It is important to have friends. It is important to know people. It is important to have professionals who know how to take care of our safety, health, cars, insurance, legal, and banking needs, and most especially, the education of our children. It’s also important to have a handyman who can come and help when little things occur such as a window screen that blows off during a high wind storm, change a fluorescent light bulb, repair a rail, or move a tree that fell into the yard. I found that handyman, and I’ve told him several times how I appreciate his help. I also pay him.
One time the front lock on our door jammed and the entire lock system had to be changed. Another handyman came and fixed it. In fact, he had a card that read “Mr. Fixit.” He was busy all the time. Trust me, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing there is someone a person can call upon for help.
There are also people who focus on and help us with our spiritual needs. It seems appropriate during this month of Eastertide to mention that spiritual needs speak to a range of needs—peace, a sense of awe, a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and a sense of feeling loved. These feelings can come by means of music, literature, friendship, nature, family, and or course, one’s faith. Listening to performances of Chopin’s “Ballades” gives that feeling to me. Reading a story or a poem that speaks to one’s inner needs is important nourishment. A hike in the outdoors or simply sitting on one’s porch watching the sunset or sunrise can fulfill a need.
I came across a little poem the other day that I think summarizes the appreciation that most people experience. It was written by my father at some point in his life. (He died in 1980.) At any rate, he was an accomplished man, very humble and very educated. I will share it with you:
I’m thankful:
For home, books, and friends,
For forest, field, and flowers,
For breezes that blow, and
For gentle showers…
I’m thankful:
For the glory of Fall
For the inspiring Spring
For birds that sing---
Yes, I’m thankful for everything.
It’s a simple poem but it speaks to what was important to not only him but also to poets and writers of every stripe and nation. April is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH, so in spite of the chaos of national politics and international conflicts, disasters, and tragedies, if one truly examines life, it does seem to boil down to nature, home, friends, words, and music. Poets are handy with words, and sometimes their lines like Mr. Fixit help us adjust and express our feelings. Happy National Poetry Month!
One time the front lock on our door jammed and the entire lock system had to be changed. Another handyman came and fixed it. In fact, he had a card that read “Mr. Fixit.” He was busy all the time. Trust me, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing there is someone a person can call upon for help.
There are also people who focus on and help us with our spiritual needs. It seems appropriate during this month of Eastertide to mention that spiritual needs speak to a range of needs—peace, a sense of awe, a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and a sense of feeling loved. These feelings can come by means of music, literature, friendship, nature, family, and or course, one’s faith. Listening to performances of Chopin’s “Ballades” gives that feeling to me. Reading a story or a poem that speaks to one’s inner needs is important nourishment. A hike in the outdoors or simply sitting on one’s porch watching the sunset or sunrise can fulfill a need.
I came across a little poem the other day that I think summarizes the appreciation that most people experience. It was written by my father at some point in his life. (He died in 1980.) At any rate, he was an accomplished man, very humble and very educated. I will share it with you:
I’m thankful:
For home, books, and friends,
For forest, field, and flowers,
For breezes that blow, and
For gentle showers…
I’m thankful:
For the glory of Fall
For the inspiring Spring
For birds that sing---
Yes, I’m thankful for everything.
It’s a simple poem but it speaks to what was important to not only him but also to poets and writers of every stripe and nation. April is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH, so in spite of the chaos of national politics and international conflicts, disasters, and tragedies, if one truly examines life, it does seem to boil down to nature, home, friends, words, and music. Poets are handy with words, and sometimes their lines like Mr. Fixit help us adjust and express our feelings. Happy National Poetry Month!
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