Writing it out and listening to trees...






Writing it out..
I have taken to morning writing…if only to quiet the activity in my mind. Given the tragic event and sadness around the horrific attack that occurred in Boston, you might feel the need to write as well.  I have written about this before…freewriting. It helps in all sorts of situations.  It is for the words that float in your mind, never staying still, until you write them down. The message can be as clear as day once the words are before you. If you are struggling with your thoughts and can’t seem to get hold of them. Write, type…pour it out…every last word. It may help... I hope it does.



The sound of trees..
I started this post last week and hesitated but decided that many of you will understand. We lost a wonderful man recently, a friend, who left this world too soon. When people pass on I think of a poem by Maya Angelou,  When Great Trees Fall.  It was sent to me after my father passed away and although I did not appreciate it right away, I came to understand. I had the same feeling after reading an article by Bill Hayes, A Year in Trees . If you can appreciate where I am coming from...you will understand as well.





Paying it forward..
I have a file of articles, messages and poems like the ones mentioned above.  They were passed on to me from friends, each feeling the connection of loss and hoping to ease my pain.  I pass them on as well, hoping that at the right time in their life, it will provide a friend with some solace.

Before I sign off,  I want to thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions on my last post..you truly are the most wonderful readers. I think we are all blessed for having met each other via the written word...truly.

Breathe deeply...
I leave you with this..breathe deeply and if you are of a praying mind..please pray with me..











Comments

  1. Jeanne you are such a tremendous writer and more often than not seem to be tapped into what I'm thinking or feeling. I miss my quiet time and it too use to be in the a.m. I'm still struggling with trying to write again. I can't find my voice. I am sorry for the loss of a friend. I enjoyed reading Bill Hayes' article. I understand loss now & its lasting effect. Just as in Angelou's poem, don't we all want to know 'we existed'? The Great Bell Chant was beautiful. Brings a moment of peace amongst all the sadness after yesterdays tragedy. I wish you a lovely day Jeanne & thank you. xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. A thousand thanks Jeanne for this video. Yesterday, as the sadness of Boston was unfolding, a young friend and his roommate were attacked at gunpoint in their University residence in Florida. They were both robbed and the roommate grotesquely raped. We all need now to send this message of love and healing out into the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacqueline..it just breaks your heart that people have to suffer at the hand of evil.my daughter asked why things like this happen..such a difficult question to answer. xx

      Delete
  3. Thank you so much for this Jeanne. It helped me a lot.
    xo,
    h

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Jeanne, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredible, deeply moving post and beautiful poem, and floating voice of solace...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so glad they resonated with you as well Natalie...xx

      Delete
  5. What a lovely poem, Jeanne. I am keeping it in the file of poems that you know I have, little jewels I refer back to time after time, year after year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We know the story of that one Teri..very well...seeing that it is how we met. Two kindred spirits.. xx

      Delete
  6. I was moved, touched, and had a good cry. My father died before I had time to remember him.
    Thank you Jeanne.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SI..I do believe that sometimes we need the tears to find our way.. xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. i have no words. i've barely spoken today. i'm filled with such sadness.
    you have inspired me however, to write in the morning. i think i will try and set my alarm a half hour earlier..just to have some quiet before the rush of the day. by night i'm usually too tired to write and it's my reading time. but, my journals need some attention and i think i will join you in the mornings.

    and yes..i'm praying along with you for my beloved boston.
    thank you for this post jeanne..peace and love to you xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very beautiful Jeanne. Most times, writing it out does help a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jeanne, I find as I age that these things seem to weigh on my more and more and I search for answers to this and other horrific events. Your beautiful poem and video will go into my file to keep. Thank you for sharing...and offering a smile and solace in the "storm" of life.

    xx Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said Elizabeth..we truly are experiencing the "storm of life" when events like this occur. It shakes you to your core.
      Coming back is the trick...xx

      Delete
  11. Thank you Jeanne for the lovely poem by Maya Angelou it has touched my heart...my wonderful Dad died in December 2011 and I miss him so much and think of him everyday; I'm so happy to know this poem.
    A very beautiful post...I join you in prayer.
    With love
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Catherine...I keep it by my side..the last few lines are so powerful, it helps. xx

      Delete
  12. Yes, you have a beautiful pen. English is not my native language but I can read you and understand easily. Since last December the first, I lost my mother and both my in-laws. In less that 3 months. The video, the sound of the bell, the images, the words take my breath away and, this afternoon, it will be a premisse for my yoga class. It is a great pain, sorrow, what happened in Boston, a city I love and visited a few times. This city reminds me of Québec City near where I live. I cannot imagine the same scenario happening in the city of Québec. My toughts are with all the victims of this tragedy. Thank you for taking the time to write down beautiful words for us to read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne...what a difficult hardship to carry in such a short amount of time. I am truly sorry for your loss. I am heartened that you have found your way here..and glad to know that a few words in this post, helped you in a some way. Bless..xx

      Delete
  13. Thank you, Jeanne. This post offered solace most beautifully and helped me find a way toward peace and renewed energy to counter evil with love. Leslie in Portland, Oregon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Leslie..it is encouraging to read your words and know that something resonated with you. I went 'off topic' from my usual posts but I had a feeling readers like yourself would understand. xx

      Delete
  14. The last stanza of the poem "When great trees fall" has particular resonance; it is a life line.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jeanne - The Great Bell Chant brought be back to centre from a very troublesome place. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad Kyle..you are getting close, thining of you.. xx

      Delete
  16. Jeanne I'm so sorry for your loss. This is one of my favorite poems by Maya Angelou, and it's such a beautiful tribute to someone who has passed away. Her last lines are so powerful.
    I keep paper and pen next to my bed and I try to write when I wake up, interesting what comes out of a sleepy semi-conscious mind. Lately there's been lots of tender feelings that have to do with loss. Maybe it's the old hormones, but it made the Boston event even more emotional.
    Thank you for the Bell Chant, I liked it. And i'm enjoying all the decorating talk about the new home. How exciting, you had such great input about that porch of yours. I can't wait to see it all unfold.
    Blessings,
    Leslie (Gwen Moss)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Deepest sympathy Jeanne for your loss. Thank you for the advise about freewriting. I practice it now and I find it takes me to a better direction in writing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Great Bell Chant struck a chord with me today.....and then I shared it with my husband. It is truly beautiful and brings peace to one's heart in times of stress. We used to live near Boston, one year even stood with our then little children, watching the marathon, in the same spot as where these horrific bombings took place.........how sad life is when nobody is safe to enjoy simple pleasures with their families and friends

    Thank you for sharing Jeanne...........and BTW I'm happy you have found a new home. Are you sad to be leaving Vietnam? I did love visiting there in 2011, but perhaps would not want to live there long - perhaps 6 months or so to get the true feel of a place. I would want to stay in Hoi An - that was my favorite town.
    Take care and be happy.

    Hugs - Mary

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Can I just say....that I so enjoy what YOU have to say. If you would like to write to me directly, I would love to hear from you... jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

Popular Posts