Words from the Heart

 The Look of Brotherly Love After twelve hours in surgery, Barry got a new liver.  His best friend, Rob, came to visit in less than 24 hours after giving Barry the gift of Life! Both are doing very well.  The road to recovery will be long, but the prognosis is good. Thanks to all who have sent words of encouragement and support.   Thanks to the medical teams who have cared/are caring for Barry and Rob.  Each of you is a precious gift to us all! Thanks to Rob and his family for giving my brother a new life.  Words will never be enough to show our gratitude. May the blessings of this gift of Love ripple out touching all for many years to come.

  The word " brother " is found in many languages. (Just to name a few - Old English broþor, from Proto-Germanic *brothar ( cf. Old Norse broðir, Danish broder, Old Frisian brother, Dutch broeder, German Bruder, Gothic bróþar), from PIE root *bhrater (cf. Sanskrit bhrátár-, Old Persian brata, Greek phratér, Latin frater, Old Irish brathir, Welsh brawd, Lithuanian broterelis, Old Prussian brati, Old Church Slavonic bratru, Czech bratr "brother" )  I have been blessed with brothers, in fact, I was the only girl in our family of four children.  My brother, Barry, and I are what some call "Irish Twins," because our birthdays are just over a year apart. We have, as often happens, been close since childhood. Barry will turn 59 on Monday.  This is big day for him, not because of his birthday, but because he is entering the hospital for the life-giving gift of a new kidney.  The new kidney comes by way of his best buddy, Rob, who it turns out is the perfec...

  Photo Credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Curveball_topspin.svg Sometimes, Life throws you one of those curve balls that comes out of no where, or at least appears to come out of no where.  We have a few choices.  We can run like heck to catch the ball.  Curl up and hope it doesn't hit us.  Or, we can simply stand still and wait, hoping someone else will catch it. Recently, a curve ball was sent spiraling into my family.  Since I can neither curl up, nor stand still, I am running like crazy.  I hope and pray that this ball will be caught and all will be well.  I know this all seems cryptic, and it is.  Let me tell you a story... My brother, Barry and I are what my mother called "Irish Twins." I was born in September and he was born in November the next year.  When we were growing up people thought we were twins.  I never minded.  I love Barry.     Barry and I on the first day ...

Over the years, I have written poems about and for different people in my life.  I have shared many of them here, knowing that the words I write might also touch another's heart and soul. With Father's Day fast approaching, I thought I would once again share a poem I have written to honor the men in my life.   For my Dad, who died over five years ago, but he is still such a huge part of my life.   For my brother, who lives not too far from me, was my childhood buddy and co-conspirator.  During our teens through our forties, we didn't see much of each other, but now, we are able to share with each other, regularly.     For my sons-in-love, the young men that have fathered my grandchildren and cherish my daughters. They constantly amaze me with their talents, creativity and wisdom. For my sweetheart, who is one of the most sensitive, loving fathers I have ever met.  His ability to guide, rather than push; to adv...

The words are few for this post...pictures say it all. These are some of my favorite moments: My brother Barry and me at the beach in South Boston - 1957 My girls and our exchange student, Pablo from Argentina 1993 Rainbow over South Deerfield, MA 2008 Cardinal in the snow 2008 Farm in New York 2007 Tree Hugging 2007 Resting with a friend 2008 Roger and I - top of Mt. Holyoke 2008 Sunflower 2006 Luna moth caterpillar on gladiola Barry and me at Duxbury Beach, MA 1959