THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Saturday, 24 August 2024

"A VISIT FROM MY TWO SONS"

"A VISIT FROM MY TWO SONS"
(author unknown)

At the end of the cold afternoon, I receive an unexpected visit from my two children; one is a doctor, the other an engineer, both successful in their professions.

Less than a week ago I suffered the loss of my beloved wife. I still feel devastated by the loss that changed the course and meaning of life for me….

Sitting at the table in the living room of a simple and simple house; where I now live alone, we started talking, the topic is about my future. A cold runs down my back. Soon they are trying to convince me that the best thing for me is to live in a nursing home….

I react... I argue that the shadow of loneliness does not scare me, and old age much less, but my children insist "worried", they regret that the rooms of their spacious apartments by the sea are occupied and therefore, I cannot be neither with one nor with the other... that's what they say...

Furthermore, my sons and daughters-in-law live very busy, so they wouldn't have time to see me, without counting my grandchildren, they study almost all day, it is impossible.

In my favor, I argue without much conviction that, in that case, they could very well help me pay for a babysitter. In front of me; The doctor and the engineer say that, in reality, "three caregivers in three shifts and all with signed portfolios" would be necessary.

What would be, in times of crisis, a small fortune at the end of each month…

I refuse to accept the proposal to live in a shelter. And here comes another suggestion: they tell me that I should sell the house.

The money will be used to pay the expenses of the home where I will go for a long time, so that no one worries. Neither them, nor me...

I surrender to the arguments because I do not have more strength to face so much ingratitude and coldness.

I close my lips and do not talk about the sacrifice I made throughout my life to finance both of their studies.

I'm not saying that I stopped traveling with the family on walks, frequenting good restaurants, going to a theater or changing cars so that they would lack nothing.

It would not be worth alleging such facts at that point in the conversation. From there, without saying a single word, I decide to gather my belongings.

In a short time, I see a whole life summarized in two suitcases. With them, I embark towards another reality, much harder.

A home for the elderly, far from children and grandchildren…

Today, in the arms of solitude, I recognize that I was able to teach moral values to my children. But I couldn't convey to either of them a virtue called "gratitude."

It's our fault because we are always giving them what they ask for, when we should teach them that they must "earn it"...

As working hard, helping to clean the house, cooking, washing dishes, etc., feeling part of the family nucleus, developing empathy, making them feel that they are loved and respected, so that in their adult stage, they know how to value and learn that things are.

They achieve it with effort and responsibility and show gratitude and love to their parents for having taught them to be good children….

Gratitude must be forged, it is not included in the hearts of humans, unless they have been instilled with love and fear of God first.

They must know that when they become "old" they will want to be well treated by their children and grandchildren. and that is not achieved with money, but with kindness planted in their hearts….

Let's educate our children in values without forgetting to forge bonds of love.

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"IN DREAMS YOU RETURN" by Ann Marie

"IN DREAMS YOU RETURN" by Ann Marie

In the stillness of the night, you come,

Arms wrapped around me, holding tight,

Where warmth dispels the cold of loss,

And love whispers softly in the quiet.

Your kiss, a balm for my aching heart,

A tender touch to heal what’s torn apart,

In the darkness, you mend what’s frayed,

And for a moment, my fears are allayed.

But as dawn’s first light begins to glow,

I reach for you, but find the truth I know—

Death’s cruel hand has taken you away,

Leaving me to face the light of day.

Yet in dreams, you find your way to me,

A gentle presence, a sweet memory,

In these fleeting moments, I feel you near,

And for a time, my world feels clear.

So I thank you for each silent night,

When you return to make things right,

For in my dreams, you’re always mine,

If only for a brief, precious time.

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"FOREVER AND ALWAYS" by Ann Marie

"FOREVER AND ALWAYS"
by Ann Marie

When the stars fade away in the night,

I still hear your laughter, it feels so bright.

In the silence, your spirit is free,

Whispering softly like leaves on the tree.

In my heart, we linger, you and me.

We'll be together again, just wait and see,

No death can divide what you mean to me.

Love doesn't end, it only grows strong,

In every heartbeat, you’re where I belong.

In my dreams, I feel you near,

Every moment, you wipe my fear.

Though the world tries to tear us apart,

In the shadows, I hold your heart.

Time may change, but the love we share,

Transcends the boundaries, it’s always there.

I feel your warmth like a gentle embrace,

In every sunset, I still see your face.

Forever and always, our love will stay.

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Friday, 23 August 2024

"A WALK IN THE WOODS" by John A Elliott 2024

"A WALK IN THE WOODS"

by John A Elliott 2024

In the heart of summer, when the sun generously spills its golden rays across the land, there was a young woman named Elara who sought solace in the embrace of the woods. The city, with its relentless pace, had become a cacophony of sounds and a whirlwind of activity that tugged at her spirit. She longed for a moment of peace, a breath of fresh air, and a place where her thoughts could roam as freely as the wildlife.

Elara's journey began on a well-worn path, fringed with ferns that danced lightly in the breeze. The woods welcomed her with open arms, the canopy of leaves forming a tapestry of green above her head, filtering the sunlight into a warm, dappled pattern that played upon the ground. With each step, the sounds of the city faded into a distant memory, replaced by the symphony of nature: the whisper of leaves, the chirp of crickets, and the occasional rustle in the underbrush as small creatures scurried about their day.

As she ventured deeper, the forest seemed to acknowledge her presence, the ancient trees nodding their lofty crowns as if in greeting. The air was alive with the scent of pine and earth, a fragrance that spoke of ageless cycles and the quiet endurance of nature. Elara found herself drawn to a clearing where the sunlight pooled on the soft carpet of grass, inviting her to rest. She obliged, settling down with her back against the trunk of an old oak, its bark rough against her skin, grounding her in the moment.

There, in the stillness, Elara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the pure air. Her mind, once a whirlpool of thoughts and worries, began to unwind, the threads of tension loosening and drifting away on the gentle breeze. She imagined her concerns as leaves, carried off by the wind, leaving her mind clear and open, a sky without clouds.

Time seemed to stand still for Elara in the woods, the moments stretching out like the shadows of the evening. She watched as the sunlight shifted, the angles changing, painting new patterns on the forest floor. A sense of profound tranquillity settled over her, a realization that here, amidst the trees, she could just be. No expectations, no demands, just the simple act of existing in harmony with the world around her.

Eventually, the sun began its descent, signalling the end of the afternoon. Elara rose from her spot, her body feeling lighter, as if she had shed an invisible weight during her time in the clearing. As she made her way back to the path that would lead her home, she carried with her the serenity of the woods, a serene companion to guide her through the hustle and bustle that awaited.

Her walk in the woods was more than a mere escape; it was a journey to the heart of tranquillity, a reminder that peace can be found in the simplest of places. And as the city lights came into view, Elara knew that the woods would always be there, a sanctuary for any soul that sought the quiet majesty of nature.

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"THE ELDERS WILL SAY"

"THE ELDERS WILL SAY" (author unknown)

1. "A stitch in time saves nine."

2. "Actions speak louder than words."

3. "All good things come to those who wait."

4. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

5. "Birds of a feather flock together."

6. "Better late than never."

7. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

8. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

9. "Every cloud has a silver lining."

10. "Every dog has its day."

11. "Every man for himself."

12. "Fortune favours the bold."

13. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

14. "Haste makes waste."

15. "It takes two to tango."

16. "Kill two birds with one stone."

17. "Let sleeping dogs lie."

18. "Make hay while the sun shines."

19. "Necessity is the mother of invention."

20. "No pain, no gain."

21. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire."

22. "Practice makes perfect."

23. "Rome wasn't built in a day."

24. "The early bird catches the worm."

25. "The grass is always greener on the other side."

26. "The pen is mightier than the sword."

27. "There's no smoke without fire."

28. "Too many cooks spoil the broth."

29. "Two heads are better than one."

30. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

31. "Where there's a will, there's a way."

32. "You can't judge a book by its cover."

33. "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs."

34. "You reap what you sow."

35. "A watched pot never boils."

36. "Actions speak louder than words."

37. "Beggars can't be choosers."

38. "Better safe than sorry."

39. "Curiosity killed the cat."

40. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."

41. "Don't cry over spilled milk."

42. "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

43. "Easy come, easy go."

44. "Familiarity breeds contempt."

45. "Half a loaf is better than none."

46. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

47. "It's no use crying over spilt milk."

48. "Jack of all trades, master of none."

49. "Kill the fatted calf."

50. "Let bygones be bygones."

51. "Look before you leap."

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"TO BE A SMILE" by Dejan Stojanovic

"TO BE A SMILE"

by Dejan Stojanovic

To hear never-heard sounds,

To see never-seen colours and shapes,

To try to understand the imperceptible

Power pervading the world;

To fly and find pure ethereal substances

That are not of matter

But of that invisible soul pervading reality.

To hear another soul and to whisper to another soul;

To be a lantern in the darkness

Or an umbrella in a stormy day;

To feel much more than know.

To be the eyes of an eagle, slope of a mountain;

To be a wave understanding the influence of the moon;

To be a tree and read the memory of the leaves;

To be an insignificant pedestrian on the streets

Of crazy cities watching, watching, and watching.

To be a smile on the face of a woman

And shine in her memory

As a moment saved without planning.

**************

by Dejan Stojanovic

[Image: Luna (1885) oil on canvas by Evelyn De Morgan (1855–1919).]

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"TOO LATE" by Becky Hemsley

"TOO LATE"
by Becky Hemsley

When we are young, we want to look older.

And when we are old, we want to look younger.

And there is a window in the middle of it all when we’re supposed to look as we wish.

But we waste that time wishing

we were taller or thinner or curvier,

our hair was longer or shinier, curlier,

parts of our body were firmer and perkier

and we’d started to use anti-wrinkle cream earlier.

And by the time we realise we were perfect just as we were,

the window has closed. It is too late.

Too late to realise that all those things never really mattered in the first place.

But it’s never too late to start letting go.

To stop wanting, stop wishing.

It’s never too late to accept yourself.

To look in the mirror and realise that all along, you never needed to look older or younger or anything else.

You just needed to look like you.

*****

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

Fabulous artwork by ChezSimoneTresors via Etsy

'Too Late' is from Letters from Life https://amzn.eu/d/gexttTP

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

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Wednesday, 21 August 2024

"GRANDPA'S HANDS"

"GRANDPA'S HANDS"
(author unknown)

Grandpa, who was in his nineties, sat quietly on the patio bench, staring down at his hands. He didn’t move or speak, just sat with his head bowed, focused on his hands. I joined him, but he didn’t acknowledge me. As I sat beside him, I began to worry if something was wrong. After a while, I gently asked, "Are you OK, Grandpa?"

He lifted his head, smiled warmly, and replied, "Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking."

"I didn’t mean to disturb you," I said, "but you were just sitting here staring at your hands, and I wanted to make sure you were alright."

He smiled again and asked, "Have you ever really looked at your hands? I mean, really looked at them?"

Curious, I opened my hands and examined them, turning them over, palms up, then down. I hadn’t really thought much about my hands before, and I tried to understand what Grandpa was getting at.

Seeing my confusion, Grandpa began to share, "Take a moment to think about your hands, how they’ve served you throughout your life. My hands, though wrinkled, shrivelled, and weak now, have been my tools for living. They’ve fed me, clothed me, and allowed me to embrace life. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They’ve been dirty, scraped, raw, swollen, and bent. They fumbled when I held my new born son for the first time. Adorned with my wedding band, they told the world I was married and in love. They trembled as I buried my parents, my spouse, and when I walked my daughter down the aisle. These hands have covered my face in sorrow, combed my hair, and bathed my body. They’ve been sticky, wet, broken, dried, and raw. And even now, when the rest of me doesn’t work as well as it used to, these hands still hold me up, lay me down, and fold in prayer."

He paused, then continued, "These hands are the story of where I’ve been, a testament to the ruggedness of my life. But most importantly, these hands will be the ones God takes when He leads me home. With these hands, I will touch the face of Christ."

His words left me in awe, and I knew I would never look at my hands the same way again. When Grandpa passed away, I remembered how God had taken his hands and led him home. Now, whenever my hands ache or are sore, I think of Grandpa and how his hands were held by God. I, too, hope to one day touch the face of God and feel His hands upon mine.

Let us all take a moment to pray for the world and witness how God answers our prayers.

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

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articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available
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