Achieve
greater peace and power by learning to express gratitude.
In
Honor of Veterans
Lula
Morton Drewes, Ph.D.
Have you thanked a Soldier lately, or
any of the other men and women in uniform who work to keep us safe
and sound? SOLDIERS! Glorified and vilified – today,
yesterday and tomorrow. Who among us would volunteer to do their
job, especially in times of war? And, when is it not a time of war –
in some place and through all time?
Let us, from time to time, remember the
service of SOLDIERS – today, yesterday and tomorrow, and
let us take some time to express our gratitude.
The Veterans of the wars
of our world;
we often cheer them when
they march off to war –
strong and proud.
We often ignore them when
they return from war –
weak and wounded.
Each day, the media informs us of
military victories and casualties. There are, however, thousands of
Veterans we rarely hear about who desperately plead for honor,
respect and assistance.
Around the world, in quiet desperation
and away from the limelight, individual Veterans and their families
struggle to heal from the wounds of war. Too often these Veterans
are children. Most often they are young men and women just beginning
to live their lives independently. Yet, the attempts of many to
live, work and to take care of their families are hindered by the
wounds of war. There are the very visible physical wounds - the
missing limbs and the disfigured faces. And, there are the invisible
wounds – the broken hearts, the shattered hopes and dreams, the
traumatized spirits, the depression, the anxiety and panic, the
horrifying screams of the night and terrifying flashbacks during the
day.
In their efforts to find peace after
war, to regain strength and power, and to feel dignity and respect;
Veterans are pleading, praying and asking:
Will you cheer and
support our recovery
from the wounds of war?
Will you help us to
rebuild our lives?
Or,
will you look away?
The following poem is dedicated to all
Veterans – today, yesterday and tomorrow – with deep respect and
sincere gratitude. This poem was inspired by the brave words of a
U.S. Army officer who was wounded in the Iraq War, and who spoke on
CNN, June 14, 2008. It is dedicated to him and to all the brave men
and women who have and continue to serve their countries, especially
in times of war.
A Wounded Soldier’s
Plea and Prayer:
Don’t Look Away
Lula
Morton Drewes, Ph.D.
Don’t look away.
Don’t look away
when you see me come.
Don’t turn your head,
and try to run.
Show me
that you know my pain;
that you know of the war
from whence it came.
Show me
you know that I left my home;
I heeded the call,
I stood tall,
and took the fall
so that you could stay home
in peace.
Don’t look away.
You’ve seen me come.
You’ve watched me go.
So much in between
you’ll never know.
But, know that I
have faced the beast.
I’ve felt his sting.
I’ve heard his roar,
and then was sent back
to face some more.
Don’t look away.
You knew me well
on the sunny side
when our flag flew high,
and we marched with pride.
You knew me well
in my days of health.
You praised my strength
and shared my wealth.
My wealth of health
was ripped in shreds.
My strength
is but a shadow.
My family too has lost its hold
as they have struggled to hold onto me.
Their shinning star
has fallen far.
Now my wife, my children
feel constant war.
Their voices are silent
though their pain rings loud.
They walk alone
in many a crowd.
Don’t look away.
I think of my buddies,
of their sorrowful plight.
My tears keep me awake
so many a night.
The sounds;
still so loud,
the lights,
oh so bright,
the smells still so vivid
I shiver in fright.
The dead speak to me clearly.
The living dead sing mournful song.
I’m haunted by their voices
all the day long.
Don’t look away.
My need now is great.
My flesh is torn,
My heart is worn.
The cheering crowds are long gone.
I sit and cry alone.
I search the crowds for a friendly
smile.
I hope often in vain
for a hand.
Before I can speak,
before my story is told,
you’re off and running
in search of new gold.
Don’t look away
because my shine seems gone,
and others seem so fair.
My new wealth lies deep;
my gold is rare.
There is light within my soul.
I still have treasure to share.
Though as a babe in need
today I stand,
my heart, my mind
is that of a woman, a man.
Today I bow,
I stumble,
I fall.
But, with your help
again I’ll stand tall.
Welcome me home
with open arms.
Let me know that you care.
Look into my eyes,
call out my name.
Help me know
that my sacrifice was not in vain.
Give me your hand,
help me carry this load.
Take my hand
as I stumble down this rocky road.
Don’t look away.
Together,
we can survive -
the weak and the strong.
Together,
we can find
how to right the wrongs.
Don’t look away.
Look into my eyes,
and together we will pray
that we all will find peace
some day.
© Copyright. Lula Morton Drewes,
Ph.D. 2008. All rights in all media reserved. Please copy or
reprint only with permission of the author.
Reach for Words of Wisdon
Faith
is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the
light.
As
far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to
kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.
Faith
is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.
Sometimes
our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.
Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this
light.
Just a
Little Gratitude
Lula Morton
Drewes, Ph.D.
Gratitude.
Most of us like it
when we get it.
Yet, it pains many of us
when we need to give it.
We hate it when we think it’s due,
but wait in vain for that simple “thank
you”.
We often chock on these words
when we feel obligated.
Debt to another,
how we hate it.
A favor, a present,
anything will do
to lessen that feeling of
“I owe you”.
Envy awakens when its words ring true,
but they’re addressed to another
and not to you.
But, there’s no need to wait
for another to reveal it.
We can soften our own hearts
when we remember to feel it.
A
Reach Challenge
Reach beyond your
comfort zone. Reach beyond what comes easy and automatic to express
your gratitude. What would a gentle, nonjudgmental look at your
patterns of expressing gratitude show? What can you learn from the
choices and actions you are, or are not, making? What challenges
face you?
Reach
to Believe:
Something
wonderful is about to happen!!!!!!
Belleruth Naprastek
Audiotape: Rheumatoid Arthritis
or Lupus
Time Warner Audiobooks
Wishing
you peace and power, and the courage to reach!!!
Lula Morton
Drewes, Ph.D.
Quotations
from The Quote Garden (www.quotegarden.com).
©
Copyright 2013 Lula Morton Drewes, Ph.D. All rights in all media
reserved.
Please
do not copy without permission of the author.
