Monthly Archives: May 2015

Having the Courage

Having the Courage

“Fencer,” 1906, George’s Demeny. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Having the courage…The look in my beloved’s eyes conveyed a bravery that I’d never seen in them before.

“When I am most afraid, I become my most courageous.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Having the courage” can potentially lead to many noble and fearless actions.  Some may be as common as boarding an airplane for the first time; others may involve risking one’s life for another.  The first thing that came to my mind when I pondered the phrase, “having the courage,” was a particular memory about my late husband.

Prior to receiving the diagnosis of having tonsillar cancer, Steve underwent surgery to remove the suspicious tonsil.  I remember him noting how strange he though it was that his doctor would tell him that he was “very brave” during the surgery.  Steve remarked that all he had done was lie on the operating table, after all.  It was later when he received confirmation that in fact he did have cancer, that we both realized what his doctor meant when he stated that Steve was very brave.  Thinking back, remembering the moment when Steve relayed the diagnosis of his cancer to me, I got a glimpse of what “having the courage” really means.

The look in my beloved’s eyes conveyed a bravery that I’d never seen in them before.  As he spoke the words, “I do have cancer” to me, a quivering fear caused his eyes to fill with tears, then he immediately composed himself, stoically…and so it began…

Having the Courage

(a poem dedicated to my courageous husband)

To have received such devastating news,

indeed you were very brave, my love.

Your strength, your courage, your determination,

displayed the power that embodied you from above.

Although you suffered, your spirit thrived,

throughout all the discomfort, and the pain.

Having the courage to face whatever might come,

the memory of your bravery, will forever in my heart remain.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave your nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

When life challenges you with difficulties, may you always stand firm, having the courage to face them…remembering that God is always ready and willing to see you through them.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Going Through It

Going through it

“Fontainebleau Forest,” early 1860’s, Eugene Cuvelier. Image from a page of the 2015 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Going through it…it’s not about constantly looking back, thinking of what could have been, or why it’s not…

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” (Author Unknown)

Going Through It

It’s not about living life day after day,

hoping that things will always go your way.

It’s not about dreaming so hard, that all you do is sleep…

It’s about going through it.

It’s not about constantly planning.

trying to keep your life under control.

It’s not about trying to keep difficulties from happening…

It’s about going through it.

It’s not about constantly looking back,

thinking of what could have been, or why it’s not.

It’s not about being afraid to step out into the future…

It’s about going through it.

It’s not about trying to be something you’re not.

pretending to be someone one you were never meant to be.

It’s not about trying to please others; they don’t determine your self-worth.

It’s about going through it…living the life that is “you.”

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Going through it

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

We cannot always know what life will offer to us.  Whether the terrain is bleak, or full and lush.  We rarely have any other choice except going through it.

May you always have the courage to face any challenge and accept with open arms any opportunity that your life is blessed with.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Honoring Others

On Honoring Others

honoring othersA Quote to Carry You

May 25, 2015

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”  Nathan Hale

On honoring others – To honor someone means to respect and recognize them for some exceptional task they have performed.  I doubt that anyone would argue that the most noble act that one can do for another is to lay down his life for them.  So many of our brave members of our Armed Forces committed themselves to doing just that every time they took up their weapons and entered into battle.  As we set aside time for honoring others on this Memorial Day, there is no escaping the solemnity of the ultimate sacrifice that so many willingly gave.  Freedom comes with a price, and the price that so many of our military men and women paid can never be fully recognized.

May you join me in honoring others on this Memorial Day by pausing and giving thanks for what they gave up for you and me.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Words Cannot Express

Words cannot express

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

Words cannot express how I feel sometimes…

“I feel as if my life had grown more outward when I can express it.”  Henry David Thoreau

Words Cannot Express

Words cannot express how I feel sometimes.

Human emotions are so complex; they are difficult to define.

What seems to be the cause of so much joy one moment,

can cause heart-wrenching anguish the next.

How does one formulate that kind of flux into words?

Words cannot express what is missing from my heart sometimes.

Those times when I know there should be  something there,

but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is!

How does one explain what is unknown even to herself?

Words cannot express what I want to say sometimes.

They just don’t even scratch the surface of what’s going on inside of me.

How does one verbalize a pain so deep that it almost disappears because it’s unbearable?

Or when I’ve finally figured it out and my feet seem hardly to touch the ground;

how does one harness that energy long enough to translate to the world how fantastic it is?

Words cannot express who I truly am sometimes.

I am uniquely “me” just as God created me to be.

So do I really need to express myself in words? Is that even possible?

The answer has to be “no,” for words cannot fully express me…

but watch closely and you’ll know me by my actions…by how I live my life.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

“…it’s like I’ve crossed the proverbial line.  I’m not sure where I am going…all I know is that it is someplace deeper.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Speaking – What’s in a word?

Speaking

“In the Conservatory,” c. 1875-78, James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Speaking – What’s in a word?

Speaking has a way of expressing things untold.

Words relayed softly, or in a way that is sharply bold.

No matter what is spoken, no matter why or how,

Speaking to others is what I’d like to be doing right now!

Talking, conversing, stating, uttering, expressing, communicating…

What’s in this word for you?   If you can tell me, please do!

Speaking has become one of my favorite things to do these days.  Living alone has made me realize that expressing myself by speaking to others is not something to be taken for granted.  Although my little dog and I have certainly developed a language that allows us to communicate quite well with each other, conversing with another human being is something that I crave daily.  From sharing the little things that have happened on any given day of the week, to confiding my inner most feelings; speaking and being listened to by others is something that I’ve come to treasure.  I suppose the thing I enjoy the most about it, it is that speaking, listening, and responding to what others say to me makes me feel connected…isn’t it interesting how the human voice has the ability to do that?

May you reach out and speak to others, and by connecting with them, perhaps you’ll make their day a little brighter.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Listening

On Listening

listeningA Quote to Carry You

May 18, 2015

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”  Micah 7:7

On listening – Do you ever hear someone say something to you but when you try to recall what they’ve said, you realize that you hadn’t really listened to them?  Listening involves a great deal more of engaging with someone else than we may think.  I believe that a large part of listening includes more than just hearing; it also means concentrating on what has been said and seeking to absorb and understand it.  When we take the time to go a little deeper and try to comprehend what is being said between the words, then we can fully know how to respond wisely.  As in the scripture verse above, listening also requires a certain amount of observing and waiting.  Sometimes it is difficult to decipher the full meaning of what someone is trying to say when it is written in a note or even relayed over the phone.  When we await the opportunity to converse face to face, we truly receive the message in full.  Many of the best things in life come about similarly.  Giving our full attention to what God is revealing in our lives and awaiting the outcome that we’ve long anticipated to be manifested completely, makes intently listening, (not only with our ears, but with our hearts as well), all the more gratifying.

May you take the time to listen intently to the world around you, and seek out what God is saying to you.  You may be surprised by how blessed you truly are.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Those Solitary Moments

Solitary moments

Photograph courtesy of my nephew, Zachary T. Weber

Those Solitary Moments – How rich they are at twilight and even more beautiful at dawn.

“There is something eerily peaceful about quiet times alone; like the calm before the storm.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Those Solitary Moments

Those solitary moments,

when all is quiet, and faraway sounds seem to be near.

Those times should be embraced, for in them there is nothing to fear.

Sit still, and take in before you, the splendid panorama displayed.

Imagine yourself to be a part of them; do not let them quickly fade.

Those solitary moments,

oh, why are they so few and far between?

What is it that they provide for us?  From them what can we glean?

Sometimes they are mysterious; they are here and no sooner, they are gone.

But how rich they are at twilight and even more beautiful at dawn.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Solitary moments

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

Solitary moments can provide so much for us long after we’ve actually experienced them.  May you absorb your solitary moments, tuck them away in your mind, and relive them when you most need them.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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Toby, Remembering You

Toby, Remembering You

This is Toby, the beloved shih tzu and loyal friend of Ann Marie Hermes. Little Toby brought so much joy to Ann Marie for 14 years of his 16 years of life.

Toby, Remembering You – You were a true companion to me all those years.  So attentive, so steadfast, you were always by my side…

Toby, Remembering You

Toby, remembering you brings joy to my heart,

without you my life has not been the same.

You always made me laugh, my furry, playful boy.

And I still smile whenever I hear your name.

Toby, Remembering YouI never worried about anything when you were around.

You were a true companion to me all those years.

So attentive, so steadfast, you were always by my side.

My memories of you warm my soul; even through my tears.

Toby, Remembering YouToday, remembering you makes every day brighter, you meant so much to me.

Our trips to Alabama, your sense of adventure, the way you loved to explore.

Your sweet and gentle nature, your big round eyes, your fluffy, snow white fur.

Indeed, everything about you my little friend, will I always and forever adore.

Toby, Remembering YouPoem by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com; photographs provided by my cousin Robyn McDonald (courtesy of Ann Marie Hermes)

Toby, Remembering You

Rest in peace my dear little friend…I will always love you.

“Calling all dog lovers!”

If you have a four-legged, furry friend that you’d like to have featured in a poem on my blog, email your cutest pictures and a short bio to me, Felecia, at frosew04@gmail.com.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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