Dee's Writer's Nook..A Whispering of Words: October 2010

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Thats Life

I had this published in Women's World..1987..Thats Life Section..strange thing is I could write the same article today about shoes, shirts, medals.

Attack of the Running Shoes

They trip me on the staris, fall on my head when I open the closet and lurk in cartons filling the basement. They make their way into every corner of my house, show up in suitcases and hide beneath beds and chairs.
They are running shoes, a plague upon my house. My husband has running shoes of every brand ever manufactured on this planet and few..that were not. Some he uses for road races, others are for track and resoled shoes are for training. Then there are the brand-new shoes guraranted to take though his latest passion,triathalons. Each pair is preserved forever.
A few tmes a year, I try to rid myself of these shoes.
"Maybe you can throw out this pair with the holes in the toes," I timidly suggest.
"The soles are still good," he counters defensively.
"They should be that's the fourth set you've put on them. Even the guy at the store told you to throw them out and get a new pair. You did get a new pair didn't you?"
"Yes," he replies. "He said I should retire them shoes, not toss them."
My youngest son started running when he was 8. He is now 13, and he's accumulated a larger collection of shoes than his dad.
A few months ago my son won a pair of running shoes for coming in first in his division of a 10-kilometer race. The shoes were of high quality. They were two sizes too big.
"These will never fit you," I said, without taking anything away from his win. "Why don't we exchange them at the store for your size?"
"But it wouldn't be the same," he protested.
For months, they sat in the box on his dresser, sometimes being brought out for one of his buddies to admire. He was prouder of the shoes than of the large trophy that accompanied them.
One day, I decided the shoes might do for my aeorobics workout. I felt guilty but told myself my son would not mind if we kept them in the family.
The shoes gave me a giant blister on my big toe. I am convinced they were paying me back for the resentment I had felt toward them as they sat gathering dust.
Not long afterward, my son amazed me by trading the cherished shoes for a complete set of 1986 baseball cards in mint condition. He figured the cards would double in value over the next few years. Then he would sell them and outfit himself with shoes for college track. He isn't even out of junior high school.
So I have given up. There's no way I'll get rid of the decrepit running footwear that surrounds me. All I can do is fantasize.
When it's spring cleaning season I might erect a huge sign on my front lawn reading...FREE RUNNING SHOES. PLEASE TAKE THEM HOME.
But I know that only other running fanatics would be interested in the offer. They would resent the offer and band together to blacklist my family for attempting to divest itself of noble footwear.
So I guess I'll have to live out my life surrounded by runners and their shoes. And by closets and a house that smell sort of..funny..most of the time.

The Moon

The Moon
The moon is bright and bold
As it welcomes weary travelers home.
It sways the tides of dreamers
Lost in night time slumbers.
The moon ignites the hearts of lovers
As they gaze upon it with wonder.
Some may wish upon a star at night
But I am filled with profound delight
To wish upon the moon!

My Mother's Last Summer

My mother loved her humming birds, they were a special joy to her in the summer. The winter of 1996 before her final summer she ended up in hospital from January until April. She fought her way back to, learning to re walk and move so she could come home. She had that summer home and ended up back in the hospital in the fall and finally was called to her heavenly home on Christmas Eve 1996. I wrote this poem in honor of her last summer.

My Mother's Last Summer

It was the summer of her final year

Little did we realize that it would be her last one here.

She fought so hard to return home that summer

So she could hold close and remember

The sights and sounds that brought her pleasure

Her family, her pets, she did treasure.

She enjoyed the humming birds fluttering

With vibrant rhythmic wing.

Like a dream catcher that summer she weaved contentment,

Out of the glorious gifts God willingly sent

Before he brought her truly home!

The Darker Side

I love inspiring thoughts but eveyone knows life has its darker side and this poem is another that came free flowing so I figure it was a gift from God. Maybe it makes you think..not sure but since it came so freely I decided to post it.

The Man I Hated

His obituary was short

So little to report

Listings of family and friends

The usual things they say at the end

Of an ordinary man’s life

Like the name of his wife

All prattle and drivel.

I read nothing about the evil

That consumed and tainted

The man I knew and hated.

They never mentioned the crime

That connected his life with mine.

His death will never wipe away

The things that he did to me on that day

When I was still a child

And he was a man.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Waiting for Summer

Waiting for Summer

Summer is old and wrinkled

Fall nips piercingly at the edges.

The hummingbirds have all departed

To sip sweet nectar elsewhere.

Too soon winter will emerge

With bone drenching cold.

My porch swing sits abandoned

Now waiting for summer’s sweet return.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Time

I heard your voice the other night
Like soft pillow talk it fell.
From my anxious dreams
It quietly cascaded
Like a sorrowing embrace
Stirring a distant memory
Of the youth I remembered.
Time like an illusion
Sneaks quietly away
Never to come again
While the moon gently weeps.
Dee Edgett

God's Gifts

God’s Gifts

At early dawn I stand alone

As birds take wing

I hear them sing

In glorious, lucid tone.

With voices sweet and pure

They honour God once more.

As with heavenly breath they take wing

Magnificently they soar and sing

Celebrating the wondrous gift,

That helps them easily lift

In dazzling flight and song.

Monday, October 25, 2010

People Who Have Inspired Me

Mount Katahdin Warriors
Picture taken at the top of Mount Katahdin in 2008.
Standing left to right..Wayne Mattice, Terry Edgett, Dave Wallace
Sitting left to right ..Bill Trewin, Brian Lowe

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are many people in our lives who follow their heart’s path and by doing so, inspire us. These people inspire us because they are such great examples of courage and the ability to overcome many of the obstacles life has given them. The group in the picture climbed Mt Katahdin the summer of 2008. One was my husband and yes he inspires me, however the real story is about two of the hikers who accompanied him. One of the hikers, Bill Trewin has Parkinson’s and the other hiker, Dave Wallace has MS. Mt.Katahdin is not easy for the average person to hike, so imagine doing this with the extra physical challenges that MS or Parkinsons brings with it. There are many large boulders that need to be walked around or over on this mountain climb. It is not an easy hike. It took the group over 12 hours to complete. They finished in the dark but they did indeed finish!

I was truly inspired after hearing their story and seeing the pictures. After I found my way back to a healthier body {look at my journey back section for my story} I came up with this idea that I might want to try and walk 10km with my Nordic Poles. I had managed to walk a few 5kms but I must say for me they were a real challenge. When I decided to walk the 10 km there were many days when I did 6 or 7 and thought there is no way I am going to walk 10km but then I would think of Bill and Dave and think, I can at least try. So in October 2009 I lined up with the rest of the walkers and runners for the Legs for Literacy Race in Moncton. I picked this race to do because being a writer, I really believe in Literacy. It was not easy but it was easier then my mind had made it seem at times. I had the great priviledge of walking with one of the people who inspired me, Bill. Or should I say he was kind enough to walk with me. Bill can easily walk a 10km and has done many half marathons with his Nordic Poles. Bill and another Nordic Walker, Linda Fullerton kept me entertained and I didn’t even notice the pain until we were finished.
Who inspires you? Look around because there are probably plenty of wonderful inspiring people standing right next to you.

Friday, October 22, 2010

My Journey Back

Terry and I walking the Disney World 5km Fun Run in January , 2010. Terry also ran the Goofy.

This was written for the arthritis society newsletter

I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. I was losing my mobility and gaining weight. I was taking medications but I just seemed to be getting worse. My husband, Terry suggested we join the new YMCA and I should try the Arthritis Aquability classes given in the therapy pool specially designed for people with mobility problems.

He thought the classes would help me. I had my doubts and the last thing I wanted was to be seen in a bathing suit. My mobility had gotten to the point that I needed a cane to get around and we had to use the elevator to view the upstairs when we took the Y tour. We joined the first week the new Y opened and I was able to sign up for the Acquability classes. I remember just getting from the change room to the pool was a major challenge because of my limited mobility.

I noticed a difference the very first week in my mobility. After the classes, I was able to put on my own socks and shoes which was a big accomplishment! Within weeks, I felt like doing a little more after classes. I also started going to the therapy pool even on the days there were no classes and doing my own workout. I also added a bit of lane swimming and joined the Water in Motion half-hour classes in the main pool. I found, even on my aching days, if I could just get to the therapy pool I felt much better.

Bonnie, the aqua fitness director and instructor, noticed my improvement and felt that the extra workouts were working for me. The first year I lost some weight and soon I didn't need to use my cane anymore. The second year, Bonnie suggested that I was ready to join the regular aqua-fitness classes and didn't need the Arthritis classes anymore. I was nervous about attempting this so Terry joined me. He found the aqua-fitness helped his legs recover after his running.

At this point, I was able to do aqua-fitness on a regular basis and on my bad days I would do my own workout in the therapy pool. My mobility had improved, my weight was slowly dropping, and I was able to reduce and then eliminate most of my medications. In late 2008 I did my first 5km walk using Nordic Poles for extra support. It was my first 5km walk in ten years. I am not a fast walker but now I can walk! Now I am doing Nordic Walking regularly. Nordic walking is now also available at the Y and they have a nice trail to walk on.

My weight has come down and I am five sizes smaller in my clothes. I think the most important part of my journey was commitment, consistency, and making my workouts my number one priority. I usually get to the Y five days a week. My improvements didn't happen overnight. I had to look at it as long term investment in my personal health and fitness. There were a few bumps in the road with a few issues that stopped my workouts for a few weeks, but because I knew how good the pool made me feel, it didn't take me long to get back to the Y when I was feeling better.

I didn't attempt any strict diets; I only watched my calories and cut out most junk food. The advice and encouragement from Bonnie and her staff has been a big help. I have also had lots of fun and have made many friends in the classes. Everyone has been very encouraging. Even total strangers have stopped to tell me they have noticed how good I am doing. The Y has definitely changed my life for the better.

In 2009, with the encourgment of my friends Bill Trewin and Linda Fullerton who walked with me I finished my first 10km walk in a time of 2 hours 11 minutes. I had been aiming to do it in 2 hours 30 minutes so was pleased with my time. My aches and pains have not completely disappeared and I still have flare-ups but exercise helps. When I am aching really bad I still try to make it to the therapy pool because I always end up feeling better. My main health goal is to keep moving and stay healthy.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

When God Whispers Your Name

Picture taken of flower in Jamaica by me

When God Wispers Your Name

May you always detect the gentle hush
And feel the tender brush
Of God's hand upon your life.
May you always know God cares for you
And he will see you through
All the difficult times in your life.

As you pause and truly listen
To the voice you might be missing
You will find your life will never be the same
When you hear God
Gently whispering your name!

God's Joy
May God's unlimited joy bubble up inside you,
And take you through each day.
May joy be in your footsteps
As you proceed upon your way.
May joy fill your heart, your soul, your being.
Let God's joy be never ending.
And pass some on today!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Walking Away

Picture of my Great, Great Nephew, Ashton walking down a path away from his Mom
Picture taken by his Mom, Jillian.

WALKING AWAY

They are given to us from God above,

To hold and cuddle with unconditional love.

God trusts us to teach and touch their hearts.

And he knows it will tear us apart,

When they start down that path away from us

But letting them go is a must.

This is the hardest job God will ask us to do

But we have to remember God loves them too.

Their lives have always been in the palm of his hand

And for every child he has an earthly plan.

So let them go into the world with love,

For their paths are being guided by their Father above.

Animation

I have made many animations over the past few years and use them as cards or add them to my emails. Some I made for my family and friends. Here are some of my favorite animations made from my computer drawn artwork...

May you hear your angel's voice in the winds
Telling you that all is as it should be.
And all the strength and wisdom you need
Is just a whispered prayer away.

by
~Dee Edgett

Friday, October 15, 2010

Something to think about Section

Picture taken by my husband of a rainbow over Dover, New Brunswick

My Something to think about Section: (check back daily for more quotes and
thoughts)....

Oct19th..

You're never too old to become younger - -- Mae West

I love this saying. What makes you feel younger? When I think of young at heart people I think of my husband who stays (at the age of 64) young at heart and in body by pursuing his passion of running and doing triathlons. I am sure he sometimes thinks he is still in his thirties, the same age he was when he first decided to try running. Being active makes him feel young.

I have a cousin who is well into her eighties and just recently had her hip replaced and she is back bowling, something that keeps her young. You better not take away her bowling shoes!Did you ever get together with a group of high school friends and realize you had all reverted back to your giggly teenage personalities in a matter of moments. When that happens you realize being young is a state of mind.
What keeps you young? We all have something. We just have to remember what that is and find a way to include it in our lives on a regular basis. Call those old friends and make plans to get together. Pick up a long neglected hobby, something you use to enjoy doing. Learn something new that you have always longed to learn. Get out that bucket list and pick something. Play with children or pets, get silly! As Mae West said you are never too old to become younger and it is never too late to find a way to do just that. In your heart you know what makes you feel young so find the time and become younger today!

Oct 18th..

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~Bill Meyer

Ok, I’ve been planting crab apples. I often catch myself saying, “My legs are killing me.” Not a good thing to say. Now I replace that thought immediately with, “That is not true, my legs are healthy and strong and they support me completely.” How often have you thought, “I hope I don’t fall”, only to slip and fall a few minutes later. So if every thought is a seed, how about planting good seeds instead of ones you don’t want. Try repeating things like, “I am abundantly blessed with good health.” Some people might think this is a waste of time but what have you got to lose. When you are waiting in line, driving alone, or even trying to fall asleep try planting some of the things you do want in your life.. Did you really think when you put that small carrot seed into the ground you would have nice big carrots? If that small seed can create a carrot couldn’t your mind (which is more powerful than a tiny seed) produce good things? Replace those old crab apple thoughts with more positive thoughts and see if you can produce some Golden Delicious moments in your life.

Oct 16th...

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Mahatma Gandhi

When I first heard this quote it made me very uncomfortable. I am sure I am one of those Christians that if Gandhi had met me at certain points in my life he would not think I was very much like Christ. Like all humans I have my good days and my really bad days. To be Christ like should be the goal of every Christian but our human ego keeps getting in the way. I remember a few years ago when people were running around sporting bracelets and bumper stickers that read, “What would Jesus Do?” It seems like that fad has disappeared but it is a good question to ask ourselves every day. Jesus offered love in a lot of situations where we would have condemned. If we try harder to be more forgiving and loving I am sure our Christian image would be more Christ like. Does the above quote make you uncomfortable? I am sure I am not alone but there is something we can do. We can wake up every day with a prayer on our lips to be more like Jesus. That is my prayer today how about you?

Above is some of my computer made art work that I have also animated..

Oct 15th..

"Worry is praying for things you don't want." I wish I had realized that sooner. Worry is a useless waste of time. We often learn worry from our parents. My mother was the Queen of Worry and I followed close behind her and became the Princess of Worry. Worry serves no purpose and if you think it does you will have a harder time to stop worrying. Fortunately the worry habit can be broken. I am no longer the Princess of Worry, I have been dethroned. It didn't come easy and sometimes I slip on my old Princess crown. When you find yourself worrying replace all the negatives with a positive. All of your what ifs, most of the time never happen. When you find yourself worrying think back over all the past things you have worried about that didn't come true, if you are anything like me you will soon have a large list of things that never happened. Try replacing each worry with a positive affirmation. If you are worrying about not having enough money try replacing it with, I always have enough money. If you must worry set a time for worrying, after your set time of 5 minutes say that is it. I have released all this to the universe so it can be replaced by God's abundance. Sometimes it is just enough to acknowledge the worry like a pest. Letting yourself realize this is just a thought not something that might actually happen. Pray about it but make sure to stay positive and believe God will take care of you.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Hallowed Wings

Mount Katahdin, Maine, USA

Photo taken by my husband, Terry.

Hallowed Wings

There are many roads our souls pass by,

And many things we would like to try.

But deep inside God sends us gentle urgings

That shakes the mud from off our wings so they can lift,

Sparking forth our soul's forgotten gifts.

Then once again our souls learn how to sing

With glorious, hallowed wings!

Spiritual Memories..Stay Connected

Canes River, Miramichi Region, New Brunswick, Canada

Photo taken by my husband, Terry.

The above picture was taken by my husband when he was fishing with our son and grandsons. Fly fishing is a passion they all enjoy

I always find when I stay connected to my spirit and try to stay positive my life flows. God is good and wants us to live in abundance and happiness. How often do we miss the wonderful gifts he is willing to send us because we are so busy concentrating on the negative. Passion for your purpose is never easy to follow. We often neglect our purpose and follow the paths of friends, parents and teachers because we are afraid of our own power. Finding our passion is much easier when we are connected to God on a daily basis. Do you know your passion? Writing and animation are two of my passions. The following was writing when I was praying and thinking about how I would like to walk in the garden with God like Adam and Eve.

A Spiritual Memory~ by Dee Edgett
There is a spiritual memory
Buried deep within us all
Of walking on this earth,
Hand in hand with God.
It was not strange or unusual.
It was the way it was.
And everything was perfect In the garden
God built for us with love.
Now we have a silent yearning
To return to our beginnings,
Of our early Eden home
Where we walked with God alone.
We are homesick for his presence
That filled our garden rare.
Our hearts are silently searching
For our memories hidden there.
Our gentle call is always answered.
Our prayers are surely heard.
By that same God above.
Who still walks with us in love!

One

I wrote this poem and it has been posted on various websites. I was pleased when I ran across it on a memorial website for that person's grandmother. As a grandmother that touched my heart.

ONE
One hand can save a drowning soul.
One word can sometimes make them whole.
One deed well done can change a life.
One unkind word can cut like a knife. 
One word of anger left unsaid
Can a friendship often mend.
One heartfelt message of forgiveness given,
Will bring compassion from those who listen. 
One hug, one smile, one loving touch.
Are the things we need so much.
Fill another's heart today
By offering kindness in every way. 
Never let the words you say,
Be the kind that that won't go away.
Make sure the words that others hear
Are words that show you care. 
Don't leave the doing to someone 
Who is better, smarter or has more time then you.
Because if everyone did that too.
There would be no good deeds coming back to you.
.....Written by Dee Edgett
Copyright © 1996  by Dee Edgett

What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean, but if we didn't do it, the ocean would be one drop less» — Mother Teresa

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Writing for the internet

In 1996 I left the story "Letting Go" on the internet and the rest in history. The story had a life of its own and ended up on many websites all over the world. It is hard to believe where the story has ended up and how over the years it has been passed from person to person and from web site to web site. I must admit that the universe gave me this story. I wrote it in one sitting and the words flowed onto the paper. A blessing and a gift from God. When I read what I had written I thought of my sons and how I had to let them go out into the world to live their own lives at that time. I am so awed that my gift has been such a blessing to others.

Letting Go Author: Dee Edgett
There was once a lonely girl who longed desperately for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving song birds. She took them home and put them in a small glided cage. She nurtured them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a marvellous song. The girl felt great love for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.
One day the girl left the door to the cage open. The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl watched anxiously as he circled high above her. She was so frightened that he would fly away and she would never see him again that as he flew close, she grasped at him wildly. She caught him in her fist. She clutched him tightly within her hand. Her heart gladened at her sucess in capturing him. Suddenly she felt the bird go limp. She opened her hand stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate clutching love had killed him.
She noticed the other bird teteering on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom. His need to soar into the clear, blue sky. She lifted him from the cage and tossed him softly into the air. The bird circled once, twice, three times.
The girl watched delighted at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss. She wanted the bird to be happy. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest melody, she had ever heard.
The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight, the best way to keep love is to give it -- WINGS!