Month: February 2018

Dreams

Jeanne Leave a comment

It’s been a week of feeling old…I finally admitted to myself that I should get my hearing checked, and I was told that I have hearing loss, which is no big surprise because that’s why I went in. By the time I got done, I felt stupid for going in at all, and dismayed at the costliness of hearing aids, and their apparent short life. Accepting limitations is a tricky road to walk.

When the distance behind is greater than ahead.
And we measure that which might have been,
Against the clock of hours left,
And find we face an unkind choice of holding on
To dreams we know will never fly as we had hoped,
Or sweeping them from our view–under carpets–forgotten,
Until the day the house is cleaned,
When remembrances will prick the heart,
Where fragments of forgotten loves,
Have lain dormant for too many seasons,
And now have lost the strength to grow and flourish,
Never to match the youthful vision
That so powered mind and body in days gone by.


http://www.lds.org/ensign/2018/03/i-still-have-something-to-give?lang=eng
The link above is an article about feeling old and useless. I loved the lines from the poem by Leonard Cohen.

Paranoia

Jeanne Leave a comment

The over-riding topic of recent days has been the school shooting in Florida. There is an overwhelming frustration and exasperation with the seeming inability to be able to predict and/or stop them from their ever increasing occurance. I read a blog this morning that rings true to me. The solution lies in all of us noticing and reaching out to individuals who are found on that downward spiral of isolation. Engaging them and reaching out can be, and usually is most terribly uncomfortable, and, hence, rarely done. Perhaps we could all widen our scope a little. We can be a little braver; we can all care just a little more.

Within our circle of friends
We feel both safe and sure.
We share our love with those most dear
Each and every morn.
But when we leave our own friends and family,
We find a world of strangers
All clad in mystery.
And in a world of swollen fears
And cold reality,
A mother holds her baby near
In anxiety.
For who knows where the danger lies;
The seen or the unseen?
What monster hides behind the eyes
Of someone’s twisted schemes?
And I refrain from talking to
A child I find alone.
For paranoia touches all;
The babe to the full grown.
How can I control my fear
When hate appears so strong?
I’d sing a fearful song
And life would be too long.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-01-0030-become?cid=HP_TH_15-2-2018_dPFD_fMLIB_xLIDyL1-C_&lang=eng

Let’s talk about this. Let’s have a civil conversation about a difficult subject. Talk to me.

The Lower Lights

Jeanne Leave a comment

Last week’s post spoke of the lighthouse. They have always been so symbolic to me….lights shining in the darkness, guiding lost and storm tossed souls. There is a hymn in the LDS Hymnbook, #335, entitiled “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy”.

Apparently, to mariners who depend upon lighthouses to find their way, there are lower lights upon the shore that help to direct ships into a proper channel to reach the shore safely. Without them, there is just the lighthouse, the final destination, but of no real help to navigate the reefs and shoals that may lie near a safe harbor.

The first verse reads as follows:

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From the lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

It is easy to be so tired, so discouraged. Problems are so prevalent around us, and our meager efforts seem so futile. Perhaps it would do us well to reflect upon times when we have been in need of encouragement; when our souls have been sinking, and then we have been rescued by some small act of love–maybe just a hug, or a phone call, or a listening ear. Let us not let our lower lights dim. Keep them shining, keep them bright, and, be assured, someone is going to see and be rescued.

When Trials Come

Jeanne Leave a comment

Seems that I am always trying to say something profound, especially to my children and grand children…something that is definite and final, that which tips the scale and as a result they are able to make good choices and avoid all that is out there; and there is a lot out there to run from: drugs, alcohol, gangs and all that comes with that, peer pressure, and those who have evil intentions but wear sheep’s clothing and are able to deceive so many of our youth, and adults as well. But, alas, I’m still writing. I’m sure that my life will run out before I can accomplish the influential things I desire.

This poem is written to youth, and dedicated to light houses everywhere; those beacons, not unlike our own porch light that remains lit until the last have entered in for the night. A light house says, “Come Home!”…and when you are there, you are warm and safe.

When trials come upon us, they come in many ways.
We each face many choices through dark uncharted haze.
We each can pray for guidance to help us through life’s storms.
The Holy Ghost will guide us and keep us safe and warm.

And when we near the harbor, look for the lights on shore.
They’ll guide us to the channel, safe from the oceans’ roar.
The light house calls to us and shines pure, straight and true.
Through all our hardest trials, Christ’s love will see us through.

Now, child, you sail through waters where we have never gone.
We pray that Christ will bless you and your family will grow strong.
God gives to each of us weakness to teach us humility.
Remember to turn to Christ and His strength will set us free.

Pray for the strength to do the things that you’re inspired to do.
Don’t run faster than the spirit’s voice, or you won’t hear what’s true.
Take time to serve in sacred things and God will guide your way…
Like prayers, church and God’s holy house, and you will reach the bay.

Now, children, you know we love you from the bottom of our hearts.
We strive and pray for you and hope you’ll do your part.
We sense the heavy burdens that you are called to carry through.
Our prayers, hope & faith call for our Lord to comfort you.

This is a painting I created after our 2014 Oregon Coast trip. It is a composite of seascapes from Bandon, Cape Blanco, and even from a previous vacation to Pigeon Point in California.

The following message (about 2 minutes) speaks of light houses and youth:

http://www.lds.org/youth/video/this-way-to-safety?lang=eng