Category Archives: Family and Friends

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

The Human Touch

The human touch

“Couple at Coney Island, New York,” 1928, Walker Evans. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

The Human Touch – Walking along hand in hand, no words need to be spoken…

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”  Henri Nouwen

The Human Touch

Walking along hand in hand,

no words need to be spoken.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to repair that which was broken.

A gentle pat on the back,

a warm, lingering embrace.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to help overcome the challenges that we face.

An outstretched arm in the nick of time;

a kiss on the cheek in greeting.

The human touch can be all that we need,

unlike words that can sometimes be fleeting.

A firm handshake to solidify a pledge;

a gesture that makes a promise sure.

The human touch can be all that we need,

to make matters of the heart secure.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There is something very powerful about the human touch.  One of the most soothing and comforting things that I remember about the tender moments that I’ve shared with my husband are when we simply walked along together hand in hand.  No words needed to be exchanged; we simply spoke to each other through the power of the human touch.  It seems like whenever I sit down, my little dog Bilbo loves to hop into my lap and snuggle up close to my chest.  Although he isn’t human, I think I enjoy that warm, closeness with him just as much as he seems to.

Indeed, the power of the human touch is soothing, confirming, enjoyable and healing.   May you experience that power by sharing the gift of your touch in a meaningful way with others today.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Perspectives

perspectives

“Studies of a Young Woman,” 1870, Adolph Menzel. Image from a page of the 2015 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Perspectives – My life’s perspectives are always changing, and challenging me to do more.

“Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude.  Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines.  Not just in the moments when life seems easy.”  Henri Nouwen

Perspectives

Staring in the mirror, who do I see?

At first glance, it is simply a reflection of me.

As I peer closer, an added dimension appears.

My face reveals a culmination of my life through the years.

My eyes reflect back to me experiences of times past.

Those times that I’ve rushed through, and the ones I’d wanted to last.

What a contrast; how differently I see things now than I did before.

My life’s perspectives are always changing, and challenging me to do more.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

One of my neighbors, and gracious admirer of my artwork, has commissioned me to do a graphite pencil drawing for her.  The image is a street scene which will require my using the technique of perspective, while sketching out the composition.  Perspectives can involve something as simple as verbalizing a single point of view.  When it comes to other things in life, however, they can be as complex as trying to represent the illusion of depth and distance on a flat sheet of paper.  Perspectives also carry another dimension with them.  For as the relationship between the items being focused upon change, so does the way we in which we view them.

Perspectives, whether used as a technique in drawing or as a way of analyzing life events, are interesting to say the least.  How do you approach things that require you to view them in more than one dimension?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Vacations

On Vacations

on vacationsA Quote to Carry You

July 20, 2015

“Laughter is an instant vacation.”  Milton Berle

On Vacations – I am certain that most of you would agree that, ’tis the season…for vacations that is! Whether you are planning some time off to visit with family and friends, trek off to the woods for hiking and camping, or set sail for an exotic adventure in a far off land, vacations are something to look forward to and to enjoy.  In fact, having time off to rest and get refreshed is welcome at any time of the year.  Not only is taking a break from the “daily grind” something to look forward to, it doesn’t necessarily have to want for summer or the holidays.

Given all of the changes in my “daily grind” over these past several months, I won’t have the luxury of taking time off for any vacations right away.  Be that as it may, it won’t stop me from enjoying some of the benefits that vacations provide.  For me, closing my eyes and envisioning myself traveling off to a sunny spot on the beach, wading along the waves and scrunching my toes up in the wet sand can be enough to brighten my day.  Thinking back and reminiscing about the wonderful vacations I’ve gotten to enjoy in the past are often just what I need to get me excited about what I have to look forward to when I do have the chance to get away.  Whether smiling for a brief moment over a treasured memory, or spending time perusing through photographs and laughing aloud at some funny things they’ve brought to mind, vacations have a way of invigorating us long after we’ve actually experienced them.

Whether you get to take one or more vacations for real, or at least get to daydream about the ones you’ll get to enjoy in the future, may they transport you away long enough to be refreshed…it is amazing what a little time away can do for you.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Good Things

good things

Photograph courtesy of my niece Alexia Danielle

Good things come in small packages and they aren’t always evident from the start…

“…the kingdom of God is within you.”  Luke 17:21

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Good things come in small packages,

I’ve heard that phrase before.

There really is a goodness and wisdom gained,

in realizing that less is truly more.

Good things come in small packages,

they aren’t always evident from the start.

Often times they are invisible to the naked eye;

sometimes they can only be seen by the heart.

Good things come in small packages,

it is amazing how quickly and immensely they grow.

A spark of an idea, an act of love, is all it takes.

The best things are poured from above down to us below.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Good things really do come in small packages!  In fact, many themes it is the tiniest things on earth, that offer the most to us.  Seemingly insignificant treasures have a way of blossoming into the most wonderful blessings…

May you experience how immensely rich even the tiniest gift, or how profoundly the fewest words of wisdom spoken to you can enrich your life.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On the Little Things

On the Little Things

the little thingsA Quote to Carry You

July 13, 2015

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.  For in the dew of little things the heart fins morning and is refreshed.”  Khalil Gibran

On the little things – I had the most delightful conversation with a dear friend this afternoon.  She started the conversation by telling me about how a song that played on the radio earlier in the day brought back fond childhood memories of her father.  Even though it had been many years ago, I could almost feel the joy that one of the little things in her life, such as how her dad enjoyed singing a particular phrase from that song, brought to her still.  Her story in turn, reminded me of a funny little gesture that my husband used to make when he’d hear songs that made him feel all happy inside…and that made my heart smile.

Indeed, it is the little things in life that so often spawn moments of happiness that lead to even deeper feelings of joy and peace…

May your day be filled with many little things that do just that!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Amazing Love

Amazing Love

My great-nephew, Ryder Cullen Stevens. Congratulations Alexia and Jeff! Photograph courtesy of my sister Marjorie Karimi.

Amazing love – There have been many stories written about a love bond so strong that words cannot even come close to describing it…that’s not just love, that’s amazing love!

“I have never been so in love.”  Alexia D. Karimi (speaking about her newly born baby boy, Ryder Cullen)

My family and I have had the pleasure of welcoming our new addition, my great-nephew Ryder Cullen, to the world a week ago.  His arrival came a little sooner than we’d expected, but we are exceedingly happy to welcome him nonetheless!  I’ll admit, when I woke up to the news that our long-awaited bundle of blessings had been born, I felt as excited as a little child on Christmas morning!  We knew what he looked like from the sonographic images that my niece Alexia shared with us throughout her pregnancy, but my first glimpse of the photographs of him shortly after he’d been delivered simply took my breath away.  It was most definitely love at first sight!

Amazing love certainly has a way of doing that.  It touches us in such a profound way.  It seems to mesmerize us and it only grows deeper and stronger as time goes on.  Although I certainly consider the love that Ryder’s parents, Alexia and Jeff, feel towards their precious baby boy to be that kind of love, I can’t help but think of another amazing love that is even greater than that.  When God so richly blessed my family with this little life, he surely showered his love upon us.  As little Ryder grows, that love will increase many times over as we get to share in it over the years.  What is even more amazing to me is that, because of the love that God showed towards all mankind through the birth, death and resurrection of his son Jesus, we all have the opportunity to share in our love for each other not just here, but throughout all eternity…amazing isn’t it?

Amazing love, God has for me,

a love he freely shares.

One that surpasses the veils of time,

no other love compares.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

May you consider what blessings await you when you embrace God’s amazing love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Something About Being a Father

Being a father

Photograph by Feleica R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There’s something about being a father…to his family he is their  protector, provider and friend.

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”  Sigmund Freud

Something About Being a Father

There’s something about being a father,

to his family he is their protector, provider and friend.

There is nothing that he will keep from his precious ones,

for a father’s responsibility…does it ever end?

There’s something about being a father,

his love swells when he gazes into his child’s eyes.

A father provides instruction, guidance and encouragement;

his character imparts a steadfast integrity; never will he compromise.

There’s something about being a father,

by setting a consistent and honorable example he leads.

No matter what circumstances hurl themselves at their lives,

a father unselfishly strives to meet his family’s needs.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

My best wishes to all father, for a very Happy Father’s Day!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Shepherd – What’s in a word?

shepherdShepherd…I can think of nothing more comforting than the thought of me being a helpless sheep with Jesus as my Shepherd…

“The King of love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine forever.”*

Protector, comforter, provider, friend, caregiver, gentle guide…the one I want to follow…

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

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” (Psalm 23:1). I can think of nothing more comforting than the thought of me as a helpless sheep with Jesus as my Shepherd.  My late husband Stephen, without a doubt, also found great comfort in knowing that he needn’t fear anything, for under his Shepherd’s care, everything was complete.  This became more evident to me as I watched him live out his last day.  Although his body had deteriorated a great deal from the cancer that had spread so rapidly, he seemed to be adorned by a pensive strength that allowed him to walk through our home, room by room, seeming to take all of his fond memories into his heart for safekeeping.  He responded to my words and watchful care with a quiet, attentive grace, yet I knew that his mind was very far away.  At one point, as he rested a few hours before he passed, he stretched out his arm as though he was being gently led to a place that the serene expression on his face told me was where he was most willing to go…

“In death’s dark vale I feel no ill

With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;

Thy rod and staff my comfort still,

Thy cross before to guide me.”*

At that moment, the peacefulness that my dear one surely was experiencing made me pause and think of the green pastures and still waters that our Shepherd promises to lead us to and through.  When my Stephen passed, I know that our Shepherd, Jesus, restored his soul…

“And so through all the length of days

Thy goodness faileth never;

Good Shepherd, may I sing they praise

Within Thy house forever.”*

*All verses by Henry W.  Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.”

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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