“A poem is the very image of life expressed in its eternal truth.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Expressing Gratitude

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Footpath,_near_Lavington_Sands,_Wiltshire_-_geograph.org.uk_-_452152.jpg

I have been lucky.
Others smoothed the thorny trail
of my MS path.

I could have floundered
more than I already was.
They steadied my course.

I am quite grateful
help came when I needed it
at key points in life.

4 comments:

Muffie said...

I always have to remind myself that I need to be grateful and accepting of help when it's offered. I'm glad you had assistance when you needed it.

Gail said...

Hi Judy - it is so good when we can see through the muck and mire of this disease to the gifts and blessings along the way that made our challenges a bit easier. I SO understand this glorious gratitude.
Love Gail
peac.....

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

What would I have done without those around me that did help steady my path!! Love this

Judy said...

This poem came about when I was feeling quite low and felt like writing only of my low spirits. While I am a firm believer in being "real" about the hardships imposed by MS, I also have a "built-in" self monitor which also asks, especially when I feel low, Is there something positive I can find in my experience? And, there was. I remembered how, early in my career (in my 20s), my then boss made sure that I try a short-term hiatus, and not a full-time retirement. His intervention meant I ended up having another 12 years in the work force. When eventually I was forced to retire, another boss stepped in to ensure that my employer grant me long-term disability pay. That intervention kept me from landing in poverty. While the longevity of my retirement along with inflation now test significantly my financial ease, I shudder to think of how much worse I would be now without that boss' intervention. There have been others, as well, who have stepped in to help, and not just in a financial way. Numerous spiritual teachers have helped me to blossom spiritually. To all of these helpers, I express my gratitude.

Muff, I need reminders as well to be grateful. I also need to be more open about accepting help. That is still an issue for me.

Gail, there are gifts and blessings, and I strive to remember that.

Kim, indeed, where would I be without their help?