Thursday, July 21, 2022

Attitude Of Gratitude

Past the sorrow of losing my service dog, Ladron, past the rapidly increasing infirmity of cancer (Barb needed to replace a ceiling fan, and I can no longer climb a ladder to help...but I COULD read her the directions), one still needs to cultivate the Attitude of Gratitude.

So, this is for Barb, with love.

She walks like a happy camel,
has the style of Superfly;
hair is cut like skater, Hamill,
soft brown eyes for which to die.
She can raise your spirit higher,
just like falling off a log,
when she sings in the church choir,
sounding like Kermit the Frog.
As caregiver she's a collie
faced with some unruly sheep,
but remaining ever jolly
'fore dawn when she'd prefer to sleep,
and as accountant (more than grace and looks),
she can really cook the ledger books!

Now don't you wish YOU had married a poet?

The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is CHANCE.

Another one for Barb.

If you had another chance,
a second try at What To Do,
would you change things to enhance
the life of years that you'd walk through?
For my part I am truly blessed,
but as a spouse I think I've failed,
lost the paper for the test,
and I'm just glad you haven't bailed.
Every court must have a jester,
and daily, here, I am class clown,
but in despair, regrets do fester,
and cancer's got me feeling down,
but then your smile shines through our pain
to say you'd do it all again.

Five minutes, just barely.

Music from the OC Supertones, with "Superfly".

Sylvia wonders if she can eat ice cream while rolling her eyes.














32 comments:

  1. What a lovely poem about Barb. Thinking of you and your battle today. May God give you strength!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lauren, thank you. In marriage and in life I have been truly blessed, and this blessing is my strength.

      Delete
  2. Barb sounds like a wonderful woman! I'm sure you have shared both laughter and tears - all the years. May you have a grace-filled day, Andrew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, she is indeed wonderful. I thank the Lord every day that she said Yes...twice! Yes, we were divorced...my fault...and remarried.

      Delete
  3. Every word radiates love! Take care of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, thank you. I walking Love, both eternal and temporal.

      It's a beautiful life.

      Delete
  4. Barb sounds like one very committed, loyal, and loving wife. I am thinking it was not by chance that you found her. God knew exactly what you needed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne, you're so right. We met on a Catholic singles website; she had just joined, and I was about to quit.

      We survived a nasty divorce...my doing ..and remarried, within the Church.

      God's hand is in all of this.

      Delete
  5. Barb sounds like an absolute gem! God's hand is obviously on your marriage. May you continue to be blessed together.
    Just stopped by from FMF #12

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heather, you're exactly right. Barb IS a gem!

      Delete
  6. I'm glad you have Barb alongside you on this journey. I love the poem!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lesley, Barb is indeed a blessing, every step of the way.

      Delete
  7. You're lucky to have each other. It's been a tough row to hoe but you've stuck with it through everything. I'm so glad you have. I'm sorry about Ladron.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My dear Norma, it has indeed been a hard road, in many ways harder than I could imagine, but I would do it again.

      And about Ladron, thank you. One develops a bond with a service dog, and I still see her everywhere.

      Delete
  8. I'm sure Barb is equally grateful for you. Wishing you both every blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This life is messy and it is great to have someone on the trail with you, many blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Messy is the word for it, Rhonda! But being blessed in the mess, that's worth it!

      Delete
  10. So beautiful Andrew.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Barb sounds like a wonderful person and wife. You are blessed--and I think she has been too even though this is probably not the journey she (or you) signed up for when you got married. Love your poems, except I'm sure Barb does not sound like Kermit the Frog when she sings, LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grams, she is indeed a treasure, and you're right, it's not the life she anticipated.

      She doesn't sound like Kermit, really. More like Big Bird. Seriously, she has a great voice.

      Delete
    2. Contraltos can croak, growl, and sometimes make others tremble. 🙃

      Delete
  12. I greatly admire and thank God for both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm rather late getting around to reading the link-up but glad I did....your sweet prose for Barb made me smile! Would love to hear her poem to you:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer, thank you! I'm not sure what her poem might say... but it would be interesting!

      Delete
    2. Barbara here.
      A poet I'm not but here's my tribute.

      He swung into this life unexpectedly.
      Taking the shy from most my being as I fought all the way.
      Pushing precise concepts to a new edge.
      Requiring growth and expansion of body, mind, and soul.
      When calm seems to be on a horizon, choas is always near.
      Although calm someday may come, his wisdom I pray to hear

      Delete
  14. Love both of these tributes to Barb, who is clearly an absolute gem. Blessings on both of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kym, she is definitely a gem!

      Blessings back, from both of us.

      Delete
  15. That's beautiful, Andrew. You are both very blessed, even in the midst of many struggles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kath, I often think of Lou Gehrig'd famous speech, and sincerely consider myself the luckiest man alive.

      Delete