Hello Diane, I can almost taste the pizza, and I can feel the warmth and comfort as you gather with other regulars for a meal and music. I picture in my mind the kind of town many long for, away from city lights, and yet connected to others in just the right way.
Along with our collective aches and pains, we do indeed have blessings others do not. Log on the fire, roof above, a warm comfortable bed, hot soup, afternoon tea.
I too have volunteered, and the reward goes deep to the heart.
I embraced the sun today, for the first time in a while. It was brisk, but it made me feel so alive to get out there again amongst the trees and critters. I feel blessed to be on the mend, enough so that I can venture out and marvel at the wonders He has bestowed upon us.
I love the quote from Mother Teresa. Perhaps the best we can do in these time of chaos, is to render small, random acts of love and kindness to one another, especially the children.
Thank you for sharing Diane…………and
Blessings to one and all this day

Dearest friends, I wrote this poem on Dec. 16, 2012, two days after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
Sadly, we as a country have done very little to stem the tide of mass violence.
I’m not here weighing in with political comment. There is much I could say, and so much more we as a nation could do. For the moment, my one prayer is for God to grant those in power the courage necessary to take the first bold step.
God Bless those we lost in Parkland, Fla.

this work was dedicated to the lives cut short at Sandy Hook

Unbearable Sorrow

I have no words
Only tears
I have no answers
The questions no longer matter
My heart breaks
Little faces smiling
When they were,
Who they were
We will never know
What brightness
They would bring into this world
Their light no longer shines
Save in our hearts
We remember their names
We pray for their parents
Another candle light vigil
A country asks why
God, heal us
Dear Father
Show us the way

T Henry
December 16, 2012

Morning dear friends. As always, my spirits are lifted whenever I walk thru the Lounge door.
Nancy, Sedona sounds wonderful. It’s been too many years since I was last there. My stop there was part of a cross country journey when my daughter Meghan moved to Santa Monica, Ca.. What a wonderful road trip!!
Aine, the John Weiss of the old man and his Lab walking in the snow is so beautiful……..like a time capsule photo of THenry and his pup (although my pal was just a wee bit in comparison).

Counting my blessings……my wonderful daughters, my grandchildren, my docs helping to get me back in the game, and of course my Gratitude Lounge family. Love and blessings this day to each and everyone.
My wish for you dear ones…..rise and meet each day with the strength and courage that He provides. Your burden will never be more than He will allow you to carry. In Him you will find rest, sanctuary, and peace for the physical and spiritual you.

Front Porch

A pitcher of lemonade
Sunday newspaper scattered
Like leaves on the floorboards
My best friend lies content next to my rocker

As I stare out into paradise
I think on all my blessings

Nothing fancy
Just a plain ol’ cabin
In a valley of green
Wrapped in the arms of tall peaks

The days grow short
Autumn’s long since passed this way
Those hills tell me all I need to know
Their heads snow capped now
It’s time to hunker down

Sunset
My best time
Cup of Jo
Last slice of apple pie

My old pal looks up as if to say
Ain’t this a good life?
You bet my friend
It’s the best there is
For two such as we

T Henry
January 27, 2012

Simplicity

For the sake of sanity
Or just because it feels so right
My heart yearns for simple days
Clear and moonlit nites

The trick is, so said the magician
Is learning the art of letting go
We hold on to so much stuff
Soon, the stuff wraps us in a spider’s web
As time passes, we can barely breathe

Once upon a twilight eve
The little boy was heard to exclaim
Where has all the magic gone?
Dragons and witches brew no more
No longer is the damsel waiting to be saved

Where can we find the Dreamweaver’s hidden treasure?
Can it be that this little one has grown so high?
No more the lad with the lantern
In search of adventures on a clear and starry eve

THenry
January 2, 2012

Good morning Grateful and all dear friends. I awoke to several inches of snow and a beautiful blue sky. Time to clear a path and pay a visit to the world outside my door before the white turns to gray, or sooty black.
Time to feed the critters and watch them dance thru a winter scene, from birch to pine. Time to give thanks for my sight, although diminished with the passing of time. Thanks for the sounds of this winter’s day, from the smallest chipmunk, to the hawk soaring so high.
Each day is a new story, or perhaps a poem waiting to spring from the eye, from the heart to share with a friend.
I will embrace today, for looking ahead, I see temps reaching 70 by mid week, with rain washing away winter’s magic. Such as it is in New England.
Happy trails my dear friends. May today be kind and loving to you, and please share your gift of love and caring with others whose paths you cross.

Morning dear Manda. Hoping this morning finds you and Jack in good spirits, ready to embrace the day. I had a good day yesterday thanks to a visit and lunch with my eldest daughter. Weather has warmed a bit in New England, and I am determined to get out there and take my first hike in a month (which feels like much longer). Hoping I get the all clear from the doc next week to come off the antibiotics. Looking at surgery down the road, but for now, I feel blessed to be where I am.
Hugs to you and the bear.

Hi Aine, I love the art work, thank you for sharing. I will Google Weiss to check out his other offerings. It certainly feels like a “good fit” for my poetry. Speaking of which, I am more than happy to share my work. For me, the joy has always been in the sharing.
The painting of this particular man and his companion brought both a smile and tear, for I still mourn the loss of my pal as it’s been but 3 months.
I am thankful each day for the many blessings I have, not the least of which is found in the love and friendship of all of you.
Be well, be at peace

Dear Manda, how I’ve missed seeing you here and reading your poetic view of our world, and this thing called life. You inspire. The love you see all around us and the love you share for this earth, along with the inner beauty we often trip over, but never notice, is something to behold.
It’s been several weeks since I’ve been able to hike my trails. Recovery is happening, albeit slowly. And while I long for and miss my connection to wood and steam, I feel her presence…Dear Manda, how I’ve missed seeing you here and reading your poetic view of our world, and this thing called life. You inspire. The love you see all around us and the love you share for this earth, along with the inner beauty we often trip over, but never notice, is something to behold.
It’s been several weeks since I’ve been able to hike my trails. Recovery is happening, albeit slowly. And while I long for and miss my connection to wood and steam, I feel her presence, hear the magical beauty whenever I read you words.
Thank you for sharing. Blessings on you this day my friend.

Morning Cintia, until she passed in September, my sister resided at a nursing home for several years. Over the course of time, I developed a relationship with the wonderful folks on the activities team, most of whom were members of one family. I truly enjoyed watching the various group activities, esp. during the holidays. My sister Joan was not much for playing bingo, but she loved music (she was the best singer in our family).
As you tell your story, I think back and smile recalling those days and the moments of joy Joan received thru the kindness of others.
Blessings on you and students.

Morning Aine, like Nancy, I wish I could give you the “forgive and let go” potion. I don’t pretend to have deep insight into the human heart or mind. I can only echo Nancy’s sentiments, which are much the same as my own. Forgiveness isn’t a switch…..and all or nothing. It is a slow, and often painful process. For me, it’s happened over time without conscious thought. I don’t recall waking up one morning and telling my dad, I forgive you for being an alcoholic. I forgive you for not being there when I needed a dad, for the little league games you missed. Forgiving and letting go, in my view, are synonymous. All of us carry enough personal “baggage” throughout our lives. If we continue to hold onto the pain and anger from the past, we can never rise above the mire. We will never climb the next hill, and see a New Day. As my sister once said, place the pain, the anger, the lost feelings in the God Bag. Letting go, even a little piece each day is so hard, trust me I know. You have inner strength, beyond your own comprehension. Find the quiet moments life has to offer and tap into that strength. You are never alone in the dark. He is with you. As always, we too are with you. Never look beyond the next bend in the road, but only as far as your next breath, your next step to healing.
Blessings my friend.