Speaking – What’s in a word?

Speaking

“In the Conservatory,” c. 1875-78, James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Speaking – What’s in a word?

Speaking has a way of expressing things untold.

Words relayed softly, or in a way that is sharply bold.

No matter what is spoken, no matter why or how,

Speaking to others is what I’d like to be doing right now!

Talking, conversing, stating, uttering, expressing, communicating…

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

Speaking has become one of my favorite things to do these days.  Living alone has made me realize that expressing myself by speaking to others is not something to be taken for granted.  Although my little dog and I have certainly developed a language that allows us to communicate quite well with each other, conversing with another human being is something that I crave daily.  From sharing the little things that have happened on any given day of the week, to confiding my inner most feelings; speaking and being listened to by others is something that I’ve come to treasure.  I suppose the thing I enjoy the most about it, it is that speaking, listening, and responding to what others say to me makes me feel connected…isn’t it interesting how the human voice has the ability to do that?

May you reach out and speak to others, and by connecting with them, perhaps you’ll make their day a little brighter.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Listening

On Listening

listeningA Quote to Carry You

May 18, 2015

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”  Micah 7:7

On listening – Do you ever hear someone say something to you but when you try to recall what they’ve said, you realize that you hadn’t really listened to them?  Listening involves a great deal more of engaging with someone else than we may think.  I believe that a large part of listening includes more than just hearing; it also means concentrating on what has been said and seeking to absorb and understand it.  When we take the time to go a little deeper and try to comprehend what is being said between the words, then we can fully know how to respond wisely.  As in the scripture verse above, listening also requires a certain amount of observing and waiting.  Sometimes it is difficult to decipher the full meaning of what someone is trying to say when it is written in a note or even relayed over the phone.  When we await the opportunity to converse face to face, we truly receive the message in full.  Many of the best things in life come about similarly.  Giving our full attention to what God is revealing in our lives and awaiting the outcome that we’ve long anticipated to be manifested completely, makes intently listening, (not only with our ears, but with our hearts as well), all the more gratifying.

May you take the time to listen intently to the world around you, and seek out what God is saying to you.  You may be surprised by how blessed you truly are.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Those Solitary Moments

Solitary moments

Photograph courtesy of my nephew, Zachary T. Weber

Those Solitary Moments – How rich they are at twilight and even more beautiful at dawn.

“There is something eerily peaceful about quiet times alone; like the calm before the storm.”  Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Those Solitary Moments

Those solitary moments,

when all is quiet, and faraway sounds seem to be near.

Those times should be embraced, for in them there is nothing to fear.

Sit still, and take in before you, the splendid panorama displayed.

Imagine yourself to be a part of them; do not let them quickly fade.

Those solitary moments,

oh, why are they so few and far between?

What is it that they provide for us?  From them what can we glean?

Sometimes they are mysterious; they are here and no sooner, they are gone.

But how rich they are at twilight and even more beautiful at dawn.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Solitary moments

Photograph courtesy of David Brown

Solitary moments can provide so much for us long after we’ve actually experienced them.  May you absorb your solitary moments, tuck them away in your mind, and relive them when you most need them.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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Toby, Remembering You

Toby, Remembering You

This is Toby, the beloved shih tzu and loyal friend of Ann Marie Hermes. Little Toby brought so much joy to Ann Marie for 14 years of his 16 years of life.

Toby, Remembering You – You were a true companion to me all those years.  So attentive, so steadfast, you were always by my side…

Toby, Remembering You

Toby, remembering you brings joy to my heart,

without you my life has not been the same.

You always made me laugh, my furry, playful boy.

And I still smile whenever I hear your name.

Toby, Remembering YouI never worried about anything when you were around.

You were a true companion to me all those years.

So attentive, so steadfast, you were always by my side.

My memories of you warm my soul; even through my tears.

Toby, Remembering YouToday, remembering you makes every day brighter, you meant so much to me.

Our trips to Alabama, your sense of adventure, the way you loved to explore.

Your sweet and gentle nature, your big round eyes, your fluffy, snow white fur.

Indeed, everything about you my little friend, will I always and forever adore.

Toby, Remembering YouPoem by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com; photographs provided by my cousin Robyn McDonald (courtesy of Ann Marie Hermes)

Toby, Remembering You

Rest in peace my dear little friend…I will always love you.

“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.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Living in the Present

On Living in the Present

living in the presentA Quote to Carry You

May 11, 2015

“‘What Day is it?’  “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.  “My favorite day.” said Pooh.”  A. A. Milne

On living in the present – There is a simplicity in living in the present; living each day as it comes.  I liken the ability to do that with having the heart of a child…something that all adults have experienced to some degree.  Imagine being able to awaken on Sunday morning and truly enjoy all of the blessings that unfold on that day of rest, rather that letting it quickly dwindle away because you’ve set your focus on the challenges that the start of the work week on Monday will bring. Or wouldn’t it be refreshing to take a walk in the rain without worrying that your hair will frizzle when it gets wet?  How about going ahead and splashing in the puddles without caring how muddy your clothes will get?  Or maybe try singing as loud as you want no matter who hears that you are terribly off key.  These are trivial things I know, but that’s my point.  In the whole scheme of things, are the “big” things in life that we worry about as important as we think?  Living in the present allows us to let go of the past, (it has gone, never to return), and stop grasping for the future, (it will arrive soon enough).  Why not give it a try?  You may find that living in the “present” really is a gift.

May you live today in the present…and may each day be your favorite one too.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Something About Being a Mother

Something about being a mother

This photograph captures what I tried to express in my poem below, “There’s Something About Being a Mother.” Pictured here is first-time mom Jennifer Spangler and her adorable baby girl, Lilli.

There is something about being a mother, that inseparable bond…between mother and child.

“Mother, the ribbons of your love are woven around my heart.”  Author Unknown

Something About Being a Mother

There is something about being a mother,

her love for her child creates an inseparable bond.

She sees every action, hears every word, she senses every thought.

Her love has no boundaries that her child can go beyond.

There is something about being a mother,

you have to experience being one to know…

how difficult, how wonderful, how caring for the needs of another,

can give you the strength to go to depths you otherwise would not go.

There is something about being a mother,

she gives all that she can for her precious child.

She teaches, she admonishes, she points to the best way to go.

No matter if she’s disappointed; her love is still tender and mild.

There is something about being a mother,

it is a privilege not every woman has known.

The awesome responsibility, the heartache, the joy.

She is like a beautiful blossom, that grows from a seed deeply sown.

Poem by Felecia R. Weber 2015, Onthewingofadove.com; photograph courtesy of Ian Spangler (Lilli’s proud daddy!)

My best wishes to all mothers, for a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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The Strength of a Woman

Strength of a woman

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s Hope Boykin. Photograph courtesy of Matthew Karas.

The strength of a woman…it is not always physical; for she is capable of so much more.

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”  Proverbs 31:17

The Strength of a Woman

The strength of a woman,

goes beyond expectations.

It is not always physical;

for she is capable of so much more.

The strength of a woman,

how can one even touch the surface?

What may look like weakness to others,

is the very thing that fuels her power.

The strength of a woman,

though mysterious it may seem.

When her world seems to crumble before her,

she simply picks up the pieces and starts building again.

The strength of a woman,

it was uniquely created for her.

With it she has a purpose; with it she has life.

Nothing can destroy her; for her strength is grounded in God.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”  Proverbs 31:25

To all women…may you live powerfully in the strength that only God can provide.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On A Mother’s Work

On A Mother’s Work

mother's workA Quote to Carry You

May 4, 2015

“A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done.” Author Unknown

On a mother’s work.  To say that “a mother’s work is never done” seems like an understatement when it comes to my mom.  It seems that no matter how  late it is at night, or sometimes how early in the wee hours of the morning, I can always count on my mother being there to talk to.  It seems that she never runs out of energy; there is always that one last thing she wants to get done before going to bed.  That one thing invariably turns into those last few things, and before you know it…well suffice it to say that she seems to just be getting her second wind when midnight rolls around  That’s my mom; she’s always doing something.  I so appreciate that about her and I’m happy today that I am much the same way.  As far back as I can remember, my mom has worked hard, no matter what the task, no matter what time of the day or night.  There is something else that I remember even more so too.  Through my mothers work, she showed her love for my dad, my sisters, and me…and that is truly something that she has done, and still does, so very well!  Thanks for all you do Mommy…I love you!

May you be sure to take the time this week to let your mother know how much her work means to you.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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