THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Tuesday, 11 June 2024

I'M SEEING GOD TODAY by Joanne Boyle

"I'M SEEING GOD TODAY"
by Joanne Boyle

I went to see God today

and I looked him in the eye.

I asked him why he took me,

and made so many cry.

I waited for my answer

to bring it back to you, then

God turned to me and smiled

and opened up a view.

I saw familiar faces.

Dogs that played with birds.

Flowers that never wilted.

No one was ever scared.

Children wore their wings

like a costume from a shop.

The eternal view of life

was never meant to stop.

I still didn't understand

but I felt glad that I was here.

God then opened up the clouds

and I saw that I was near.

It was then he began to speak,

he said "just look down there.

So much pain and destruction,

a sight I cannot bare.

So each day I find new angels,

some are young and some are old,

but once they are here in heaven

their age will always hold.

I know that when I take them,

hearts will break in two.

I keep sending down reminders,

in their memories of you.

My angels go to earth

and help them with this fate

but some I go to carry,

to help them through the gate.

Some people are in pain

and though you cannot see,

heaven is the place,

that they deeply long to be.

Some are just too beautiful,

or were sent to earth too soon.

Some were just too fragile,

to be a part of life's sad tune.

We know who is arriving,

the time, the date and place.

We know we leave so many

with a big and empty space.

We will fill it with sweet memories

and let you go and see.

What matters to us most

is that you are now happy."

By now I had forgotten my question,

but not those I'd left behind.

I knew I would always live

in the memories that you'll find.

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

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THEY'RE TELLING YOU... by Becky Hemsley

"THEY'RE TELLING YOU..."
by Becky Hemsley

They saw you watching over them

As they finally closed their eyes

They smelt your scent as they breathed

In and out for the last time

They heard the way your voice broke

As you told them they were loved

They felt you as you held them

With your gentle, farewell touch

And now they watch each morning

As you pass their empty bed

They watch you lose composure

And they see the tears you shed

They hear you bear the silence

Of the footsteps that are gone

That walk across your heart each day

Like echoes of a song

They feel the pang of emptiness

You get when you’re alone

In moments when you realise

That they’re never coming home

But in their darkest moment

You were there to hold them tight

And they just want the same for you

So you can feel alright

So they’re sewing you a rainbow,

Weaving ribbons through the sky

So they can let you know

That life is good beyond goodbye

So next time it is raining

And the sun appears as well

Just feel and look and listen

To what they are trying to tell

They’re telling you it’s spring there

With its showers and its sun

Where there are endless fields for them

To play and stretch and run

They’re telling you they sleep upon

The biggest, softest beds

That they have stitched from all the clouds

That float above your head

They’re telling you they’re not alone

For there are many others

And they’ve been reunited

With their parents, sisters, brothers

They’re showing you their rainbow

So you know they won’t forget you

And to tell you they will always be

So happy that they met you

And they’re telling you they love you

And though they’ll be dearly missed,

Not to worry, ‘cause it’s beautiful

Beyond the rainbow bridge

******

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by Paige Keiser https://linktr.ee/paigekeiser

It's World Pet Loss Day today. Sending my love to those missing and remembering a beloved pet

This poem is in my book for grief and loss:

https://amzn.eu/d/cTbydMN

I WONDER IF by Becky Hemsley

"I WONDER IF"
by Becky Hemsley

I wonder if the moon

Is ever jealous of the sky

I wonder if she ever tires

Of waking in the night

I wonder if she longs to take

A break from making waves

And if she feels inferior

When in her smallest phase

I wonder if she sees the stars

And yearns to be as bright

And if she hates relying

On the sun to lend its light

I wonder if she wants to smooth

The craters on her face

And if she ever envies

All the other moons in space

Yes, I wonder if the moon

Is ever tempted to compare

And if she ever doubts

That she has earned her place up there

But most of all I wonder

If she's ever realised

That she's the one who wows us

Every time she's in the sky

*****

Our own magic is often the most difficult for us to see

Becky Hemsley 2024

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Lovely artwork by @illustnation.nakata on Instagram

Monday, 10 June 2024

COFFEE, EGGS OR CARROT

"COFFEE, EGGS OR CARROT"

(author unknown)

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee. You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each pot on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.

In the first she placed some carrots, in the second she placed some eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked,

"Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked,

"What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity. Boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you when the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be COFFEE

THE MEMORY CATCHER by Joanne Boyle

"THE MEMORY CATCHER"
by Joanne Boyle

The Memory Catcher.

She stood at heavens doorway

with her little fishing net.

Waiting for the memories

from those who won't forget.

She loved the role she played.

The sky was always full.

The memories kept on coming,

Yet her net was never full.

Once they were in the net,

they would disappear.

Sent on to heavens angels

from those that were near.

Some were bigger than others.

She loved to catch them last.

They came with the such emotion

from stories of the past.

Some were only small.

Too painful yet to face.

But still the memory Catcher

sent them to the right place.

Her favourite ones of all

where the ones that she'd seen grow.

Because she knew her angel friends

were now down below.

********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art Steffi Krenzek

JUST LIKE FRANK

"JUST LIKE FRANK"
(author unknown)

A man walks out to the street and catches a taxi just going by. He gets into the taxi, and the cabby says, “Wow, perfect timing. You’re just like Frank.” The passenger asks, “Who?” The cabby explains, “Frank Feldman. He’s a guy who did everything right all the time. Like when I came along just when you needed a cab, things happened like that to Frank Feldman every single time.” The passenger remarked, “There are always a few clouds over everybody.” “Not Frank Feldman. He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand Slam at tennis. He could golf with the pros.

He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have heard him play the piano. He was an amazing guy.” The passenger said, “Sounds like he was really something special.” The cabby replied, “There’s more. He had a memory like a computer. He remembered everybody’s birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman could do everything right.” The passenger was amazed, “Wow, what a guy!” The cabby continued, “He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good. He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too. He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake. No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman.”

Passenger: “How did you meet him?”

Cabby: “I never actually met Frank. He died and I married his wife.

THE BROKEN BICYCLE

"THE BROKEN BICYCLE"

(author unknown)

A young boy ran his bicycle into a wall and broke it. He felt very sad, helpless and angry. He carried the bicycle to an old mechanic and asked,

"How much will it cost to have my broken bicycle repaired? It is the third time it's broken! It's so precious to me."

The old mechanic examined the bicycle for a while, then said,

"It's badly damaged and would cost you so much money, 20 coins to repair. However, a new bicycle actually costs 30 coins. So, instead of spending 20 coins to repair an old bicycle, maybe you can just buy a new one for 30 coins."

The boy shook his head in disagreement and said,

"No, I want my bicycle repaired, I can't just let it go. I can't accept the fact that it's damaged. I'll pay you the 20 coins to have it fixed."

The old mechanic went ahead and fixed the broken bicycle, spending a lot time. The boy then paid him 20 coins, hopped on his bicycle and rode away.

However, the following day, the boy returned to the old mechanic, saying his bicycle had broken again. With sadness and exhaustion, he asked how much it would cost to have it repaired again.

The old man whistled,

"10 coins. However, your bicycle is old and weak and could develop more problems in the near future. Wouldn't it better to buy a new one which is just 30 coins?"

The boy said disagreeably,

"I don't want a new one. I'll pay you the 10 coins for you to have it fixed."

As soon as the old mechanic finished fixing the broken bicycle, the boy paid him the money and rode away.

Three days later, the boy went back to the old mechanic because his bicycle had broken again. With frustration and despondence, he cried,

"I don't have anymore money to repair the bicycle again. Not even a single coin!"

The old man shrugged and said,

"You refused to buy a new bicycle for 30 coins. However, you've actually spent over 30 coins trying to fix that piece of junk. How wonderful! I guess, that's how life is. We put a lot of effort and spend so much time trying to change and fix things that can't be changed. Instead of accepting the reality, letting go and moving forward, we always want to put the pieces together and control things that aren't in our control. This is a really, really important lesson to learn and the sooner the better. It'll change your life and help you achieve your dreams. You simply can't fix or solve every problems, and trying to do so often just makes things worse. Sometimes, you have to accept the truth, let go of what had already happened and focus on the new things. Yes, new things, just like a new bicycle.

THE FOOLISH OLD FROG

"THE FOOLISH OLD FROG"

(author unknown)

Once upon a time, there was an old frog which was called the Foolish Old Frog. His most prominent character trait was his extremely low intelligence. He had difficulty with just about everything. He always acted in a silly manner that made everyone laughed at him. They considered him a moron and a worthless creature.

Despite his low intelligence, the frog was very kind-hearted, as he often went out of his way to help others, even if he was sometimes oblivious to their problems. He was generous and compassionate.

One day, the king decided to hold a quiz competition among the top five smartest animals. He called all the animals in the kingdom and asked them to select five contestants known for their intelligence.

The Wise Dolphin was the first contestant selected for the competition. The second was the Smart Chimpanzee. The third was the Intelligent Wolf. The fourth was the Brilliant Squirrel.

Now, some animals wanted to mock and ridicule the old frog, so they chose him as the fifth contestant. They all laughed at him heartlessly and began to mumur,

"He is such a fool! He is an old fool! He will never be able to answer the question correctly! He will be humiliated! Hahaha!"

When the five contestants were ready, the king came up and promised that whichever animal won the quiz would be given a huge sum of money as a prize. An amount that could change their life forever.

At that moment, he asked the question,

"Which mammal is known to have the most powerful bite in the world?"

All the contestants became terribly confused. For several minutes, none was able to get the correct answer. They tried and tried, but all to no avail. Just then, the old frog screamed,

"Hippopotamus!"

The king smiled broadly and exclaimed,

"Wow... correct! You won the quiz!"

The animals were surprised and could not believe it. They suddenly felt ashamed of looking down on the old frog. They felt so guilty that they asked for his forgiveness.

Later on, an animal approached the old frog and asked,

"Tell me, how did you know the correct answer to the quiz question?"

He answered,

"I didn't know the answer. It was just luck. I noticed the hippopotamus was eating my cake, so I screamed his name for him to stop."

MORAL LESSON:

Don't mock or look down on anyone for whatever it is they are. You may think you've seen it all, but luck and chance are capable of changing a person's life forever!