I came across a blogger today who has written something that I consider to be so lovely that I asked her permission to share it on my blog. She gets lots of readers on her blog, but including it here might allow a few different readers to see this poem as well!
I titled my blog ThanksFor2Day because I wanted to have a place to specifically write down my blessings. But since its inception, it has changed and evolved to include much more than my original intention--and I know I don't show my thankfulness as often as I should! So, I consider it a huge blessing that Shady Gardener of Does Everything Grow Better In My Neighbors Yard? is willing to share with me her beautiful poem, and that I can put it on my thankfulness blog! I am so happy to share it with all of you and I say, thank you to Shady G. for writing it:)
The driving snow is like a mist,
I cannot see but quite –
The trees across the backyard,
Are finely dressed in white.
December’s gift, sight to behold,
I cannot get it right –
Am I gladsome, am I not?
As gusts whisk flakes in flight…
I then inspect from inside out,
My heart has reached its height –
The beauty-gift I love the most -
The arms of friends held tight.
So then I utter “Thank you”
To the One who offers bright;
Truth and beauty to absorb
And Self throughout the night.
by ("Shady G")
December 9, 2008
Jan,
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures, prose, and poem.
...what is the bird on the feeder with the cardinal?
~Aerie-el
Jan,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem. I know that I have much to thankful for, too.
Thank you and Shady G for sharing.
Cameron
Thanks for sharing Shady's lovely poem Jan. And you do give thanks in all your posts, very nice this life we lead.
ReplyDeleteAerie-el, it is a goldfinch along with the cardinal:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tina & Cameron!
Jan, a lovely post as always! I enjoy coming here for the quiet inspiration and your beautiful pictures. SG poem is beautiful, thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI am very thankful for all the blessings in my life. I just don't say it often enough.
May you have a blessed New Year!
Hi Jan! I enjoyed that poem on Shady's blog ~ it's definitely one worth repeating. Glad you had a nice Christmas ~ Happy New Year! btw, those squirrl photos were too cute (and funny)!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely Jan - Shady's poem brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Thanks for passing along that poem (I must be one of the only ones to have missed reading that blog) and for visiting my blog. We're all connected now - that's the best part of this blogging stuff...
ReplyDeleteJan, I am humbled. You did a beautiful job of illustrating with your photos. We indeed have much for which to be thankful! :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely sentiments.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very uplifting post...thanks.
Been by to see Shady,she's a poet.
I hadn't read that, either. I can relate to it. I think it's easy to forget to be thankful and to feel the joy and peace that is ours through God's grace and forgiveness. We are forgiven for that, too.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't see all of your pics. There were question marks in some of the spaces. I'll check back later.
Sue
Hi!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and the poem is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for stopping by my place. I'll keep the info in mind if my Black-eyed Susan's start getting out of control.
Sherrie
Beautiful words, perfect for this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family
A very lovely poem - Shady's poems are always beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour cardinals are so bright and Christmasy - I've never had one to my feeder, though they occasionally grace this area.
my thanks to the Shady gardener too! Lovely poem! BTW, Jan. I never grow tired of your bird photos! Would love to see more of them in future posts. They always look so cute and cuddly!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Jan, and thanks to Shady Gardener for such a beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteI thank the blogging world, too, for giving me a different outlook on my world. Photos like yours of the birds make me pay attention to all the little details around us all the time. I find I am much happier and more peaceful when I take the time to really notice the beauty all around.
It is wonderful to give thanks for the many blessings that we are given. In our busy lives it's very easy to let that thought escape from us. I've been dwelling on negative things once again and decided that now is a time more than ever that we should stop to count our blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you shared you photos and the lovely poem. We all have much to be thankful for including our blogging friends.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
To all of you: I so appreciate your comments and I'm glad ShadyG's poem was able to be honored this way. Thanks so much for coming by...sorry if I don't respond individually to you all, but each & every one of your notes are special to me:) Jan
ReplyDeletePS to Sue: I don't know what's up with the photo's not showing? Is that still a problem today? Hmm...
I was able to see them now. I love the one of the bird in flight. I feel the same way Rose does about noticing the beauty and details of things around us because of blogging.
ReplyDeleteJan, thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and bringing ShadyG to my attention.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful shared post, Jan. (My, Shady has a gift with the pen as do you!) I recently again watched ~ Life is Beautiful (La Vita è Bella) ~ perfect for focusing on your well-written words regarding appreciative people, "who, by giving and showing thanks for the life and love around them, unknowingly touch me -and others- in the process!" Wishing you a blessed New Year ...
ReplyDeleteDear Jan,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
Lovely photos. I think we learn to walk in gratitude. It is a grand walk too. Always so much to be grateful for!
Namaste,
Sherry
That is an amazing red bird! we don't have those here in England. What is it?
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for your lovely comments!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to the last question, the birds are a goldfinch and a male cardinal.
I enjoyed the poem...twice now, as I read it on Shady Gardener's blog.
ReplyDeleteYour bird photos are just gorgeous...I especially love the last one.
Hello Jan my friend, great word and perfect bird picture as always!
ReplyDeleteAre you ready to celebrate? 2009 tomorrow! I wish you and your family to have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! Lots of Love TYRA
I'm glad you put the poem here. It's very appropriate for the turning of the year.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for 2009.
Lucy
This is a beautiful poem! Thanks for spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a blessed and bountiful 2009, Jan!
Wonderful photos and poem. Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAiyana
every day that we have is a gift. life is precious and so every moment is to be treasured, thanks for sharing this beautiful thought.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Jan! Thank you so much for your visits to my blog and for leaving your comments. They mean so much to me. It has been a pleasure getting to know you.
ReplyDeleteIt does take up a lot of time to post, especially when several photos are included. I'm going to try and blog more regularly.
So many wonderful visitors and comments! I appreciate all of you great garden bloggers and enjoy visiting each of you!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2009 to everyone out there who reads my blog :-) May it be smooth sailing all the way ;-)
Jan, your blog is like reading a daily devotional, which I don't do because they don't have PICTURES! What a cure for the grumps (and did you really take that picture of the x-rated squirrels? Kudos, girlfriend!)
ReplyDeleteThat was lovely, Jan. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think that enjoying life and glorying in all that we see is also thanks of a kind.
I for one know that I'm lucky to have so many blogging friends all over the world... something that my grandmother couldnt have even dreamt of. And I'm truly thankful for that.
Happy New Year, Jan.
*Yes, I really did take those x-rated photos of squirrels on my bench* (face red with embarrassment)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful poem to read this morning. Reading your wonderful blog is a great way to start any day!
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, and I wish you all the best in 2009!
:)
Philip
Hi Jen
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely family you have.
Now I have succeeded whith adding your blog into my bloglist.
It´s easyer to look into you blog that way.
Greetings
Gunilla in Sweden
Jan, thanks for reminding me to be thankful! And yes, I think the second bird photo is a Pine Siskin - the yellow in the wings, the notched tail and the pointy bill are good field marks. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely poem, and thanks for sharing it. And I love the birdies too. Your gratitude is catching!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful visit to your blog today and always.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Jan.
ReplyDeleteMay 2009 bring you much joy and love. XXOO
ola
ReplyDeleteseu blog e lindo ,tem belas fotos e plantas maravilhosas parabens