As 2009 draws to a close, I have the luxury of reflecting on the many events which have had an impact on my life. This has been a year of profound loss and tremendous gain. The end result of this profit-loss margin is that I have re-membered myself. I realized that by giving away so much of myself I had actually become what can best be described as dis-membered. When I realized what had happened and looked around and saw my body parts strewn about, I decided that I would work to "re-member" who I was supposed to be. I was not supposed to be so burdened with other people's lives that I forgot to live my own. I was not created to be a walking narcotic designed to numb other people's pain. I was not divinely designed simply to be viewed and used as an accessory to be 'worn' until I was 'worn out'. No, this was not my Creator's intent when my mother's belly grew with hope and high expectations. The Creator designed my life to be lived and lived well. My life was created to be an example of a work in progress and not just a piece of work! I am restringing my pearls and roasting a pig on the spit for my last meal of the year. (see Matthew 7:6 to see how Jesus phrased it)
As 2009 gives way to 2010, I would like to thank those who spoke words of encouragement when I needed it most. I have chosen three Nikkis to represent the people who have spoken and in some cases breathed life back into my body...
Thank you, Nikki C. for your constant encouragement and neighborly kindness. Your friendship and loving support have proven invaluable to me. Your ability to stand by me in the most difficult of times means the world to me. There is a newness to our friendship which I hope will last well into our gray haired years. Thank you, Nikki C.
Thank you Nikki T.T. for springing up from the past and reminding me that some people can be a part of your life for a season and even when you have not been able to keep up, you can always find a way to catch up as if no time had ever passed. Thank you for saying that if I ever wrote a blog that you would read it! Thank you Nikki T.T.
Thank you, Nikki G. for your example of divine creativity at work. You are a sister, co-creator, advisor and you are more fuse than muse! We are never alone in this unless we choose to be. Thank you for the gift of A Poem of Friendship...
We are not lovers
because of the love
we make
but the love
we have
We are not friends
because of the laughs
we spend
but the tears
we save
I don't want to be near you
for the thoughts we share
but the words we never have
to speak
I will never miss you
because of what we do
but what we are
together
(Thank you, Nikki G.)
Until next time, may God bless you as the old passes away and the new comes into view...
Shalom!
