Dad, Just Being Himself!

Dad -  Just being himself!

 

Is that you Dad? 

As I sat here thinking about my dad, I suddenly heard, 'Ah, How's my little darling dumpling?' and a warmth filled my heart.

This silly little nickname that our dad had given us girls, always made us smile and feel loved, no matter what antics we had been up to or how intense our squabbling; We were still ok - we all knew how much dad loved dumplings!  Just hearing it in my head has caused me to smile once more, and to reflect on how difficult it must have been for him to pull out funny one-liners or to soothe us with his songs, on days when life was far from easy, but gifts like those make wonderful, uplifting memories.  They are a powerful healing potion for bruised and battered egos that are determined to hang on with all of their might to hurts that were suffered over the years.

One of the most important and difficult jobs that a Dad has to do is to love himself for all that he is and in spite of his faults, to open himself up to being vulnerable and then letting others see him for who he is, with all of his spots.    It sets a humble example for his children who need someone to accept them as individuals with their own endless potential - potential that they will feel encouraged to develop, because they are loved unconditionally for who they are.   Children need parents who are strong, in many ways, when they are coping with life's storms,  and there is great strength in humility, in kindness, and in being able to maintain a good sense of humour -  wonderful weight-lifting tools that Dad used daily!

   I believe that our loved ones are never really gone from us, and it's always a wonderful affirmation when they tap us on the shoulder or whisper in our ear, and remind us of their presence:

"When lightening charges

With its sword of light,

And cuts a wound

In the peace of night,

And shakes you awake

With a thundering quake,

Just close your eyes

And hold on tight.

When the sky grows grey

And opens its taps,

And shouts so loud

That the clouds collapse,

You needn't fear,

For I'm always near,

I'll be holding your hand

When the thunder claps!"

Digging Out My Wings!

Digging out my Wings!

'Angels Watching Over Me' - I pulled out Amy Grant's CD this morning, and was listening to it as I went about cleaning the dishes, and thinking about cleaning the rest of the house.  Here I am, an hour later,  still thinking about it  - the song and the cleaning!  The whole subject of angels walks the fine line between hope and skepticism.  A very wise and beautiful aunt recently sent me a card telling me that she has become more aware of her own guardian angel watching over her and inspiring her with encouragement, wisdom, and an awareness of God's loving protection as she struggles with the challenges both physically and intellectually of her aging body.  She sent the message to encourage me and mine to not give up hope - to know that we are each much loved and worth so much more than our human minds can fathom. 

Rather than making ourselves and others sick with gloom and doom thoughts, worries about loved ones or about  the sorry state of the world, I have been reminded, once again, to pull up my attitude.   We are not alone, and we are really not in charge, no matter how many gurus give us the opposite message.   Rather, we are precious children all, big and small,  short and tall, and we all need help when we stumble and fall. 

Whether you believe in angels or not, the truth is that without hope, this life has no meaning, so we should welcome its messengers, whatever form they take:  angels, friends, or strangers with kind smiles and actions, who carry it with them and pass it on to us.

I usually grope, eyes half open, towards that first cup of coffee to start my engine each morning - Perhaps I should be reaching first for the hands of my Guardian Angel - hands that have been given a very busy task list, watching over me!   In gratitude, there is no reason that I can't put on my own small wings of hope and lighten someone else's journey today. 

 Pass it on - halos are optional!

The Skeptics' Dilemma

The Skeptics' Dilemma

 

Skeptics come, and skeptics go,

Their mantra being, "It 'ain't so!"

But deep within their hearts they know

That doubt alone is not enough,

That they are made of sacred stuff,

So, on they search for what rings true.

 

Truth is silent, so to speak,

If what is 'so' is what they seek,

Their minds must then in silence meek,

Submit themselves to spiritual realm,

And wrestle God who holds the helm,

And calms the storms that we create.

 

Drop anchor in this sea of doubt,

When our ship of life gets tossed about,

And our spirits writhe and scream and shout;

The rock of faith that lies below

Will aid the seekers of the 'so',

Will hold us firm, and calm our sea.

 

And so, it goes, in our to's and fro's,

In our hope-filled highs, and our let-down lows,

In bursts of light and in dark shadows;

Doubts abound; we're bound to have them,

Searching waters we can't fathom,

We lose our grip on our preciousness.

 

We all are seekers of the 'so',

Searching for the deeper flow,

Hoping that someday we'll know.

Perhaps it's not so complicated,

Doubt is highly overrated,

Truth and love are 'so' related,

Then so be it, for it is so.