Life Train-ing

The tone may seem a bit ominous, but this poem is mostly a reflection upon our inability to control circumstances in life. Of course, we still need to participate fully, learning and growing as we adjust to situations not of our choosing. Faith is key. As Rick Warren said, "Life…is a journey of discovery. There are moments on mountain tops and moments in deep valleys of despair. Transformation is a process." (Still, those train rides can be pretty scary when you don't know where they're going!)

Life Train-ing

©2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

A new train chugging round the bend.

I wish I knew where it would end.

So much momentum, smoke and steel,

unstoppable from stack to wheel.

High in the air, it hugs the rail,

accompanied by high-pitched wail

to destination still unknown.

The captive pilgrim rides alone.

When I was young, I could pretend

that every train would count as friend.

But now I parse each sway and clack.

I've been on trains that jump the track

or stay the course disaster chooses.

Minus faith, the rider loses.

All aboard! It's time to ride.

The trains keep coming. Step inside.

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Wonderful Women

My cute mom with one of my sisters 

When it comes right down to it, a lot of us would say our moms are pretty great. Mine, however, is in a class by herself. (I may be a bit prejudiced on this point.) Tomorrow she will be 88 years old, and my siblings (including the one pictured above) and I will be spending the weekend with her to celebrate. Needless to say, we are all looking forward to the occasion!

As you can see, Mom looks terrific. I wish she felt equally terrific physically, but as you can see, she chooses to go through life with a smile on her face….enjoying her family and friends and living in the moment. She has had a year of great struggles and great blessings, but I'm sure she would say the blessings have won the battle for her heart. You see, in the past year she has become the proud great grandmother of three sets of twins. That's right, THREE sets! Can you imagine?? I don't think she ever did, not in her wildest dreams, but that doesn't stop her from being the proudest "GG" ever…and certainly the best!

The darling two-month-old twins contributed by my daughter are pictured below:

 Melina

Alcide

I'd show you the other two sets of twins as well, but their grandma (another of my sisters) doesn't like having family photos on the internet, so you will just have to imagine how cute they are (two boys, and a boy and a girl). Our family has been richly blessed this year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM. 

Sure do love you.

=)

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Easter: The Spring of Hope

Easter: The Spring of Hope

c2015 Susan Noyes Anderson

Come, celebrate the joys of spring,

bright days of reawakening,

when spirits rise from winter long

to soar on wings of sweet birdsong.

The season is awash in light--

blue skies enhanced by clouds of white

and colors flung across rich earth

to flood the world with signs of birth.

As daffodils wake from their rest,

a feathered mother builds her nest.

The ebb of life renews again

from sunlit field to wooded glen.

What better time to set our hearts

on gifts and blessings God imparts--

the greatest of them Jesus Christ,

who saved us with His sacrifice.

May every thought be turned to Him

in whom our hope need never dim;

and may His swift, surpassing peace

grant every wayward soul release.

HAPPY EASTER!