Happy Birthday!

 The world celebrates a new year on January 1, but for me the new year is on December 4. This great day marks the day of my birth and is a time of reflection. Thinking about what has past this last year, what lessons I've learned, which hopes were fulfilled and which one still sit on the shelf waiting to be picked. It's been almost a week since this great and terrible day, I still feel like I'm in my early twenties instead of late. I found myself on December 4 eagerly baking and cooking homemade cakes and soups so as to give my friends something pleasing to eat, since many eat out or live on the college stable of Top Ramen. While doing so, I reflected on my birthdays in the last ten years, my favorite has been those I have spent preparing things for others. Making bread, soups, cake etc... leaves me feeling accomplished and productive, not too mention I do enjoy the compliments (wether sincere or affected I care not.) Food is a sneaky and easy way my personality gains appreciation.  People always appreciate good food and it's easier than most people think, it is a huge source of satisfaction to do something so simple, knowing that most people think it to be a very complicated task, then receive praise for doing this simple yet seemingly complex task. Hurrah!  So here I am at the start of another year, in a few short weeks the world will start their new year, resolutions ill kept will be given in abundance by those who would improve themselves in leaps and bounds instead of in small and simple ways. My only resolution is to find those small and simple ways to improve my life, and by consequence, improve the lives of those I know and love. I hope to be able to recognize learning opportunities when I come across them and not murmur or complain because it appears or feels difficult. I hope to remember that I can do hard things and that life is full of so much joy; that like and orange one must squeeze every drop out of it, and by doing so will live a healthier life. I do not regret the life I've lived thus far nor my situation. I can't imagine things being different, tho at times I sometimes wish they were. May everyone on their birthdays, instead of dreading the increasing years, live in such a way that they may glory in a life well spent and look forward eagerly to the blessing in store.

Father Time

Father Time

By Jennifer Faith Wirick

Father Time is his name

It never changes

It's always the same

He went up to a boy one day

Who happened to be blind

And said "Would you like to see the passing of time?

Open your eyes and you will see

What will be, what is, and what used to be

Open your left eye and you will behold

All the beauty of stories of life gone and told

Open your right eye to that so clear

To all the horrors and fears to come 

and don't forget the tears

But it can be changed with the help of someone

Open both eyes

And you will see a world

Filled with gangs, tribulations and tears

Love, lust and fears...

The list goes on 

You live in a world filled

With people being killed

Over petty things

As when someone looks the wrong way

Now my child you can see

Mans  blunder in life 

And all his humility

Now go out and do the same thing

Open other peoples eyes 

And help them hear life's terrible ring."

I wrote this poem for my seventh grade reflections contest. I didn't win, I can better understand now why, however at the time I thought it was a work of art and was astounded to the very core when my name wasn't called at the awards ceremony. However that didn't kill my desire to write poetry and I continued all the way until I was a freshman in college. Though other people raved about my poetry and told me I had talent, I only really like a hand full of them. I may write again someday but first I'll need to review my old stuff. 

Ushering in the Holidays

Although there are many holiday's throughout the year, none are so poignant, so anticipated, and so dreaded as "The Holiday Season." Namely Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving marks the kickoff of the mad rush to show Christmas cheer everywhere except in the stores and on the road. It marks the time of year when the day's are the shortest and emotional and seasonal depression increase, cholesterols raise, waists expand, and anxiety medication is sought after. All for the sake of family and good times. For some people the holidays are a time of anticipation and excitement. It's a time of feasting, sharing, giving and laughing with family and friends. For others it is merely a reminder of what they lack, another day to job hunt, house hunt, another reminder that their life is not how they had always planned or hoped.  Some people live comfortably in either the former or latter example, others bounce between the two, constantly striving for balance and security. May we all remember those this holiday season who's lives and expectations are not what they had hoped. May we all remember to be more gracious, even when we are looking for that special gift, or rushing off to that important party. May we all remember that the presents are not as important as the presence of those we love. May we all remember to help those who are lost to find their way and love all as our Savior does love. Whether your holidays are filled with tears or laughter, or a healthy mixture of both, may you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving (for we all, no matter how low, have something for which to be grateful), and a wonderful and safe holiday season. Just hold on tight, and we'll all make it through together. :-)

The "awe" of life.

I have a single friend around fifty. She's been married and raised her kids but now she is single and once again searching for a companion with whom she can share her life, her joys and pains. I'm not yet thirty, never married and searching for the same. Recently she has found someone who makes her happy, her experience gives me hope. In listening to her speak of her beau and the time they spend and the letters they write, I realized that people don't really grow up. Sure we get older, we take care to fulfill our responsibilities. Somedays we may even "feel old" but somewhere in the world there is someone who has the ability to make us feel young, excited and energized. Someone who helps us to see ourselves as a child of God with exciting and endless potential. Suddenly every dream is possible and the world is at our feet. you can run faster than a speeding bulet and leap over tall buildings. Nothing is impossible. Why? Because someone you care about cares about you. Someone sees the good in you and mercifully overlooks the flaws. Someone who loves you just the way you are and inspires you to be better. How wonderful to know that this joy is not only for the young 20's but can be found at any age. Love and joy is for everyone. We were made to have these things and how sweet it is when it comes into our lives, always when you least expect it.

Be careful what you wish for

en·gaged

 adj \in-ˈgājd, en-\

Definition of ENGAGED

1

: involved in activity : occupied, busy

2

: pledged to be married : betrothed

3

: greatly interested : committed

4

: involved especially in a hostile encounter

5

: partly embedded in a wall <an engaged column>

6

: being in gear : meshed

Clearly this is a multifaceted word, so when using be very clear as to what it is exactly that you are referring to and or wishing for, because I for one do not want to end up partially embedded in a wall, talk about one heck of a headache. 

Faith

Behold the mighty mustard tree. The seed is approximately 2mm in diameter and yet look how big it gets. I would like to think that the human existence is just as impressive. Or at least we have just as much potential to achieve great heights and influence others and progress with and through others. I've heard it said if you have the faith of a mustard seed you could move mountains. No thanks, I like the mountains right where they are actually, and I'm not really sure that's a literal expression of faith; rather I feel it is symbolic. I've never seen a mustard seed move a mountain (albeit I have not spoken with many mustard seeds and mountains are relative to size so maybe it has, come to think of it that way, I think any mustard seed that manages to sprout moves a mountain, relative to it's size of course.) Like I was saying I don't want to move the mountains, not literally anyway. But maybe it's faith in being able to grow, was large relative to it's size. It's faith is simple, if planted and watered it will grow, it believes it and knows it so it acts accordingly. What if people approached issues in their life that way? If we prepare we know we will grow. We will grow to great heights and overcome all obstacles that may come upon us, if our faith was simple and action based. To often I think we feel like we have to do Gods part in our life. We are not in charge of the "hows", we merely have to be in the "what." Our job is to believe, to have faith and act accordingly. Advice which is easy to give, is much harder to follow, instead of growing like the mustard seed we often allow our troubles to put us against the mill and make mustard out of us.  Just remember that you are a seed still and one day with faith and patience, you too can become a mighty mustard tree, giving life, comfort, and joy to those around. 

The Beginning or The End...

Someday is an interesting word with many meanings. To some people "someday" will arrive regardless of what you do or want, it has no meaning and is simply another day. To others it is a dooms day notice that causes them to want to curl in to a fetal position and cry like the emotional infants that they spiritually are. Then there are those that define "someday" as something you either work for with an expectation, or you don't work for it but continue to have the same expectation, however if you don't work for your "someday" then when it arrives it will be different than you imagined. I neither agree nor disagree with these estimations. However, I feel that "someday" is entirely dependent on a goal. For example "Someday I'll go to Rome, Italy." However, if you aren't doing anything today to save and prepare to go to Rome then "someday" will never happen. It then becomes and empty dream, a shell of a wish, a regret of old age. It is necessary for those who use the word "someday" to use today to prepare, to work and to never loose sight of why their "someday" is so important. Ultimately, the first steps to "someday" happen Today.