” When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.”
- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet (1923)
In February of this year, I took a trip back east to visit family and friends. Unbeknownst to me, the visit would be a tipping point in my life. I, as a human, am deeply flawed. Yet, like most on this earth, I have some redeemable, maybe desirable qualities. For most of us, if we look with discerning eyes, this is a true statement. I am a very fortunate human being, for I have been graced with happiness, health and many friends. The tipping point in my trip was a conscious realization to focus on and celebrate the positive and unique virtues of my family and friends. We can still get angry with one another, but as far as we know, we only go this way one time.
My Mom is imperfect. Aren’t we all? I have never known hunger. I have never known a lack of shelter. I have never known a lack of challenge, and corresponding opportunity. The older I get, the more I enjoy life, and the more comfortable I get with the person that lives inside my skin. All seven of my siblings are alive and physically healthy. We were lucky to be born in a country that endeavors to embrace important, respectful and humanistic values. We were lucky to be born in a time of great resource.
We were lucky to have a Mother that was imperfect, unbending and relentless. Oh, she could piss you off! She is imperfect, as we all are. She was unbending in applying what she thought she had to. And she was relentless in making sure that her eight children had food, shelter, challenge and opportunity. Moms are like no other person in our lives Thank you, Mom.
I have known love. It continues to be the hardest teacher, and the greatest gift-giver.
I have never been poetic, but the following poem came through me as I wanted to celebrate the love and uniqueness of the people in my life. After many years, a one-of-a-kind person inspired me, like no other. Thank you.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom, I love you.
You Are
You are a Gift of the Earth, wise and lit of grace.
A Siren, tempting the heavens,
A Muse of the Heart, inspiring embrace.
You are why Sculptors chisel, Artists paint, and Musicians sing so bright.
You are why Dreamers dream, and Dancers dance,
You are why Poets write.
You are, and so You will always be.
One of a kind, a Child of the Universe forged in the furnace of stars,
Unique, throughout Eternity.
You are part of forever, infinity’s might.
You are Life immemorial,
You are why Poets write.
You are the Light from which All has meaning.
A courageous mirror, a reflection of Your Friends,
A Monument to the Spirit of being.
You are the Song Your Children sing with delight.
You are a Chorus of Your Parents, Your Lover’s complement,
You are why Poets write.
2 comments:
Mark, I have certainly learned the hard way that I have many flaws as well. The good news is it takes a unique individual to recognize them and then want to change them. I believe you and I are such individuals. We live in a world where change is difficult, acceptance even harder. I am grateful you shared your family voyage with us. I enjoyed the pictures. We all have stuff. Embracing the "good stuff" is a gift. . . can be harder with family. Good work.
As for your beautiful poem. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I hope this blog gives you an outlet of expression and provides all of us with an authentic you. Your journey is a blessing to all of us.
Be well. I am open to any kind of discussion. . . even it involves my flaws and the affect of them on you.
:-). L.
Thanks for the quotes and writing, Mark. We need to recognize more reasons for poets to write. See you around this summer and peace,
cari
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