Muscles

Muscles.

Butch

Strong 

Tough 

Fierce 

These aren't words that come to mind 

when hearing the words

'Cerebral Palsy'

At least not for the first time.

But they are for me.

In fact, I would use these to describe

others with CP and other physical disabilities.

My Papa's nickname for me as a kid was 'Muscles'.

When he died of smoking and alcohol induced problems

I thought that maybe that was some cruel joke.

But with refection... now I know better.

I think that he saw my inner strength.

Say my ability to fall off a horse and get back on.

To power through the challenges with my disability,

particularly in daily life and at school.

Papa watched me grow and get stronger every day.

Now I'm developing actual muscle through home workouts.

To do that I've had to dedicate time and energy and push through.

Proving wrong what a lot of people may thinking of me,

A women with mild Cerebral Palsy.

And that I can be proud of.

My Papa made a lot of mistakes.

My Mum thinks if he hadn't have dealt with his trauma 

using smoking and alcohol he may have been a better man.

I think there is a little of the strength of the 19-year-old who fled 

The war in Croatia  in the 60's in me.

Every time I encourage and see someone's confidence build.

Every time I vote despite the crowds and unfamiliar people

Every time I don't drink and appreciate my fiancée’s commitment 

to me and to not smoke anymore. 

Every time we are patient and talk to each other about what our lives have been

We look to the future now.

I think Papa may have offered my future husband a beer 

It was how he showed respect and acceptance of someone.

This is how I remember my Papa.

Careers

 Dedication: To careers you are amazing people who admire and respect greatly.

 

Unseen. In the background. Consistent.

Always there. Struggling to switch off.

I see you.

 

As a support worker and human being, I stand with you.

I am privileged to help you switch off.

Respite because you love the person you care for.

For a day, or just a few hours, you can be a member of their family again.

 

Because you know that I’m on team. I’ve got them.

I’m traveling alongside you. We delight together in the little moments.

You can take a step back, catch your breath, and know your person is okay.

Carers do a great deal without pay or time off.

 

I will fight with you for the whole family, not just the person I’m supporting.

Everyone should be considered worth the effort.

By supporting you and those around my client, my client thrives.

Centrelink, NDIS, a GP, or a specialist. I’ll make sure that we lift-up your person.

 

Because everyone deserves to have their voice listened to.

Not just the person receiving support but the people around them too.

Their family and team’s wellbeing are important.

How can a client do well when their career is burnt out?

I am privileged to be part of a client's support team.

I will be there to work with, acknowledge,

and respect everyone within their team.

Everyone has value.

1 Corinthians 12 NLT vs 22

'In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.'

 

Granddad

 Our ‘Rolly Polly Pudding’

Reims of verses of poetry from his mouth.

Such a memory!

He investigated and remembered the Campbell history.

As did his Mc Donald friend!

 

He had many musings and songs.

From ‘Here comes the Tea’ for Grandma

To ‘Postman Pete with the Smelly Feet’ for Holiday Club

 

He loved reading and passed the joy of reading on

Often falling asleep reading a favourite book in his favourite chair

Grandma and Granddad’s book room smelled amazing!

A book was appreciated if it was annotated.

My Granddad edited my early poems.

 

He loved T.V. shows that made him chuckle and Grandma’s shoulders shake.

He rewatched Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter with his children towards the end.

Like my Granddad I get annoyed if a movie is very different from the book.

 

It is hard to feel sad that he isn’t here anymore.

Because I know that he is right where he wants to be.

At peace, joining Grandma and Auntie Anne.

Singing God’s praises as he is now.

As he dreamed of for many a year.

Especially when sitting on a steam train.

 

 

 

 

Dear you...

Dear you who I miss.

Dear you who I remember.

Dear you who I envision as I write.

 

You were my Grandma.

When I did something (happy or shameful) your arms were there.

Grandma, Mother, Wife, and dear friend, your mere presence a haven.

 

Softly lighting and warming a room with (what my Mum named) your 'secret smile'.

You secretly liked it when Granddad said something soppy. 

Responding with an 'Oh, Ian!' 

 

Ian brought you tea and a song each morning.

Anne, Sue, Bruce, Graeme love and joy. 

So much you gave up your job! Someone had to raise them.

Then it grew to Grandkids. Dan, Bron, Meg, Matt and then family pets Thomas the cat and dogs Dobby, Choo, and Finley. You loved us and were a lifeline for our parents who we drove up the wall.

But, according to the fridge magnet, one of the reasons you have children is so you can have grandchildren, and you spoiled us rotten.  You gave so many fun memories of silly games and songs, books, puzzles, and museum trips and more. Every day with you full of joy for me. 

I was so sad when you left us, I only celebrated Christmas because I remembered that you would have. 

So, I sung and put-up lights where my housemates could enjoy them, thinking of you as I did. Because whatever happens Christ still came into the world knowing he would suffer, die (be separated from his father), and rise again. 

That gives me hope. For you died knowing and believing that you. Because of that we (and other Christians) believe we will get to see each other again because Christ did not come and die for nothing. He died to bring us into God's family.

So, one day I will see you, and Aunty Anne, and Nanna Jo and everyone else who has died knowing and believing in Christ and trusting him, will be as one family.

Now let us rejoice and be glad, even though we mourn, for the shining hope that Christmas brings.

Whatever tomorrow and next year brings let us remember.

"For this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!'

Psalm 118:24 ESV

I miss my Grandma... reader who do you miss? 

Hold me

Hold me now, I am weary.
Hold me now, you are dear.
Hold me now, I'm not okay.

You listen, I cry.
Hold me now.
You understand, I relax.
Hold me now.
You accept, I settle.

Hold you now.
I see your long day.
Hold you now.
I sense your pain.
I hear your voice my love.

"Hold me now."
Say it out loud. 
"Hold me now."
Come to embrace.

"Hold me now."
I already am.
"Hold me now."
Here you are safe.

Your love is like Christ's.
You seek me when I am lost.
In my dark days you don't let go.
When I forget, you remember.

Thank-you Father God for the people,
that love me as you love.

New Book

Hello Readers,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read the poems I write.
Because I know that they are being read,
I recently decided to do something daring.

I've collated my poems into a book of poems.
All by me and available on my publisher's website;

Xibris: https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=while%20we%20wait

My new book can also be found on;
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_10_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=while+we+wait&sprefix=while+%2Caps%2C352&crid=2FZZT6OTCGMIR&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awhile+we+wait

So please, if you would like to hold my book in your hands, click on the links above.
Thankyou 😊

Family Christmas

At Christmas time we make a fuss.
Clean, cook, organise, deal with certain
family members, and clean again.
We forget why we do it.
Lose the joy we had as children.
Discover a whole month of stress.

I'm an adult now.
I've uncovered that stress that was
hidden from me as a child.
I disregard the 'Christ' and only think
about the 'mass'.
The mass of things that need to be done.

This Christmas my levels of anxiety
have mounted considerably.
I have been so busy with work,
singing and organising choir
that I've been absent minded
about the person I'm celebrating in song.
Ironic, isn't it?

Christmas is about joy.
As Christians we rejoice as one.
We praise the Lord as we thank him
for sending his son to bring us him.
To show us great mercy and love
in adopting us as his children.

I think the reason the friends and families
gather is to remember that we can be
part of Gods' family...
If we simply are humble,
accepting his grace.

My church family are people
that I'll never tire of spending time with.
Particularly at Christmas.
You see, even though we come from
different backgrounds, cultures, and
life experiences, in Christ we are one.
We are a great forever growing family.
Body and soul.