To see and say a giving…

To you,  dear ones, who come ’round and read the words
I sometimes write down…
it’s been years of kindness,
of you bringing the balm
that stirred my joy and made my heart feel safe.
On this harsh and prickly planet we navigate,
how did I receive such a gentle listening shoulder
for to process the tumble?
For all of my rough drafts and question-wrestling
and especially in these days when I could barely return the visit
or the nod.

Every single comment has felt like rainwater
to this farmer whose love language
is words of affirmation.
And gifts.   That someone takes the time is a gift and I hold it as so.
To be acknowledged feels a powerful thing;
hand to my heart for each verbal flower you’ve left at my door.
Visual hugs are potent
and I’ve received them many here.
Thank you for coming around.

They say you write what you need.
This year I made a book which became the gift I needed to give and receive,
like a bright bunch of flowers left at a door
with a little card dangling from the twine wrapped simple around the jar.
It’s 90 pages of affirmation, little love notes to whisper
“I’m for you,
so for you
….only every always for you.”
As if some gentle mystery keeps drawing your eyes
when the clock marks 4:44.
A God-wink with warm affection for the beauty
that is you.
(this is what grew up in the garden from my one little word
planted early in the year.)

If you know someone who’d feel hugged by this,
I think my little book may be welcome gift.

“But what I thought, and what I still think, and always will,
is that she saw me.  Nobody else has ever seen me –
me, Jenny Gluckstein – like that.
Not my parents, not Julian, not even Meena.
Love is one thing – recognition is something else.”
– Peter S. Beagle

“There is no greater gift you can give others
than to acknowledge them.”
– John Williams

(It’s big joy to send a copy of Tell Me Something Good Volume 2
to giveaway winner,
my high school English teacher,  Jane Brocious,
who has been forgiving me the liberties I take with the english language
for many, many years:)
One more giveaway before the holidays
– leave a comment and you’re in the drawing
to receive another copy.

And again, thank you for every kind word ever.
With big love.

You can purchase a copy of this bundle of love notes on my etsy site on the sidebar
or at Singing River Studios.