Category Archives: Family and Friends

Family and friends short story writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

September

September

“Trees and Houses Near the Jas De Bouffan (Detail),” 1885-86, Paul Cezanne. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

September

I Remember When

September 24, 2014

“Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all.  If you only remember me with tears, then don’t bother to remember me at all.”  Laura Ingalls Wilder

My childhood memories include some of the best memories I have.  When I visit my parents’ home or reminisce about days gone by with my sisters, it is as though a floodgate of happy times has been pried wide open and I seem to float along them smiling and laughing along the way.  In my new series I Remember When, I plan to share snippets of my childhood memories with you.  Given what I’ve described about them so far, I hope you’ll look forward to having your heart warmed and perhaps even enjoying a chuckle or two while reading my musings.

September reminds me of all sorts of “new beginnings” when I was a child.  To me it meant the end of summer and a fresh start to a new school year, the excitement of buying new school clothes and supplies, and getting acquainted with new classmates. I loved walking to and from school with my sister and cousins, crunching through the dried leaves that littered the sidewalks; and squinting my eyes so closely together in the sun that the scarlet, rust , and yellow autumnal colors adorning the trees all blended together like glittering balls of fire against the deep blue-gray sky.  Mmmmm, I can almost feel the warmth of the rays brightening my face as I write!

So tell me, won’t you, what is your favorite childhood memory that happened in the month of September?

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

On Comfort

On Comfort

on comfortA Quote to Carry You

September 22, 2014

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home. Edith Sitwell

You’ve heard it said that “home is where the heart is” right?  Well with autumn’s chill beginning to fill the air, I have been longing more and more to be surrounded by all of the comforting things that fill my home.  It is not just the tangible objects that are full of the happiness and memories of years past; or the pumpkin, cinnamon and other autumnal scents that tickle my nose when I walk through its rooms.  There is a true feeling of comfort, safety and warmth that I enjoy there that I can find no place else.

May you experience a sense of comfort where you are and may it be your “home” for the day.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)

Jonathan’s Friend

Jonathan's friend

Jonathan’s friend, an Adler Flycatcher bird

Jonathan’s friend…those for whom we care so much are not always human.  Nonetheless, the gratitude they give has a way of touching our hearts deeply.

Animals have a way of touching our hearts in ways that humans cannot.  I have experienced such warmth and love over the years from our little family dogs, Sidney and Bilbo.  When they first entered our home, Sidney as a puppy and Bilbo as an adult dog that we adopted, I felt the need to care for and protect them.  As they gradually became part of our family, our “four-legged furry children,” it seems as though they were the ones providing much of the love and caring.

The poem below is based on a true-life story which was relayed to me by my dear friend and Godmother, Marilyn Hill.  It tells the story of how her neighbor and dog-sitter, Jonathan, befriended a little Adler Flycatcher bird.  Jonathan’s friend sought and received food, shelter and care in her time of need.  But it was Jonathan who received so much more…a sense of love and gratitude and the hope of seeing her again.

Jonathan’s Friend

My what a surprise the little bird did give,

when she landed on my shoulder that day.

Jonathan's friend

How strange it was to see a little creature like her;

so bold, inquisitive and wanting only to stay.

I saw that she was injured and needed my help!

I told her not to fear; that I’d look after her night and day long.

Jonathan's friendSo I fed her, I cared for her and I protected her from harm.

What small things it seems, for in return she sang her sweet song.

The way she gobbled up her berries and flew playfully to and fro.

Her quiet gentleness in simple things surely made me glad.

She brightened my heart and oh how she made me smile…

Her broken wing was healing…that made me both happy and sad.

Jonathan's friendI thought she’d just gone out for her morning frolic in the trees.

But when she did not return, I knew that she’d decided to leave.

Oh my little friend, I will miss caring for you indeed.

Until you return next year, it is to memories of you I will cleave.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Jonathan's friendPhotographs courtesy of Marilyn Hill

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +3 (from 3 votes)

On Caring for Others

On Caring for Others

on caring for othersA Quote to Carry You

September 8, 2014

“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”  John Joseph Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love

I had the privilege of experiencing this first hand.  Similarly in finding “beauty in the ashes,” I discovered a rich oasis of the most wonderful life-giving water when I gave fully of myself to my husband during the time when he needed me the most.  Not only did I sprout a new strength , confidence, and seemingly endless vigor doing all that was required of me as his caregiver.  His quiet determination to maintain the nobility that traced his character throughout his life provided a wellspring of blessings that have helped to make it possible for me to tread the dark waters until they became clear.

May you never be fearful to wade through the murky  seas, for they can provide a buoyancy that will see you safely to shore.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

I Blew It!

I blew it

Photograph courtesy of Martin Watson

I Blew It!

I blew it!  We’ve all been there…what do you do when it happens to you?

I Blew It!

Wow, I really blew it!

Oh why did I ever do it?

Sometimes the outcome is not clear;

but once it’s done, the consequences I do fear.

Wow, I really blew it!

Not sure if saying sorry will do.

If I could take back what I said and did,

I would do everything to make it up to you.

Wow, I really blew it!

I wish I had a second chance.

Looking back, I see what I did wrong.

Is there a way this situation to enhance?

Wow, I really blew it!

I know, words can’t always make amends.

Please know that I have learned from my mistakes,

and now I ask…can we remain friends?

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

Saying the wrong thing, taking the wrong action, making the same mistake over and over again. These things will happen more than once in life…guaranteed.  It is how we proceed when they happen that makes all the difference.

 

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +13 (from 13 votes)

God’s Open Arms

God's Open Arms

“In Heaven,” photograph courtesy of David Brown

 

God’s open arms…I am so looking forward to seeing the face of Jesus…” (paraphrased) Stephen C. Weber

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”  Psalms 126:5

God’s Open Arms

(a poem written in memory of the love of my life)

What do I think of when I think of heaven?

A flood of spectacular visions fill my mind.

The brightness of the light of our Lord;

the peaceful faces of those who have gone on before.

The radiance of pristine surroundings,

where darkness can never exist.

A place where there is no pain nor suffering at all;

only bodies newly washed clean and pure.

Sounds of exquisite songs of praise to our God,

for His majesty reigns eternal there.

Most of all, I think God’s open arms

waiting to welcome me home…and never let me go.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

God's Open Arms

Stephen Cullen Weber, February 9, 1956 – August 13, 2014. Rest in peace my precious one…I love you forever.

I offer my sincere thanks to all of those who have expressed their love and caring towards Steve and me over these past several months, and now at his passing.  May God’s peace and blessings surround you now and always.

Love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +13 (from 13 votes)

Penny Sparkle

Penny Sparkle

“Hello!” Meet Penny Sparkle, the beautiful Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, who belongs to our dear friends, Marilyn and Dick Hill.

 

Penny Sparkle lights up the room…her dazzling eyes are like flowers in bloom!

Penny Sparkle

Penny Sparkle is a bright and lovely girl,

She’s so full of spunk, her life is a whirl!

Penny Sparkle

“Happy Halloween!…guess who!”

When she is around, she lights up the room.

Her dazzling eyes are like flowers in bloom!

Penny Sparkle

Penny’s retriever instincts make her outdoor playtime an adventure.

Penny loves to play and romp in the snow.

Her hunting instincts always keep her on the go!

Penny Sparkle

Penny having fun with her little sister Halo Rose.

She’s a very good big sister to Halo Rose.

Deep down inside she’s still a pup, from her head to her toes!

Penny Sparkle

Penny taking a break at nap time with her older brother Mardi Gras.

When the day is done and it’s time for a rest;

no doubt Penny will be dreaming of her next day’s quest!

 

Penny Sparkle

“Thanks for visiting…hope to see you again soon!”)

(Poem by Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove,com.  Photographs courtesy of Marilyn Hill.)

“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.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +7 (from 7 votes)

It’s All In the Family

It's All in the Family

Study for “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Detail), 1884, George Seurat. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

It’s all in the family…they say that blood is thicker than water, and when it comes to love, it’s all in the family.

“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.” (author unknown)

It’s all in the family…love that is!  Have you ever thought of where love comes from?  Can you remember the first time that you’ve ever experienced the warm and cozy feeling that only genuine love can produce?  For me, I can honestly say that my very first acquaintance with true love was made right amongst my own family.  When I am with my family, it seems like I am oblivious to the outside world.  I suppose the best way that I can describe how I feel when I am surrounded by my loved ones, is like snuggling up inside a big fuzzy blanket…it’s one of the best feelings in the world!

The love that exudes from a family creates a bond between its members that can never truly be broken…we are always connected.  Whether you get to be with your family frequently or if time and distance only allows for visits few and far between, the love that flows from your hearts seals any gaps and brings you together with your loved ones on a different level.  The good times and the bad times, the memories that have been made and played out by each member of the family during times spent together are woven tightly…hmmm, like the fabric of that fuzzy blanket I’ve mentioned earlier.

Living together, caring for and sharing with each other, being there through thick and thin, these are all significant forms of affection that portray the depth of the kind of love a family experiences and understands.  They are not carried out by force or by burdensome effort.  Rather, they just happen within the family…it is family love in action.

I realize that not everyone has had the opportunity to build upon and experience the genuine, coveted love that flows freely to link and keep a family together.  But I challenge those who have, to try spreading some of their own special bonding love to those around you.

It’s all in the family…love that is; 

It’s a bond that’s genuine and true.

It is my hope that all may experience it…

And may the blanket called”family” always cover you.

Peace and love,

Felecia

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: +9 (from 9 votes)