keep going. That is such a gift. A life gift. A hard thing.

It’s hard to keep going when the cards all crash in. But you keep going.

It’s challenging to keep going when relationships fail. But you keep going.

It’s scary to keep going when you don’t have answers. But you keep going.

It’s lonely to keep going when everyone else seems to have it together. But you keep going.

It’s frustrating to keep going when things keep messing up. But you keep going.

It’s tiring to keep going when you get no sleep. But you keep going.

It’s humbling to keep going when you feel overwhelmed. But you keep going.

It’s simple to dismiss it.

But you keep going.

On good days. You keep going.

On bad days. You keep going.

On great days. You keep going.

On irritating days. You keep going.

On normal days. You keep going.

On throw-in-the-towel days. You keep going.

On take a rest and chill days. You keep going.

On exhilarating days. You keep going.

On so-so days. You keep going.

On first-time days. You keep going.

On last-time days. You keep going.

On vacation days. You keep going.

On work days. You keep going.

On invest in your heart days. You keep going.

On never-get-a-break days. You keep going.

On just-a-mom days. You keep going.

You keep going.

You may get to the end of this day and look at your day and wonder what on earth did I accomplish today? But you are only looking at today. You are missing all the days that got you to this day. All the days where you kept on going. All the days when you didn’t know if you would make it through. All those days. So maybe your to-do list has a hundred things checked off or maybe it has none – but it does have this – you keep going.

Sweet, sweet sister.

The weight of the world will try to tell you that you need to do more, be more, change more, love more, give more, show-up more, but sister, sometimes the world misses the most powerful part of you.

You keep going.

So hold your head high. Be proud of you. Love your days. All of them.

You know what is amazing? This story, this life, this adventure – you are such a beautiful part of it. For so many. For your friends, your children, your family.

Because you keep going.

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IT'S OK by Joanne Boyle

"IT'S OK"
by Joanne Boyle

It's OK to feel sadness

for those who are gone,

but what about those here,

they still belong.

It's OK to shed tears,

anytime, any place,

but remember the ones,

that are still in this place.

It's OK to keep longing,

for just once more,

but welcome the ones,

that are still at your door.

It's OK to feel lost,

and to want to scream and shout,

but please don't push

all the living out.

It's OK to be hurting

and just wish it would end,

but cherish the moments,

with family and friends.

It's OK to miss them

with every piece of your heart,

but in someone else's life,

you still play a part.

It's OK to feel

the way that you do,

but how would you feel,

if it was someone missing you?

Joanne Boyle

https://www.facebook.com/poeminabottlle

art by Steffi Krenzek

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Tuesday, 7 November 2023

THE BRAVE LITTLE GNOME

"THE BRAVE LITTLE GNOME"
by English With Mia

Once upon a time in a lush, hidden valley, there lived a tiny gnome named Grumble. Grumble was no ordinary gnome; he had a heart full of courage and a spirit as bright as the morning sun. But, being small in stature, the other gnomes often underestimated him.

One fateful day, a dark shadow fell upon the valley. A fearsome dragon named Drakar had taken residence in the nearby cave, spreading fear and sorrow among the creatures of the land. The gnomes were terrified, and they pleaded with their leader, Elder Bramble, for help.

Elder Bramble pondered for a moment and then turned to Grumble, his eyes filled with hope. "Grumble," he said, "you possess a bravery that outshines us all. Will you face Drakar and free our valley from his grip?"

Without hesitation, Grumble nodded, determination burning in his eyes. He set off towards the cave, armed with a small wooden sword and a heart full of hope.

Inside the cave, the air was thick with an eerie silence. Grumble pressed forward, his heart pounding like the drums of a distant war. Suddenly, he came face to face with Drakar, whose scales gleamed like polished emeralds.

"Who dares to enter my lair?" boomed Drakar, his voice echoing off the walls.

"It is I, Grumble, a gnome from the valley," said Grumble, his voice steady despite the tremble in his legs. "I have come to ask you to leave and spread your wings elsewhere."

Drakar let out a deep, menacing laugh. "A tiny gnome challenging me? This should be amusing."

The battle that ensued was fierce and mighty. Grumble danced around Drakar, his swift movements and clever tactics surprising the dragon. With every swing of his sword, Grumble's spirit burned brighter, fuelled by the love he had for his valley and its creatures.

After what felt like an eternity, Grumble's sword struck true, finding a chink in Drakar's armour. The dragon let out a roar of pain, and with a final surge of strength, Grumble delivered the decisive blow.

As the dragon crumbled to the ground, a wave of relief washed over Grumble. He had done it! He had vanquished Drakar and saved his valley.

Word spread quickly through the land of Grumble's bravery, and he returned to the valley a hero. The other gnomes looked at him in awe and gratitude, knowing now that true courage came in all sizes.

From that day forward, Grumble was celebrated as a legend in the valley. But he remained humble, always remembering that it's not the size of one's body, but the size of one's heart, that truly matters.

And so, the tale of Grumble, the brave little gnome, was told for generations, inspiring gnomes and creatures alike to find their own courage in the face of adversity.

https://www.facebook.com/MiaEnglishTeacher

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Monday, 6 November 2023

THE SKY by Becky Hemsley

"THE SKY"
by Becky Hemsley 2022

He asked of me why it was raining

He asked was it tears from the sky

And I replied yes

That this was the case

That even the heavens can cry

He asked of me what was the thunder

He said it was hurting his ears

And I told him that sometimes

Even the clouds

Need to scream so that somebody hears

He asked of me what was the wind

And why was it whirling and swirling around

So I explained

Even the sky takes deep breaths

When it’s trying to calm itself down

Yet often, we keep our tears secret

And we swallow our own cries for help

And we think that it’s weak

To be catching our breath

So we don’t let our struggles be felt

And yet, if the clouds never emptied

If the sky never screamed through the storm

It would sit growing darker

And darker until

It was simply no use to us all

So throw all your fears to the wind dear

And toss all your tears to the clouds

And you will discover

The infinite power

The heavens hold over the ground

See, it’s normal and natural to struggle

And it’s healthy and human to cry

And if anyone questions

Your power my darling

Just tell them it’s matched by the sky

*****

Becky Hemsley 2022

Lovely artwork by Paige Keiser (@paige.keiser on Instagram)

‘The Sky’ is the last poem in my second collection

https://a.co/d/5yL72E7

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IMAGINE by Becky Hemsley

"IMAGINE"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

Imagine if grief didn’t work this way -

If, when one of our loved ones had left,

We didn’t feel sadness that reached to our bones

‘Til we felt so completely bereft

Imagine if grief didn’t hurt this way –

If we all simply smiled and moved on

If we didn’t feel pain that went straight to our heart

Every time we were missing someone

Imagine if grief didn’t sound this way -

Didn’t echo and scream everywhere

If we weren’t overwhelmed when we tried to be still

By the silence that rang in the air

Imagine if grief didn’t act this way –

Didn’t creep and sneak up on our lives

If we didn’t feel heartache so suddenly strong

That it took all our strength not to cry

But it’s all unimaginable really –

Grief’s supposed to turn life inside out

Because life without grief means we’d never know love

And that doesn’t bear thinking about

So don’t shy away from your sadness

And just take time to tend to your heart

Knowing full well that grief is supposed to be tough

When you had so much love at the start

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Gorgeous watercolour painting by Ksenya Knysh

'Imagine' is from the book When I Am Gone https://a.co/d/eiuHc8H

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A MOTHER'S LOVE

"A MOTHER'S LOVE"
(author unknown)

A mom will always love you more—

than your partner,

than your closest friends,

than you love her,

than anyone.

Because those people, yes, they do love you a lot,

maybe even “so much,”

but a mother’s love is incomparable.

Because it’s a different kind of love.

It’s a love that prioritizes your well-being above her own,

a love that's loud and so strong that, at times, she aches,

a love that changes with your needs, but it’s always there.

It’s a love that protects and supports.

Because she fell in love with you when you were just a thought

before she even met you,

before, you were a small baby who fit on her chest.

And that kind of love that loves unconditionally is powerful.

Because no one else in this entire world will love you like that.

So, you can’t love more than a mom,

and you won’t understand until you become one.

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Sunday, 5 November 2023

ROSE

"ROSE"
(author unknown)

"An 87 Year Old College Student Named Rose

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know.

I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned round to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me

with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?”

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant squeeze.

“Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?” I asked.

She jokingly replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids…”

“No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

“I always dreamed of having a college education and now I’m getting one!” she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the

next three months, we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this “time machine”

as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she revelled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I’ll never forget what she taught us. She was

introduced and stepped up to the podium.

As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, “I’m sorry I’m so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell

you what I know.”

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop

playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humour every day.

You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it! There is a huge difference between growing

older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old.

If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change.

Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those

with regrets.”

She concluded her speech by courageously singing “The Rose.”

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year’s end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died

peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it’s

never too late to be all you can possibly be .When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they’ll really enjoy it!

These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS

OPTIONAL.

We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give."

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