CRACKS by Becky Hemsley 2023

"CRACKS"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

I know you are tired.

I see it etched on your face in shadows and lines.

But I know that your fatigue goes far beyond your skin.

You feel it in your bones.

Your soul is so weary of this world. Of having to drag yourself through it when every moment feels exhausting.

And you think there is something wrong with you.

But I promise you,

there is not.

When water leaks from a bucket,

it is not because the water needs fixing.

It is because the bucket is broken.

You are tired

because the world that carries you is a little broken too.

And sometimes you are trying so hard not to step on the cracks,

trying so hard not to fall through them

that you have no energy left for anything else.

You are tired.

Your bones are weary and your soul exhausted.

But you do not need fixing.

You just need to learn to trust.

To trust that you can carry yourself.

So that one day, you might walk down the pavement

and pay no mind to the cracks in it.

Trusting yourself.

Knowing that, no matter what…

You are not going to fall.

*****

Becky Hemsley 2023 https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Image by Jackson Stock Photography

Image by Jackson Stock Photography via Canva

'Cracks' is from 'Letters from Life

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

My Child by Danielle Sherman-Lazar

"My Child"

by Danielle Sherman-Lazar

⁣

You are my today, my tomorrow, and all the tomorrows after.⁣

⁣

You are the air I breathe,⁣

the light at the end of every dark tunnel,⁣

the rainbow after a torrential rainstorm with thunder and lightning,⁣

and the beautiful melody in all the songs I listen to.⁣

⁣

You are my motivation to swim against the waves,⁣

my strong foundation even when I’m feeling weak and at risk of toppling over,⁣

and my shining star in a dark universe.⁣

⁣

My unconditional love for you,⁣

is one that pulls me out of bed on the hard mornings,⁣

where the tired makes my bones ache,⁣

and my brain is so foggy I can hardly think straight.⁣

⁣

It’s a love that’s so comfortable it rocks me to sleep at night⁣

even after a day filled with overthinking every interaction,⁣

of feeling overwhelmed by an inbox of unread emails and dirty laundry⁣,

and falling short,⁣

again and again.⁣

⁣

I have never felt anything like it before. ⁣

I can be depleted of everything,⁣

but never of my all-encompassing love for you.⁣

⁣

Because when I dig deep, I will always find more to give.⁣

⁣

So, I hope you feel loved every day of your life knowing ⁣

⁣

you’re someone’s today,⁣

tomorrow, and all the tomorrows after.⁣

Danielle Sherman-Lazar

https://www.facebook.com/StrivingToBeFULLeveryday

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

THE CLIMB by Becky Hemsley 2021

"THE CLIMB"
by Becky Hemsley 2021

They say that when you’re broken

This is how the light gets in

But what if all the cracks

Are letting out the light within?

They say it makes you stronger

But at first it makes you weak

The way you face the mountain base

Before you reach the peak

They say to break is brave

And yet your mind is full of dread

You’re not overwhelmed by courage

But by helplessness instead

But admitting you are breaking

Is far braver than you know

And remember, from the bottom

There is just one way to go

See, I think they mean it isn’t just

That breaking makes you strong

But the way you use the embers

Of your will to carry on

It’s triumph over trauma

And it’s healing after hurt

It’s rising from the ashes

With a new-found sense of worth

So find yourself a candle

And allow its tiny spark

To ignite you back to life

And put the fire back in your heart

And grant yourself compassion

For the times that you feel weak

Just rest until you’re strong enough

To get back on your feet

Yes, I know that when you’re broken

You have only threads of hope

But tie them to the mountain

Like your personal safety rope

Then gather at the bottom

With the summit high above

Then take a breath and take a step

The only way is up

******

Becky Hemsley 2021

Artwork by Ksenya Knysh

'The Climb' is from my second collection:

https://a.co/d/gzBzdtW

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

The Christmas Coat

"The Christmas Coat" (author unknown)

An old boy was fumbling around one day

In a women’s clothing store

He’d found his wife a Christmas coat

And was headed for the door

When he bumped into a little boy

That looked like he was lost.

And he said “Mister can you help me

Find out how much something costs?

Here it is almost Christmas

And the nights are getting cold

Winter time is on us

And my mom don’t have a coat.

I’ve been working for the neighbours'

And saving for a time”

And in his tiny outstretched hand

Was a dollar and a dime.

His gaze went from that big eyed boy

To that pretty Christmas coat

And he finally cleared away the lump

That had gathered in his throat.

He said “Son

that’s just what this coat costs

We’re lucky that we found ‘er”

And he turned around and gave a wink

To the lady at the counter.

She put it in a pretty box

And wrapped it up just so

And went off in the back

And found a big red Christmas bow.

He said, “I thank you for your help sir

And I kindly thank you ma’am

I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas

Cause now I know I am.”

Well the old boy walked home busted

Except for the dollar and the dime

Thinking he’d just have to buy

The coat another time.

He told his wife that Christmas this year

Wouldn’t be much fun

And he gently took her in his arms

And told her what he’d done

She said “Why you old softie

I wouldn’t trade you for a farm

I’ve got two or three old coats

And your love to keep me warm.”

She put that money in a matchbox

And placed it beneath their tree

And said, “That is the grandest gift

You’ve ever given me.”

The years went by like years will do

When people are in love.

Their marriage was a golden bond

That was forged by God above.

Then one day came some bitter news

That filled his heart with fright.

The doctor told the old man’s wife

That she was going to lose her sight.

He said, “There’s an operation we can do

But it puts me on the spot

Cause it’s a quite complex procedure

And it’s going to cost a lot.”

The old man said, “Doctor I’m a failure

I’ve made no preparation

We don’t have the money

For that kind of an operation.“

The doctor got the strangest look

And he sat there for a while

And then he slowly nodded

And he broke out in a smile

He said, “Why sir you can’t fool me.

You’re a very wealthy man.

You long ago invested

In the world’s best savings plan

I’ll see she gets the best of care

She’s going to be just fine

And the total cost to you old friend

Is a dollar and a dime.”

The old man stared in disbelief

Then he recognized that smile

The one he’d seen those years ago

On a loving thoughtful child.

He said “What you gave to me that day

Was more than just a coat.

You gave me the gift of giving

And you gave my mother hope.

My mother had been mistreated

Neglected and abused.

But she gave life just one more chance

And it was all because of you.

Now every year she takes that coat

And lays it beneath our tree.

It represents to us the things

That Christmas ought to be.

She says that when we leave this world

For a better home someday

The only things that we’ll take with us

Are the things we gave away.“

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

ALIVE by Becky Hemsley 2023

"ALIVE"
by Becky Hemsley 2023

I know there may have been times in your life when you’ve

stopped dancing, stopped singing, stopped being yourself

because someone was watching you. Judging you.

And you are not the only one to feel this way. But I can’t help thinking that we’ve got it all wrong.

We’ve been taught that we must only be ourselves if it suits other people.

We must only sing if it sounds pleasing to those listening.

We must only dance if it looks good to onlookers.

But we are so wrong.

The birds sing - not because we might listen -

but simply with the joy of being alive.

And the trees dance in the wind - not because it looks good for us -

but because they are alive. Living in the moment. Whatever the moment may bring.

So sing as loud as you wish

and dance as much as you like.

You do not exist for the enjoyment of others.

You exist to be alive.

Properly, fully, beautifully alive.

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

Gorgeous artwork by Snehal Pendurkar (@paintingbysnehal on Instagram)

'Alive' is from "Letters from Life' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9MZC1...

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html

MAYBE RIGHT NOW

"MAYBE RIGHT NOW"
(author unknown)

Maybe right now you have to realize that your journey is not about loving another person

Maybe right now, you have to love yourself first and feel the inner peace of being alone

Maybe right now, you need to figure yourself out and ask yourself why you're rushing the things that can wait

Maybe this is the time to learn how to sleep at night without expecting someone to say goodnight and waking up tomorrow with smile and forgiveness

In that way you will value your personal space and you can give yourself the permission to do your passion and achieve your dreams without worrying about time.

Maybe right now you are being taught that you can take care of your soul and you don't need anyone else to do it for you.

Maybe today marks the beginning of the new version of you, someone that will not rent some space in other person's heart. Because darling, I believe that you can be your own home. A home that will satisfy all your needs and wants. A home that will never get abandoned. And I hope someday you will learn to believe it too.

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html