Hope – Sunshine Lane

If I Could Teach the World to Sing…

Wow! Sometimes I love the internet and sharing things with people around the world. I shared some of my Ireland pictures on my jigsaw puzzle app and got best picture 2 weeks in a row. I didn’t even realize it until later. Then today I suddenly realized I had 247 comments on the same puzzle in at least a dozen different languages!! I’m just blown away by that! I knew I loved the picture, but that so many others liked it too is really cool. (I’m so easily impressed, aren’t I?) This is the photo that has garnered so much interest.

In other news, I found out yesterday that I’m in the top 15% of read reviewers (8992 people) on Trip Advisor because of the places I reviewed while on our Ireland/Spain/England/France trip two years ago.

My point is, sometimes we get frustrated by how burdensome the internet can be and by how we seem, in some ways, to be more disconnected from people. For the first 30+ years of my life, though, I would only have connected with people I met personally or maybe a pen pal in another country through school or something. Now, we live in truly a more connected world. More people are traveling abroad. There are international online communities for nearly every subject or interest known to humankind, news is known almost instantly, and we make friends with people we’ve never met in person. Lastly, through something as trivial as a photo for a jigsaw puzzle, we can bring enjoyment to people we’ve never met and who don’t even share a common language with us.

I’m feeling more connected to the world at large in a positive way tonight than I ever have before. When I was a little girl, I think in the late 1960’s or 1970’s, there was a Coca-Cola commercial that came out on television where people from all over the world were holding hands and singing,

“I’d like to build the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves

I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company
I’d like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills

For peace through out the land
(That’s the song I hear)

I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony…”

That’s the way I feel tonight. Yes, I’m a peace, hope, and love gal all the way to the bone. I feel closer to that ideal than I have in a long, long time.

D. Elaine Wood-Lane

5/24/17

Walking Through Life

I walk through life,
wandering, wondering,
what really matters,
what makes life sacred
and why are so many people
angry and alone?

We all want and need
to be understood,
to be seen,
to be accepted.

What if…
instead of seeking
to be understood,
seen,
and accepted,

We instead choose…
to understand,
see,
and accept others?

What if…
instead of thinking,
me versus them,
or we versus them,
we realize we are
all them?

None of us are so
very different from
one another.

We are all on
a path to learn,
grow, share,
love.

Sometimes on our path,
we find another soul,
at the same place,
at the same time, and…
our soul smiles and…
breathes.

We learn from these souls,
we connect, learn,
grow, share, love.

Then we continue on
our paths, seeking
continually to see more,
learn more, love more.

If we never seek
to understand others,
to see them as we
want to be seen,
and never accept
others,

We will only grow
angry, embittered,
isolated.

What if…
instead we open up,
dare to love one another,
see each other,
and stop the madness?

Let us love one another,
seeking peace instead of
seeking being
right.

For in the end,
“The love you take, is the love you make.”

7/9/16

If you’re like me, you’re so tired of hearing of the hatred and violence on the news all the time. It’s heartbreaking. This poem arose out of that heartbreak. What if we tried something different? Quote at the end is taken from The Beatles’ song, “The End.” I’ve always loved that line in the song. It really resonates with me.

Be At Peace

Though our hearts be sad and gray, let us remember that so far as it depends on us, be at peace with all people. (Romans 12:18).
I leave you this blessing:

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

24 “‘“The Lord bless you

and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”’
I love you all and am praying that the killing stops, period. It is time.

Elaine

Be A Hero!

This is Buddy Lane. He’s nearly 11 years old, weighs 12 pounds, and is a Chihuahua mix mutt who adopted me at a truck stop in Texline, Texas when I stopped there to buy gas and get something to eat. He rescued me on a cold, wintry day for purposes of stress management and love. Today, however, he was a hero to our cat, Missy.

I was sitting in my chair after a shift of caregiving this morning. I was catching up on news, both personal and otherwise and getting very sleepy. From the backyard I suddenly heard the howls and growls of at least two cats starting a fight. I could tell immediately that one of the cats was our Missy, who is at least 10 years old herself. (Isn’t it funny how we can always identify the cries and sounds of our babies and pets, even when there are others crying or howling too?) Buddy went berserk! He ran to the back door and started barking. He ran so fast he ran into the glass of the back door, which is a French patio door. I went to let him out, thinking, erroneously, that the cat fight was over because I couldn’t hear the cats any longer. Buddy shot across the yard to a lilac bush in the southeast corner of our yard and jumped right into the middle of it. He was like the Tasmanian Devil in high gear! He’s growling, barking and chasing another creature, but I wasn’t sure whether it was a cat or a mountain lion. It was that impressive of a fight! Suddenly one of the next door neighbor’s bully cats springs out of the bush with Buddy right behind her, barking all the way. He chased her over the fence and then patrolled the fence for an additional 10 minutes to ensure she wasn’t returning. He then went back to the lilac bush at that point and out comes Missy. She looked embarrassed and shaken up. Buddy immediately goes over to make sure she’s ok, sniffing her all over (his favorite thing!) and then comes towards me with his little chest puffed out and a smile on his face. Yes, dogs smile! He was swaggering like a teenage boy who just got a date to the prom. I was so proud of him!

If a 12 pound, 11 year old little dog can be a hero to others, guess what? You can be too! Don’t just watch others be bullied, cowed, and abused, whether they are next door, two counties over, or even out of the country. Do something! Jump into the middle of that lilac bush and get involved defending and protecting those you love, those you like and even those you don’t know yet! You don’t have to physically fight, but don’t be afraid to jump into the fray and help others. Loving others and being loved back is what being human is all about. Well, that and having babies so the human race can continue, but that’s another issue for another day.

Be a hero to someone today and tomorrow and every day for the rest of your life! Wear a cape and keep it a secret if it makes you feel more empowered, but just don’t stand on the sidelines because you’re afraid to get involved. Pray for others. Encourage them. Find a need and fill it. I promise you there are more than enough needs in this world for everyone to have something to do!

Love to all,

Elaine

P.S. Missy is fine! She’s currently taking a nap under her favorite lilac bush. 😉

Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT)

36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Love Trail/NaPoWriMo Day 27

If I could see you one more time, I would tell you that I’ll love you forever.

I would tell you that, though no longer here, you are still part of my soul.

When I think of you and the great moments we shared, I smile deep inside.

You were so protective; I was a butterfly in your gentle hands.

Our talks and your loving support were worth more to me than much fine gold.

My wings grew stronger because of your hugs, laughter, tears and great wisdom.

One day you flew away on your eagle wings, but you left a clear trail.

I know the way I am traveling; I won’t depart from it, ever.

Especially if it leads me back to you and the heaven of God’s heart.

NaPoWriMo — Day Twenty-Seven: Write a poem with very long lines. You can aim for seventeen syllables, but that’s just a rough guide. I awoke at 3:15 this morning for some reason and parts of this poem were just waiting to be written down so…I accommodated my muse and started writing. This poem started out being about my brother, Joe, who was killed in an auto accident in 1986, but as it continued, it became about all of those who’ve gone on before me to lead the way to heaven. I’ve known so much love in my life and I thank God for each and every person whom I miss very dearly now.

Double Life/NaPoWriMo Day 15

I’ve been married twice,
to two men.

I have two sons,
who were born within two years.

I have two great loves,
God and people.

I also love
color and yarn.

I love two ends of the age spectrum,
old people and babies.

I’ve had more than two troubles,
which always seem to come in threes.

I’ve lost family and friends,
and watched both suffer.

I’ve seen new babies born,
almost at the same time we lost someone.

I’ve seen too many bad things,
but I’ve seen more beauty by far.

Life is a paradox.
It is complicated and simple.

There are days when I want to give up,
but I’ll never give up because life is beautiful.

And now for our prompt (optional, as always). Because today marks the halfway point in our 30-day sprint, today I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that incorporates the idea of doubles. You could incorporate doubling into the form, for example, by writing a poem in couplets. Or you could make doubles the theme of the poem, by writing, for example, about mirrors or twins, or simply things that come in pairs. Or you could double your doublings by incorporating things-that-come-in-twos into both your subject and form. Happy writing!

Pretty Yellow Crocus/NaPoWriMo Day 8

I see you little flowers,
peeking out
of dead leaves!

I’m so glad to see you,
I laugh and smile
with glee.

You are so very brave,
as you stretch
your tiny heads,
weeks before
the other flowers
awake from the dead.

You, my little lovelies,
are the harbinger of spring,
of hope–
for warmer, longer days ahead,
for sunshine, clear skies,
for life!

Joy Comes in the Morning

There is a different quality
In the atmosphere of this morning.
The details of each tree leaf
And grass blade are sharper,
In sunshine that is softer
Than it was even a week ago.

The air smells fresh, sweet,
With a tinge of nip and moisture.
Almost fall, but not quite.

Darkness fell earlier yesterday,
As I prayed fervently and feverishly.

I know all will be well though.
For rejoicing comes in the morning
And shines with love and hope.
This beautiful morning, seen
From my back stoop,
Reminds me that God is faithful
And good and with us all….
Forever and always, amen!

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalms 30:5

The ABC Poem or Abecedarian Poetry–NaPoWriMo Day 10

Today’s challenge is to write an abecedarian poem – a poem with a structure derived from the alphabet. There are a couple of ways of doing this. You could write a poem of 26 words, in which each word begins with a successive letter of the alphabet. You could write a poem of 26 lines, where each line begins with a successive letter. Or finally, if you’d prefer to narrow your focus, perhaps you could write a poem which focuses on a few letters, using words that repeat them.

My attempt at this is a bit crude, but hopefully it still expresses some of my deepest held beliefs and hopes for this world.

The ABC Poem

Always
Be kind,
Caring for others.

Dare to be different,
Experience life,
Fearing nothing while young.

Go where you can, see the world,
Here and yon,
Imagine a life of peace,
Joy and love.

Keep all your promises, and
Love without limits, you’re sure to
Make friends as you go if you do.

Never lie or deceive, and
O’er all your days,
Pray and believe in God, hope, and love.

Quiet is good for the heart and the soul.
Remember, be grateful, and
Sing every day.
Take time to be holy, and
Understand one another.

Voice all your cares,
Worship all day, God will meet you right there.

Xpress through prayer, to
Your God up above, your care for each man, let’s
Zap all the hatred from our hearts and this world.

Gratitude for My Readers and Followers…

See this ridiculous grin on my face? That’s how happy it makes me to know there are people who read my blog and even follow my blog! I can’t tell you how excited I get every time I get a new follower. When I get new followers, I must admit it makes me teary eyed, but also very curious as to why they would follow ME. As I’ve heard somewhere on TV, “I’m not worthy!!” 😀 Truly you honor me with your interest in my writing and I am so appreciative. I’m glad I’ve met so many interesting people here and I love reading your blogs too!

I’m a bit eccentric and write about a lot of different things, but my main goal in writing is to share love, hope and encouragement with others. (The world needs a lot more of those things in my mind!) Poetry seems to be my strong suit, which is good because I absolutely love writing poetry. Poetry is one of those things that transforms my day from routine to mystically beautiful. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and reading my meanderings! I truly do appreciate it!

Peace and Love,

Elaine