POETRY HEALS

Writing poetry is one way I choose to share and work through my deeper feelings. Recently, Cindy S. and I went to a Poetry Reading at Changing Hands Bookstore. CS shared some wonderful poems about her relationships with her daughters. I shared a poem about a childhood memory. The highlight of the evening was hearing the readings from the Poetry project with the Mayo Clinic Hospice. The patients and poets collaborated on poems that shared their trials and triumphs in life and in facing death. I reflected on my own trials and triumphs and my own feelings of life after death and rejoiced in my testimony of eternal life through temple blessings.




Enjoy the clip! Write a poem!


 
I now have lot's of new material to write about as I am a Grandma as of March 17. A beautiful baby boy was born into our family. He is strong and unique, a creation of mother and father in love. A new journey begins in all of our lives. Resolutions: I'm off to the gym to stay in shape so I can keep up with him! Read and study the gospel more deeply. Be more kind to everyone. Babies are inspiring!

Birth
Inside my swelling belly
Tied to my heart,
Love grew.
Stretched skin itched.
Trust bonded.
Life shielded
Protected Life grew.
Cramps like thunder
Broke life’s water,
Birth flowed.
Lying outside my belly
Severed creation,
Life and love breathed alone.

Who's Your HERO?




I tip toed through the crush of students sitting on the stage and turned off the hot lights steaming the performing students. “Ahhhhh,” the Fourth graders relieved voices meshed with the departing audience. I waved my arms for them to stand up and flashes blinked incessantly before our eyes like Morse code.


As the parents stepped forward to take pictures of the “future American Heroes”, the Fourth graders, so named in honor of the program they just had performed, the applause slowly died down and the chatter and patter of students rising from their seats replaced the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. I blended into the rush of well-wishers. A few “thankyou’s” and “great job” floated by me as parents rushed to take a shot of their own personal hero.


The noise reverberated around me and I trembled with exhaustion from the emotional out-pouring of creating and directing the “perfect performance”. Soaked with exhilarated sweat, I began the methodical task of disengaging cables and cords, basically, of cleaning up the mess.


“Mrs. Hendrickson, Mrs. Hendrickson,” I heard a sweet small voice calling my name. I turned from coiling cables and disconnecting the sound system to see a Kindergartener waving to me. “You’re my hero! Mrs. Hendrickson” he called smiling. I dropped the black cable to the floor and ran over to him. “What did you say?” I asked unbelievingly. “Mrs. Hendrickson, you’re my hero!” I embraced his outstretched arms innocently tossing away the rule of “no contact”. I said, “me?” and the student next to him then repeated the phrase like it was the coolest thing a Kindergartener could say, then beamed at me, “Me too, You’re my hero too, Mrs. Hendrickson.”


The feeling that emanated throughout me is indefinable, floating between awe, joy and gratitude. That a young child of five years old could inspire and reward me so gallantly is amazing in its self. His sweet revelation that I had somehow earned the title of “hero”, check pointed my “I’m so glad it’s over” thoughts and caused me to consider again and remember why I teach school.


Can't wait for Monday!

CELEBRATION

For Christmas I received a gift from my sweet sister-in-law, Suzette and family.  It was a lovely quilted fabric banner using the word, "CELEBRATION".  I hoped to use it soon, but didn't realize how quickly it would be hanging in my front room. Our eldest son, Bryan, was accepted into the University of Arizona, ASU campus, School of Medicine in January. Ecstatic at this opportunity for him and grateful for prayers answered, the sign went up. I left it there for almost a full month and just barely took it down today... and now I'm waiting for another opportunity to Celebrate!