Monet's Water Gardens at Giverny France
October 2, 2017
“All day I try to
say nothing but thank you,
breathe the syllables in and
out with every step I take” – Jeanne Lohmann,
"To Say Nothing But Thank You," Shaking the Tree
Joy flooded me the first time
I read these words. They resonated within my soul. I have tried to live them
even when tragedy strikes and the future appears uncertain and even
frightening. “Thank you” for the beauty that surrounds us, the wonders of
the natural world, the good and compassionate people that surround us, life and
death and everything in between. To say “thank you” is to pray. It is hope and
belief, courage and healing.
Life picked up speed soon
after I last wrote and the dust billowed
up clouding my sight. Serious health issues and the sale of both our
homes--one in Florida and the other our dream home on Lake Superior-- exhausted
us as we said goodbye to old friends and raced to sort, sell, or give away the
too much stuff we’d accumulated throughout the years, especially the thousands
of books we’d collected. The state of our nation and conditions throughout the
world overwhelmed me I found it impossible to think creatively or communicate
with others in a meaningful way. Hence my lengthy silence.
The surgeon told me it could
take up to a year to recuperate from heart surgery and I found this true for
me. Gradually, light returned to my spirit, and I finally feel myself again.
Contrary to my expectations -- how does one leave paradise? -- I discovered I
liked our new home. A well-run and lively apartment complex, a spacious and bright apartment, a welcoming group of
seniors, nearby parks, shops, and all the cultural and social amenities the
Twin Cities offer, not least of which is easy access to nearby medical care.
The latter is one of the primary reasons we moved. During the nineteen years we
lived on Lake Superior’s north shore we aged without worry until the day we
discovered we were old.
Lifting my spirits were three
weeks in Provence and Paris. Sharing one week of that time with my writing
group put wind into my sails and now we are settled in our new place I feel the
urge to return to writing. The first attempt is this newsletter reconnecting
with dear friends like you. I wonder how you are faring. I pray you are safe
and in good health, that you find strength in
times of adversity and rejoice in times of abundance. Thank you for your
support and belief in me.
“Dialogue with the invisible
can go on every minute, and with surprising gaiety I am saying thank you as I
remember who I am, a woman learning to praise something as small as dandelion
petals floating on the steaming surface of this bowl of vegetable soup, my
happy savoring tongue.” Thus ends Lohmann’s poem. I find it delightful. I hope
you do, too.
Beryl is the author of The Scent of God and A View of the Lake. Beryl's Website
1 comment:
I am sorry to hear of your health problems; but we all seem to be aging why faster then we would like. I have loved your creative writing and was looking for more. However your health is more important to me. May God greatly bless you and heal you. Hugs my friend
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