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21 October 2012

Of Time and Pain... and Gratitude (A Birthday Reflection)

I once dreamed of a sweet and gentle life
Where bliss greeted me at the door
And soft rose petals covered my bed...

But dreams are just dreams
And reality brings more pain
Than one can ever imagine...

Sheltered all my life
I thought it would all be easy
After all, up until then, life was a breeze...

Imagine my surprise
When the life I knew was suddenly interrupted
By people who thought they knew better...

Not only was there pain but shame as well
The crowd that used to surround us
Slowly dissipated into thin air...

Thank God for family and TRUE friends
It took one misfortune to unmask these faces
I wouldn't have survived without them...

Then you get to realize that
There is no such thing as an easy life
Everyone has an ordeal to tell...

Mine is a story of LOST love, life and hope
Until I decided to take the reins again
And stand up on my own...

Mine is a story of independence and liberation
Not of war but of love for life
A quest for deeper meaning of my existence...

You see, seven years ago
I would have perished with James
And my three kids would have been orphaned...

But no, God had other plans
These kids are my mission
They are meant for greater things...

And I am here to guide and lead them
To the paths that the good Lord
Has paved for them...

God has been good to us
And I feel blessed to have everything we need
Enough lessons to teach us gratitude...

Now whenever I hear my kids say "thank you"
For every little nice thing done to them
I thank God for life lessons that were not wasted...





(Re-posted from A Birthday Reflection)


© Bing Yap [PinkLady] 2012
All Rights Reserved



28 comments:

  1. Much compressed into a short poem, with the essential truths coming through very clearly. I'm glad you found your way through.

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  2. wht a touching write up...the bitter facts of life..i loved it :)

    sarah

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  3. and that we can rise above these bitter facts...

    thanks for the visit, subtlescribbler. :)

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  4. your love and optimism shine through your words! the loss will never go away but you sound like it has made you stronger. good for you! great poem!
    why must we be a world apart?

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  5. my heart's love songs, i enjoyed your "world apart" piece. thanks for the visit. :)

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  6. hey you...its been a while...lovely....i agree thank god for family and friends to walk life with us...it is not promised to be easy and having them along with us to travel it is a blessing...

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  7. Your story is a story of triumph. You went through a difficult 'time' and rose above. And I thank you for your openness in sharing. What a beautiful example you are for your children!

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  8. hi brian... almost 2 years, i think... blame it on facebook. lol! nothing beats blogging though. i missed writing poems so i'm back here again. thanks for the visit. :)

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  9. thank you for the nice words, mary. i now live for my kids, that's why. :)

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  10. You have endured much adversity, but it has made you stronger and more focused. Your babies will always be forever grateful for that.

    Have a terrific day honey. Big hugs. :)

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  11. Thank God you were spared, so your kids have a mother. I love stories of people transcending their circumstances - and yours is such a story. You are heroic, kiddo. Your kids are lucky to have you!

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  12. Your poem touched me deeply. Your kids are lucky to have you as their mother. Your words are the evidence of how powerful and healing poetry can be... thank you for sharing. I can't imagine what you must have gone through and continue to go through, but your strength of heart and clarity of your spirit really shine through.

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  13. You have found strength in your children and life is still full and beautiful..in spite of the pain...thank you for sharing..

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  14. sandee, sherry, serena, george, kkkkaty,

    thanks for the nice comments. i have found comfort and healing through poetry. this blog has become my sanctuary. thank you so much for showing appreciation.

    indeed, life is beautiful. xoxo

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  15. Bing,

    Your words are so beautiful and so sincere... You write with such passion, having had to live and cope with such a loss. I appreciate how you share your experiences, through your words..You will never know just how much your writing might help another person, who finds them.

    Happy Sunday,
    Eileen

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  16. This is written so beautifully, you express yourself so well. I am so glad that God gave you the strength to survive for your children, in turn it gave you the strength to survive for yourself!
    Love you,
    Janet :)

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  17. dear eileen,

    yes, i have also realized that is part of my journey- to help others who are still a bit lost on the same path. i have met a few and i tell you, there is a profound sense of fulfillment in being able to assure someone that "everything is going to be alright" and he/she believes you.

    thanks for the kind words. :)

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  18. i'm so sorry, kim. that wasn't the intention. xoxo

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  19. hi janet, thanks so much. there is nothing impossible with faith. in His time, everything is beautiful. belated happy birthday, girl. love yah too. <3

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  20. great take on tragedy, the way you turned it upside down and used it to empower your future is remarkable, the old "i'm on a mission from God" quote that is used here and there, but in your piece, that quote really comes to life, without really stating it. I know just what you mean about how people leave you once problems take place. It was both shocking and eye opening to me after I got hurt and at first everyone was around for support but then slowly but surely the calls slowed, the hanging out stopped and then eventually it's just you and the true people in your life. Outstanding piece, inspiring. thanks

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  21. as they say, it is during the darkest moment of your life when you'll find out who the real friends are who would walk with you in the dark and willingly serve as your beacon.

    thanks for the nice comment, fred.

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  22. This is a heart felt share ~ I think God has his plans for each one of us, even if its not in our favor, hopefully we will appreciate His wisdom along the way ~

    Nice to meet you ~

    (aka Heaven)

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  23. as they always say, things happen for a reason. we shouldn't ask "why?" but ask instead "what will i learn from this?" indeed, wisdom comes along the way. thanks so much, grace (heaven). :)

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"Never are we nearer the Light than when the darkness is deepest."-Swami Vivekananda-

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you think that this post has moved you or touched your heart in any way, please don't hesitate to leave your comment, insight or opinion here. ♥

Blessings to you,
Bing