24 Hours

I was thinking about the hours in the day this morning.  Every single morning, as soon as I finish up with stopping at the last stop to feed the cats, after a whole hour goes by while I am doing it, from 5:15 am. to 6:15 am., I breathe a sigh of relief.  And I turn all that off and concentrate on the next 23 hours of my day.  And I thank God for those 23 hours I have before I have to do it all over again.  I don't think most people think in those terms.  I am extremely cognizant of this because it gives me a chance to renew my spirit, knowing I've filled some very empty bellies out there.  And knowing I still have a life outside of that, to care for my house, my own critters at home, go to work, be productive, or just simply read a book.  I am so grateful for that.

When I got home last night, late, after an after work function our staff had to attend, I found a bag of Dad's cat food.  Thank you to whoever left that for me!  I know this sounds pretty lame, but that was the highlight of my day!  Thats nearly $10 that I won't have to dig deep into my pocket to come up with for the homeless kitties.  Its amazing the people I've met and become friends with through this blog.  Even those I've never met, from across the country, that I've chatted with and they've been kind enough to make a donation, or just send me encouraging words.  I am so grateful for all of you.  If you've been reading this far, and this long, you are truly an angel on this earth and you will be rewarded for your compassionate heart.

I leave you for the day with the following poem, one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it.

A Tear And A Smile


I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart
For the joys of the multitude.
And I would not have the tears that sadness makes
To flow from my every part turn into laughter.

I would that my life remain a tear and a smile.

A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding
Of life's secrets and hidden things.
A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and
To be a symbol of my glorification of the gods.

A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;
A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.

I would rather that I died in yearning and longing than that I live Weary and despairing.

I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the
Depths of my spirit,for I have seen those who are
Satisfied the most wretched of people.
I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and Longing, and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody.

With evening's coming the flower folds her petals
And sleeps, embracingher longing.
At morning's approach she opens her lips to meet
The sun's kiss.

The life of a flower is longing and fulfilment.
A tear and a smile.

The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come
Together and area cloud.

And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys
Until it meets the gentle breeze, then falls weeping
To the fields and joins with brooks and rivers to Return to the sea, its home.

The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting.
A tear and a smile.

And so does the spirit become separated from
The greater spirit to move in the world of matter
And pass as a cloud over the mountain of sorrow
And the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death
And return whence it came.

To the ocean of Love and Beauty----to God.


Khalil Gibran