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Thursday, March 7, 2019

#BalanceforBetter-March Musings'19/sol19/Day7

I come from a line of strong women who sought balance amidst everyday challenges. They traveled far from home to settle in an unknown land. They toiled, wept, rejoiced, and engaged in life to celebrate living. As a child, I watched in awe as my Nonnie mindfully practiced her religion and joyfully engaged in creative arts. Then, when I had children of my own, I had the opportunity to watch my creative Mother lovingly guide my children.

Tonight I join poet, teacher Catherine Flynn, host of Poetry Friday who is celebrating International Women's Day and Two Writing Teachers for the March SOLSC 19. In tribute of strong woman everywhere, I celebrate my Nonnie and Mother. Their story started long ago in Italy. 1921 was a year of change for them, as they sailed to America.

Remember the women
Life creators
Inspiration givers
Vessels of hope.
Grandmother, mother
With gentle hands 
Providers of joy
Blessed are they. 
Pure in heart and spirit
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Their place of peace.
Remember these women
Who came before us
Who left a legacy of
Strength and pride.
They are remembered.
Their memories are
Held in the hearts
Of the living.  
©CV, 2019

International Women's Day 2019 Theme

From the poet Rupi Kaur, #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of two collections of poetry.  














i stand
on the sacrifices 
of a million women before me 
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther


                          7/31

12 comments:

  1. I saw the Rupi Karr poem on Instagram a couple days ago and sent it to a former student who is in Sweden doing a study abroad. I love your poem, and these strong women in your life sound wonderful.

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    1. Glenda, thank you for reading my poem about two loves of my life. They are my sheroes. Did you see the late night interview with Rupi Kaur? She is a spirited young lady.

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  2. Your poem brought tears to my eyes. It's what my mother and grandmother were to me and what I hope to be as a mother and grandmother.
    P.S. If it's not too late, I plan to submit my Equation poem and photo for the gallery this weekend. It's been a bit of a crazy week.

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    1. Kimberly, thank you for being touched by my poem. I look forward to receiving your offering for my winter galllery.

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  3. aww, thanks for sharing about your Nonnie! We have so many women to thank, don't we? xo

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  4. I too feel fortunate to have had women before me to show me good ways to live, Carol. Lovely post and poem, "Remember these women
    Who came before us
    Who left a legacy of
    Strength and pride." And Rupi Kaur's words are wonderful, too. I agree. Thank you!

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  5. 'Vessels of hope' - three words that portray so much. Reading about the women who have shaped us seems to have a common theme; it is so often in the ordinary things that women are great - and that is so empowering.

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  6. Your poem is so clear and strong....Blessed are those...just beautiful as I can only imagine Nonnie's faith being the inspiration for those words. Yes, you are a strong woman...so fortunate to be one of those you describe. Wonderful poem.

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  7. Yes to the many women before us who are and were "Inspiration givers," inspiration is so important especially in our turbulent times today. Beautiful tribute poem Carol to your Nonnie and Mom, and women everywhere, thanks!

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  8. Carol, your poem is a wonderful celebration of your Nonnie and mother. It is so important to "remember the women" who sacrificed so much to shape and nurture us! Thank you, too, for sharing Rupi Kaur's poem. I hadn't seen it before.

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  9. Your poem honors your grandmother and mother, while mine casts a wider net to all the women in my small town. No matter which, the women in our lives made us who we are.

    I love that quote/poem by Rupi Kaur.

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  10. I love the Rupi Kaur poem and yours as well. Your love and pride in your mother and grandmother shines in this post. Thanks for sharing.

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