Category Archives: Writing

Writing collection relating to lifetime experiences.

October

October

“Dancing Days,” photograph of my sister Marjorie and me posing for one of our many dance recitals.

October

I Remember When

October 31, 2014

“There’s a chill in the air, dark evenings come early, leaves fall softly dressed in autumnal hues.  October is here, get out and enjoy it…take in the magnificent views!”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

The month of October brings to mind many “warm and cozy”  memories from my childhood.  The chilly, dark evenings; chimneys puffing out smoke from fireplaces ablaze inside; snuggling up in heavy flannel blankets…all of these images put me in the mood for all of the heartwarming delights this season brings.  One memory in particular, truly brings this feeling home to me…

My sister Marjorie, my cousin Toni and I spent quite a bit of time together when we were kids.  One thing that all three of us enjoyed, was donning our tights and leotards, grabbing our tap and jazz shoes and piling into the car for dance class every Wednesday evening.  Classes normally started in the fall, aligning with the school year, so by the time late September-early October rolled around, the evenings would be dark and chilly when our classes let out.

I always loved the times we spent in the dance studio, learning new dance steps and rehearsing our “routines” for the end-of-year recitals.  Flitting around to the beat of the lively dance tunes all seemed so whimsical to me. No doubt my Dad may have thought we looked like three excited little butterflies as we fluttered out and tumbled into the car when he’d come and pick us up to take us home.

I think I enjoyed our rides home just as much as I did our dance classes. Why? Well the fun wasn’t over yet!  October not only taunts autumnal changes in the air…there are plenty of other delights to enjoy as well!  Many times my Dad would have picked up a jug of apple cider and freshly baked cake donuts as a special treat for us.  I can almost smell it now, the delicious sweetness of the cider and donuts that hovered in the car as we drove home.  With our stomachs growling at the scents, and our mouths giggling and chatting on, there was one more treat in store.  My Dad would turn on the car radio tuning in the mystery-suspense stories from the classic program called “Night Fall”…and our senses were heightened even more! Wooooooo!!!

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

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Power in Weakness

power in weakness

“Study Head of a Woman,” 1745, Jean Baptiste Greuze. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Power in weakness is not as strange as it may seem, for sometimes we are our most powerful when we are weak…

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

I am sure you’ll agree that power comes in many forms, both physically and mentally.  It can be manifested in both positive and negative ways.  The same can be said about weakness.  As our bodies become tired and frail, or when we feel vulnerable and uncertain about a situation, we do not always make the wisest choices and fail to accomplish our goals.  With power and weakness being such opposites, how can we possibly gain one from the other?

The answer to achieving power in weakness has less to do with what we receive, but rather what we give away.  When I feel in control and on top of things, I seem to get into a groove and everything runs relatively smoothly.  The more I continue on in my own strength, the more self-reliant I become and that is fine, to a point.  All  of a sudden, and it inevitably happens, I am faced with some challenge that knocks me right to my knees.  At that point, I am literally in the perfect position to make a choice.  I can wallow in my weakness and receive more grief from whatever it is I am holding on to, trying to fix it myself.  Or I can give the problem over to God in prayer and receive His strength and power to go on.  Power in weakness?

Indeed, power in weakness is not as strange as it sounds, for sometimes we are our most powerful when we are weak.  In our weakness we can do nothing…but when it leads us to God, He has the power to do all things.

May your weakness lead you to seek the power that only God can give.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Flourishing Through Our Fears

flourishing through our fears

“No Fear In Me,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2013, OntheWingofaDove.com

Flourishing through our fears is not impossible; in fact, it is often times the best way to overcome them.

Fear is an emotion that we’ve all encountered in life.  Whether it be an uneasiness about what is awaiting us around the next corner, or some phobia that can be debilitating enough to interfere with our daily lives, fear is real and it affects all of us.  Of course, a healthy fear of something that will do us harm is a good thing, but what about those things that won’t harm us if we stand up and face them?  Can we flourish through our fears?

Flourishing Through Our Fears

Fear is dreadful when it takes hold of us,

causing us to tremble and scream.

The things we fear rob the peace from our days,

and invade our sleep when we dream.

Fear, you may ask, where does it come from;

the emotion full of darkness and dread?

Some say it is nothing, nothing at all.

For others it is all consuming instead.

Facing our fears, and not letting them grow,

in that way they can’t hurt us at all.

Turn them over to God, He will conquer your foe…

and He will help you never, ever to fall.

Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Flourishing through our fears is possible indeed…especially when we remember that we never have to face them alone.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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The Masks

The MasksThe Masks…they do not move, but they seem to speak; the hushed tones of their voices are bizarre.

“There are mystically in our faces certain characters which carry in them the motto of our souls, wherein he that cannot read A, B, C may read our natures.”  Sir Thomas Browne

When I was thinking of what to write about for this week’s theme on “faces,” a dream that I had a couple of years ago, which I refer to as “The Masks,” came to my mind.  To this day the dream puzzles me as it was so full of mystery that I still haven’t quite figured out its meaning.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not put a lot of stock in dreams…many of mine are likely conjured up from what I ate on a given evening or how a particular day went.  This particular dream, however, does still haunt my thoughts from time to time, and I wonder what it was trying to tell me…perhaps about myself.

The MasksThe Masks

An eerie feeling overcomes me

as I step inside the room.

The decor is bright and cheery enough,

but I have this dark, foreboding feeling,

and it’s filling my heart with gloom.

Straight ahead I see the bed, the table, the lamp,

the desk, along side the chair,

But then I turn and there they are!

The four harlequin masks gazing at me;

all with a unified stare.

Why are they here?  What do they want?

So theatrical they are.

They do not move, but they seem to speak;

the hushed tones of their voices are bizarre.

I turn away and leave them be.

I want no part of them, I don’t.

When I look back they’ve vanished, gone!

I should forget them…but I know that I won’t.

Although, “The Masks” have not yet revealed

what their true meaning is for me.

I’ve an idea that they each are a part of myself…

and perhaps that is the true mystery.

Poem by Felecia R. Weber 2014, OntheWingofaDove.com; photographs by Stephen C. Weber, Venezia, 2012.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

 

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Humility – What’s in a Word?

humility

“A Woman Ironing,” (Detail), 1873, Edgar Degas. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

 

Humility…what’s in a word?  This word came to mind in regard to the type of person who can be described as such:

honorable, respected, honest, strong, reserved, wise, contemplative, insightful, realistic, truthful, trustworthy…

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

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”  Proverbs 18:12

In many cases, humility can be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness or cowardice. I’ve never believed that. It takes a strong person in both will and character to humble himself before others.  I believe that a humble person displays a quiet courage that can only truly be appreciated by those who share that same quality.

What’s in humility?  For me it means to be clothed in honor.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

 

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Patience Makes Perfect

Patience

“Patience Makes Perfect,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

 

Patience makes perfect…there is a grace and elegance that is born out of the discipline of waiting…so it is with patience.

Perfection, that is not a word that describes human nature, although it is something that we all strive to attain in some form or another.  “When I accomplish this…when I get that…then things will be perfect.” Haven’t we all uttered those words and haven’t they always more often than not, failed to come true?  And so we go round and round, treading the same circle of trying to achieve that, which is unattainable.  Add to that our fierce desire for instantaneous gratification, and we likely miss the mark altogether.

“Patience makes perfect;” what an odd sounding phrase…but is it really?  When we wait and take our time and let things flow and play out as they should; isn’t it then that things work out better?  I can recall countless times in my own life when I’ve tried to make things happen, rearranging this, frantically reacting to that, and before I know it, I become so frustrated and overwhelmed that I don’t get anything done.  In fact, I sometimes have made the situation far worse.  It’s a funny thing…in trying to achieve perfection; I get the furthest away from it.

“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

Indeed, patience makes perfect…not perfection in its purest sense.  Rather, there is grace and elegance that is born out of the discipline of waiting…it produces a richness that flourishes in maturity.  We see that principle all around us.  An athlete must train day after day before his body reaches peak physical condition; a process that may take months or years even.  But all of that time and effort are well worth it as he proudly steps up to the platform to receive the honor of first place.  A mother-to-be blossoms during her many months of gestation.  Her anticipation is full of excitement and apprehension for she knows the bitter sweetness that will come when it is time to bear her precious child.  Patience spawns a beauty that is the perfect reward for our efforts…a perfection that is well worth the wait.

Whatever you are striving for, may you achieve it through patience and receive your perfect reward.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Fool-hearty and Fancy Free

Fool-hearty and Fancy Free

“Masqueraders” (Detail), 1875-78, Raimundo De Madrazo Y Garreta. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metrolpolitan Museum of Art Store

 

“Fool-hearty and fancy free…let not a care in the world trouble me…”

“The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” Psalm 14:1

April Fool’s Day is approaching. I think of it as a day full of jokes, pranks and lighthearted fun.  What appears to be real is actually fake; it is hard to take anyone seriously. It is easy to be fool-hearted and fancy free on such a day…after all, it’s all in fun isn’t it?  It is on April Fool’s Day… but when the jokes are played out and it’s time to take off the disguises and reveal our true selves…What lies behind the mask you wear?   Will it bring you joy or cause you to despair ?

As I contemplated these questions as they relate to “real life,” I was reminded of what happened in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, found in Matthew’s Gospel (Chapter 25:1-13):

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out:  ‘Here’s the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!’  Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.  Instead, go out to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’  But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.  Later the others also came.  ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’  But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Taking it easy and having carefree fun certainly is not a bad thing.  In fact, it is essential and it provides a healthy balance to our daily lives.  As life will have it, however, things do not always go as planned.  Like the five foolish virgins in the parable, letting our guard down, not preparing for what may lie ahead, may cause undue hardship which can devastate us. Life is a precious gift to be enjoyed…no one can predict the future.  When challenges come your way, when there is no smiling mask to hide behind to make light of a serious situation…will you have what it takes to see you through?

“Fool-hearty and fancy free…for only a time that way we can be…but wisdom knows a better way. How will you prepare your heart today?” Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Peace to you,

Felecia

 

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Green…

What's in a Word - Green

“Green Hydrangea Buds,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Green…What’s in a word?

Grass, lettuce, warmth, love,

happy, springtime,

streaming shades of green from above.

Shamrock, mint, nature, moss

there are so many word to describe this color,

I am not at a loss!

The love of God, the earth below,

pea soup, a golf course,

blades of grass peeking through the snow!

Now it is your turn,

what else have you heard?

Go on, the color green,

can you think of a word?

What’s in this word for you? Do tell me, please.

Given the soon coming of spring and St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, the color green was a natural pick for this month. There is a freshness about that lovely hue, there are so many shades of it; some more yellow others more blue.  Oh my, I can’t seem to stop rhyming .  What’s happening to me?  Perhaps there is magic in this color…try it for yourself and see!

Happy day!

Felecia

 

 

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