hope – Jenny Grace's Poetry and Creative Writing Techniques

Merry Christmas!

As all my readers well know by now, I love to walk in gardens and take photos. Just the other day I posted a beautiful flower. On that day, I also took a photo of this beautiful holly tree. It is such a Christmas classic-red holly berries against deep green leaves.

No doubt, Christmas can bring sadness when it dredges up bad memories. Not everyone’s family reflects love and compassion; some are the walking wounded for whom this time of year is a painful reminder of cruelty, criticism and abandonment.

But, there is a family that does reflect love and compassion. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph reminds us that we who are believers in Christ’s promises are members of the eternal family of God.

In this family, we find joy and and assurance that no matter how dark the night, there is a light in that darkness that shines for all eternity for those who believe in Christ.

His light shines upon us and leads us to a peaceful place in our souls.

Christmas is a season that reminds me of that light in the darkness; that star high above me that shines with God’s eternal and infinite love and compassion.

Christ promises us rest in Matthew 11:28 when he says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Rest.

Don’t we all need rest? Haven’t we all grown quite weary with the burdens of the past few years? To say we have all been traumatized is indeed an understatement.

In this Christmas season, look towards the light that shines in the darkness. Look towards Christ and be assured that wherever you are or whoever you are that you are loved beyond human measure. Be assured that you belong to the family of God, that you are loved.

Listen to Christ’s promise: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

And believe.

Merry Christmas!

Pretty Pictures

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It’s been a very long four and half months since I’ve actually taught in the classroom. This morning I returned, but this time with a mask and social distancing. Trust me, that’s difficult when you’re trying to explain a concept and a student asks if you can check their grammar in the paragraph you’ve just assigned. My student and I giggled as we sprayed our hands with antibacterial spray and carefully handled the sheet of paper as if it were a grenade. Our masks obscured our noses and mouths. It felt as if we were either having an early Halloween, an educational masquerade ball, or were extras from the old television show Batman and Robin or the soap opera General Hospital.

While we both were a bit stressed about returning to face to face instruction, we both followed the protocol and actually enjoyed our class. I made sure to disinfect everything as much as possible. It was our first day back and it was successful.

Photography makes me happy. Looking at photos of nature and animals calm me. I wanted to share these with you all. The first picture is a beautiful white duck that used to live in a marsh next to the lake near my house. I love the calming effect of blue and white along with the orange bill of this duck.

The second photo is in Cobh, Republic of Ireland. I took this photo from the window of a tour bus. I thought it was so calming with the soft silvery shadows falling against the late afternoon sky and calm waters.

The third photo is a colorful window box attached to a a happy pink cottage in Bunratty Folk Park, Republic of Ireland.

The fourth photo is a sweet little donkey at Ring of Kerry, the Republic of Ireland.

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This fifth and final photo is of a beautiful white pony at Newtown Farm Guesthouse in Youghal, Republic of Ireland.

Looking at beauty lifts my spirits. As I said, these past few months have been challenging. I feel better getting back into my routine although it is modified. Looking back at these happy memories from my trip to the Republic of Ireland lifts my spirits. They remind me that there is still a beautiful world out there. I can go and see this beautiful world if I choose to. Protocol might be modified, but I have to believe that it will all be better sooner than later. I have to continue to hope and to believe in the future.

I thank all of you for your encouragement during these challenging months.

There is hope for tomorrow. I have to believe that. As soon as I can, I am going to return to the Republic of Ireland and retrace my steps and walk new paths to places I didn’t explore the last time I visited.

Here’s to tomorrow! Never give up hope. Never.

Sunflowers and Hope

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Years ago, I used watercolor to paint this sunflower.

Now that I am at home all the time I have decided to revisit the stacks of artwork I have around my house.

Who knows? I might be a Van Gogh. Well, maybe not a Van Gogh. But, with all the time on my hands I might well be able to perfect my artistic skills and at least. . .I don’t think I will ever be Van Gogh, but I am having fun with returning to my artwork.

I guess with staying home I have decided to make the best of a bad situation and develop my creative skills in both art and writing. I have also found some great websites on how to learn to speak French. I have a notebook that I am taking my French notes in and I am listening to websites in French and reading in French as much as possible.

I am looking ahead to when I can go to France and visit Monet’s garden. I love flowers and Monet’s garden is absolutely exquisite. I have only seen it in photos, but I plan to go as soon as possible. I will take my sketch pad and spend several days just enjoying France.

All this we are going through right now will eventually pass.

There is always tomorrow; there is always hope.

There will always be sunflowers.

Go out tomorrow morning and draw one.

That’s what I plan to do.