2011: The year that can’t end soon enough!

This year started out with returning home from a short vacation to Michigan. I was hopeful that 2011 would have lots of good things in store for me and my family. My best friend got married and had her first child. We welcomed another little one into our extended family (my sister’s newest grandchild). My cousin and his wife had their 2nd child. All seemed to be heading in the right direction.

Someone else had other plans. As many of you know, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer on April 2nd. From that point on, my life changed completely. I have spent the greater part of 2011 in tears, stressed out, dealing with Bell’s Palsy, battling depression, almost losing my cat, other family drama that won’t be mentioned in this blog, and am ending the year with an Upper Respiratory Infection. Focusing on the positive has been difficult for me this year.

I lost my job ~ no huge loss to me ~ in August, but have since found gainful employment with the State of Florida in the Department of Corrections. I am grateful for this job and couldn’t have asked for a better boss or group of people to work with. I have found a church that I am happy with and enjoy going to services when I can. I am trying to become a better person for myself, my family and friends, and hopefully for that someone that God has chosen for me (and I hope he shows up soon, lol). Oh, and the world did not end on my birthday this year, lol!

Above all else, I am very thankful that God has a purpose for me and my life here on Earth. What it is I have yet to figure out. I think know the year will end on a positive note! And for the first time, in a long time, I would like to end the year by sending a Birthday Prayer up to my beautiful daughter on what should have been her 16th celebration of life. I never got to know you as God saw that it was not meant to be. I harbor no bad feelings for His decision as I know you are with me all through the year. Someday, we will finally meet and I will get to hold you in my arms. For now, I will continue to hold you in my heart.

Here’s to leaving 2011 where it deserves to be and looking ahead to a wonderful and prosperous 2012!!!

Poem A Day Challenge ~ Days 28-30

The Cat and the Canary

Once there was a cat

Who loved to purr and meow

And also shared a song

With a yellow canary

And though they weren’t playful

They were truly friends.

And though they were friends

This bird and this cat

All they wanted was to be playful

And so the cat would meow

Loudly to the caged canary

And the two would sing their song.

And while it was a beautiful song

That the two shared as friends

The little yellow canary

And the pretty little cat,

While the cat continued to meow,

Found a way one day to be playful.

And now they could be playful

And sing their lovely song

While the cat continued to meow

Alongside his pretty friend

The friend of the cat

Was really a canary.

And though the canary

Enjoyed being playful

With his new friend, the cat

They continued to sing their song

And continued to be friends

While the cat continued to meow.

And while the cat continued to meow

To his pal the yellow canary

And the two became good friends

And found a way to be playful

They still sang their song

The canary and the cat.

I would love to hear the cat and his meow

As he sings his song with the yellow canary

And they become more playful and lifelong friends.

April 28, 2009 ~ Sestina Poem

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Never Mind

…And I was walking along the street

Looking for just the right thing

Are you paying attention to me?

Oh, never mind!

…I was talking on the phone with my friend

And we were making plans for the weekend.

Are you paying attention to me?

Oh, never mind!

Do you like this shirt?

Would you wear those shoes?

What do you want for supper tonight?

Oh, never mind!

Why don’t you hear me?

When will you see me?

Oh, never mind!

I am leaving you anyway.

April 29, 2009 ~ “Never _____” Poem

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Farewell

There are so many ways to say farewell:

Farewell, so long, adieu

Au Revoir, adios, goodbye

Cheerio, aloha, ma’a’salama

Well, you get my meaning.

Farewell is not forever, but for now

We will meet again, I am sure

So until that time arrives for us

I will simply say, “’Til then…”

April 30, 2009 ~ Farewell Poem