Why I Still Smile

Instead of life's joy,
I could speak of loneliness.
It weighs heavily.

There will come a time
to acknowledge the burden
of isolation.

Today I still smile.
Elusive though it may be,
joy as a goal helps.

MS and Childbearing

Families create
the foundational structure
of our existence.

Research demonstrates
MS affects decisions
about childbearing.

MS once again
thwarts life's normal unfolding
unforgivably.

Expressing Gratitude

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.

A Whole Lot of *#@!!

*#@!! *#@!! *#@!! *#@!! *#@!!

It has been that kind of week.
Peace proved elusive.

In a stranglehold,
computer and health issues
vexed and frustrated.

The aggravation
seeped into all parts of life,
compounding the stress.

MS and Aging

MS meets aging,
double teaming to worsen
incapacity.

Inexorably,
age and MS both proceed.
Neither has a cure.

It does get scary
when these unrelenting foes
challenge coping tools.

Blogging Friends

Blessed with blogger friends,
my doors open to the world.
Limits seem remote.

Virtual connections
leap across the synapses
homebound life threatens.

Loneliness tempered,
the social network becomes
transformational.

They Inspire Me

This is bravery:
Mitch and Nicole's honesty
about their ordeals.

This is true courage:
forbidding adversity
to slay character.

Desspite their hardships,
courage and bravery reign.
I feel so humbled.

I have started a list of recent posts by individuals who also inspire me with their honesty about their life with MS:

Robert

Trusting

Trusting the process,
I face the difficulties
while loving myself.

Not suppressing fear,
I benefit from it through
learning and growing.

My inner self grants
the guidance, knowledge, and strength
to empower me.

Inspired by wisdom from Dr. Joan Barice.

Can This Happen Faster?

Visualizing
the brain repairing itself
is not so farfetched.

Hope is rekindled.
Current research promises
regeneration.

Sooner than we think,
the body’s healing prowess
may grant restored nerves.

The Healing Journey of a Broken Vessel

Whence does my hope come?
Why does faith in renewal
remain undaunted?

A broken vessel
containing my life stories
lies shattered and strewn.

New life may emerge
from the shards of brokenness.
Will I be patient?

I Prefer Smiling but ...

Inexorably,
the losses accumulate.
I feel overwhelmed.

Which to lament first?
My body’s steady decline?
Or my caregiver's?

The love of my life
battles old age and illness.
MS consumes mine.

I Marvel

I stumble onward
through a dense fog of fatigue,
managing my chores.

Ever mindful of
pain my steady companion,
I muster true grit.

It is a marvel
how much I do accomplish
despite shortcomings.

Icy Wind

An icy wind blows
in frigid bone-cracking cold,
showing no mercy.

Fleeing the harsh winds,
all living beings scurry,
searching for shelter.

Lower daylight hours
thrust waiting into darkness
even in refuge.

Kindle Edition Available

The Kindle version of my book is now available.  Peace on the Journey is enrolled in Amazon’s Matchbook program. This means that if you already purchased the print edition in the past (or purchase one now), the Kindle price is reduced by 50%.

It has been a remarkable experience for me to read my own book in this new edition. It feels as if I had published it for the first time. Also, in my Kindle library (organized by Amazon), my book “sits” alongside Thomas Jefferson and John Keats. What a thrill!

 

Future Promise

Morning hoarfrost forms
fresh dew frozen on parched grass
before sunlight comes.

A slumbering world
poised to shed its dormancy
awaits light’s coming.

What life may exist
beneath apparent stillness
holds future promise.

In This New Year

May You ... 

Have light shine away
the darkness of your valley
so you can reach home.

Meet along the way
strangers who treat you kindly
 and with a full smile.

Feel deep in your heart
the warmth of those beside you
who also love you.

Remembering

With wisdom and joy,
Patrick Leer and George Bokos
blessed my life journey.

On whatever plane
their lives unfold for all time,
may hardship be trounced.

Their unselfish gifts
bestowed on all who knew them
continue to bless.

International Distribution of Peace on the Journey: Poems

Some international readers have asked why they cannot find my book in their country. To address that, I spent a few hours in the “Academy of International Amazon Book Distribution” and have learned a few things. I have discovered that, though Amazon is working on expanding its distribution, there are still some countries where my book is not available. Among these are Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico, and, surprisingly, Canada and Australia. Since a Canadian friend ordered the book, I assume she bought it from the US site. Perhaps this will change when the book is converted into Kindle format in January, but I am not sure. In the meantime, I’m sorry for any time some of you have spent searching for my book.

The links for the following countries are provided:

 France: Peace on the Journey: Poems

Germany: Peace on The Journey: Poems

 Italy: Peace on The Journey: Poems

 Spain: Peace on The Journey: Poems

 UK: Peace on The Journey: Poems

US: Peace on The Journey: Poems

It's on Amazon!

The book’s available! Here is the link. It is available in both paperback and Kindle editions.

I hope you enjoy the book. Here’s part of the book description appearing on the Amazon page.

“The Peace on the Journey poems explore the theme of renewal in the face of adversity. Life challenges are confronted honestly while hope and joy are also embraced. In these poems, sometimes a smile lifts one past overwhelming struggle. At other times, sadness and discouragement trump easy laughter and resolve. Always, the intent is to handle life with grace, to bear low moments with dignity, and to blunt despair by remaining unbowed.”

If you purchase the book, I would appreciate your leaving an Amazon Customer Review. Thanks in advance.

Thank you also for sharing my publication journey. Your encouraging words have been invaluable.

Nelson Mandela

“… during all my years in prison hope never left me … I did not doubt that I would someday be a free man.”

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers fear.”