TRANSITIONS – 2011-TO-2012

[Photo Source:  Google online images "New Year 2012"]

(23 DEC 2011 -- The endings and beginnings of events in our Lives are what stand in our memories.  For some there is birth, another death, and still others an illness or infirmity that are part of the passing Year 2011.  Feelings of Grief may shadow the close of the Year 2011 due to the ending of a marriage, relationship, occupation, education, service, or financial status.  While looking forward to 2012, those living may resolve to 'turn a new leaf', make a change, or gather new courage to just continue in the face of diminished Hope.  dht)

As the Year 2011 comes to a close, so the New Year 2012 awaits to begin.

For some the Year 2011 will be carved into their gravestone as the sign of the ending of their Life's Journey.

For others the Year 2011 will be written as their birthdate on their Birth Certificate.

For still others the Year 2011 will be remembered as the date of Graduation from school, entering or exiting the US Military, Marriage, Divorce, buying a car or house, bankruptcy, or more.

This New Year 2012 holds the sameness of prior years in Nature's Seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

There are also the same special Holidays in which to pause and ponder the World around us and our place in it.

There will be births, deaths, and other events of a person's Life on the Pages of the Calendar for 2012.

For many the Transition to the New Year 2012 is merely the Turning of a Page on a Calendar.

What will be the final notes on Your Appointment Calendar as 2011 Pages are closed? 

What reminders will be jotted down on the Calendar as 2012 Pages are opened?

[May the Angel on your shoulder watch over you all the moments of your Life's Journey.  HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2012. DOROTHY HAZEL TARR]

THE SISTERHOOD

[Photo L-to-R: Dorothy Hazel Tarr and younger sister Betty Lucille Tarr]

(20 DEC 2011 – Time cures all ills and heals all wounds – so say many quotations.  Forgiveness is a blessing one bestows on oneself.  Shame me once, Shame on me – Shame me more than once, Shame on you.  Enough is enough – I've had enough.  It's time to move on and let the past fall away with all the hatred.  The only way it seems to let it "go", is to let you "go" too.  Therefore, I release you from this day from any familial connection to me.  dht)

 I remember you, little Sister, as a little girl, but now I feel that we are strangers with little to nothing in common – but our DNA.

I know I won't hurt your feelings as I say this with complete honesty – you have forfeited your 'sisterhood' and 'familial ties' !!

Dredging up the past only brings painful memories back, and when I see your photos, hear your voice (so like my own), I'm reminded of how deep your betrayal in ALL THINGS!!

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

THE PATH – THE JOURNEY

[Photo Source: Sunrise -- my camera, my neighborhood 2011]

(19 DEC 2011 – As my Journey's End hovers ever closer on the horizon, I look at each NEW DAY as a gift that is mine to hold until Day's END. dht) 

Life happens as the Sun makes its Journey across our Path.

The Sunrise Promises HOPE and a New Beginning.

The Sunset Promises Peace and a Quiet Slumber.

Somewhere in between, the Dreams of youth blend with the experience of our Reality.

Then in a wink of Time, our Life is past, the Journey done, forever we rest in peace.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

[Photo Source: Sunset -- my camera, my neighborhood 2011]

ODE TO A SUNRISE

           [Photos Source and Credit: Dave Wagenblatt   dave@getgrandresults.com ]
{These beautiful photos of Nature's Sunrise were taken in Grand Lake, Oklahoma, by Dave Wagenblatt, and are posted here for your viewing  enjoyment.  Dave is a Family member.  Thank You Dave for sharing your LOVE of SUNRISEs!  dht}

(8 DEC 2011 -   With the Birth of a New Day, one has but to look to the Sun Rise over the eastern Horizon to feel its Blessings and to somehow have the myriad tangle of emotions soothed.  dht) 

The other worldliness of daytime's shrubbery engenders an eerie ire for those who would brave a stroll -- as Nature assumes its nightly cloak.

There is a cautious stillness that accompanies one's shallow breath while perambulating around the neighborhood.

The only audible sounds – those of ducks and birds at their evening ablutions.

My Spirit proffers an inaudible reply to Nature's call for "Taps," as the sinking sun slips into slumber.

The soft breeze, rustling in the leaves of the Oak Trees, gives a final fare-thee-well.

The "storms" of the day find their rest, and a quiet mood settles down upon the Land.

The night holds the land in quiet slumber.

The night is black – silver threads of moonlight tease the shadows to a melodious serenade.

All too soon, the new dawn will awaken – as the stars that held vigil through the night, begin to fade, yielding their tour to the sunrise's hint of color across a morning's eastern horizon.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr - 2011]

BEGINNINGS and ENDINGS

[Photo Credit: Dave Wagenblatt   dave@getgrandresults.com ]

(1 DEC 2011 – This is just a short offering that sprang to my mind today.  And, as Fate Wills, this photo was shared with me by a Family Connection.  I hope the words speak for themselves – I know this TERRIFIC photo of a brilliant sunrise speaks to me.  dht)

The Eleventh month leads to – December.

The Eleventh month leads to – The Ending of the Year.

The Eleventh hour leads to – Midnight.

The Eleventh hour leads to – The Ending of the Day.

The Eleventh hour leads to – The Beginning of a Sunrise.

The Eleventh grade leads to – High School Graduation.

The Eleventh month leads to – The First Birthday.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

Signs of Winter's Season

           [Photo Source: My Photos, my camera, my backyard images]

(1 DEC 2011 – Every point on the sundial has its Season – every Life has its turn -- Winter's setting is the ending of one.  dht)

  

Winter sunlight dappled on the frosted landscape.

Cold winds blew through barren boughs.

Scents of CHRISTMAS pine delighted the nose.

December's stark repose held in Nature's embrace.

OH!  -- The signs of Winter's Season.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

  [Photo Source: My Photos, my camera, my backyard images]

The Scene in the Window

                          [Photo Source: Google online images]

(1 DEC 2011 – A song without sound – a song without music. A song is sung, but the melody is mute.  dht)

CHORUS:

    Another year passes and

   the scene in the Window changes.

A Knee is bent and a Ring accepted.

A Veil is lifted and a wedding Kiss is shared.

A Child is born and lies in its Crib.

A Gavel is struck and a Marriage is severed.

A Web appears and Youth's image is lost.

A Tear falls and a Timeless River flows.

A Pen in hand and a Life's Story is written.

A prayer of dust-to-dust and a Journey ends.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011] 

                           [Photo Source: Google online images]

Whispered Secrets in a Fog

                             [Photo Credit: Google online images]
  

(30 NOV 2011 – Some words cast new shading on everything one thinks about themselves – now, yesterday, and tomorrow.  How sharp the contrast between my Heart's Abode – now worn and faded with Time's despair – and the images that flash across a reluctant mind, as dazzling and fresh as ever.  Some memories burn too hot to ever fade in the early morning fog.  dht)

 

The softest of breezes ruffles the morning's gray Fog –

Where whispered Secrets are spoken in hushed tones –

Where wisps of a new day play in the early mist.

Astonishing how a few short fierce words can pierce the gray of the world with a single beam of insight.

Then the Sun marches forth to reveal the Mysteries of a brilliant sky –

Then the Whippets of gray disperse in the sunny warmth of a new day.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

Winter's Secret Garden

[Photo Source: National Geographic online images]

(30 NOV 2011 – Another day, another year in the Calendar of Life.  Loss draws out every shade – every color – of emotion, as the hollow echoes of a broken Heart lay buried in the harsh reality of an inherently cold and Loveless existence.  A poignantly written story of a Lifetime of woe in the aging pages of the Book of Life.  What is the Secret to the workings of the Human Heart – intense emotions within a Timeless Story.  Another year – another Anniversary – only the hands of time provide the kerchief that wipes away my tears.  30NOV1963-30NOV2011--dht)

The Landscape is bare and the ground layered with leaves for the coming Winter's Slumber.

Spring's Secrets lay hidden beneath the blanket of fallen leaves – red, golden, and brown.

It is my pleasure – my joy – to share the wonders of the day with (you) my memories.

Winter's Garden comes alive in my Heart with the blossoming of a Lifetime of memories.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

Winter's Calling – Lost Love

                    [Photo Source: Google online images]

(29 NOV 2011 – Love's bloom died on the branch – never to easily recover from Loss, Pain, and Betrayal.  When does the Pain fade – dull its sharp focus.  The price is too high.  I simply cannot see beyond the gaping maw of my fate before me, though another may.  Some say despair is paramount when one is no longer able to sustain, even for the briefest moment, the notion that all will be well in the end.  Perhaps if they understood how many pieces my heart had broken into, they would then suffer me.  dht)

Slowly – piece-by-piece – is the process of withdrawal unto self, the Spirit withering just as leaves on the tree wither in Winter's calling.

The enfolding warmth of a bright sunny day – loving spouse and Family – fall by the wayside of a troubled Path.

Reality's illusions of Familial Love -- drop away as falling leaves absent the limbs of trees.

Whispers of Lost Love rustle in the breeze, as favorite memories of days gone by -- drop away as dead leaves from barren branches.

As Times passes through Nature's Seasons, the past becomes muted as if the Years belonged to someone else – apart – just as the leaves on the ground seem to have forgotten from whence they sprang.

All Hope of a change of Season – of Heart – with renewed sprouts forthcoming of a Litany of Longing and Affection – died as the fallen leaves from barren branches.

As the last rays of Winter's light withdraws from a frozen Landscape – a cold Heart – the Season falls into Morpheus's embrace with silent tears.

Love's Mystery withered and died – when it should have grown – pushed to the deepest corner of the Heart – where no light shines and only shadows of memories linger.

A new Spring follows the Winter's solstice for some -- for others the Change of Season cannot be weathered and can no longer "move on" with Life's Journey.

Life's Journey is a lesson of survival without Love, without sunshine, without warmth -- bereft of Hope, of Happiness, Youth, Dreams --

Forever Lost – Forever! 

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr - 2011]

RIP – Be Still

[Photo Source: Google online images]

(28 NOV 2011 – My weary Heart beats discordant with Time – for my Heart lies in the Past with my Memories.  Life goes on all around me as Nature takes its turn in Time with the changing of Life's seasons.  My steps are disharmonious with Nature's Time - My Heart is tired of the Loss.)  [dht-2011] 

BE STILL my weary Heart.

Listen to Nature's Heartbeat. –

In accord with the changes of Nature's Seasons.

Rest here in Nature's bosom –

In accord with the changes of My Seasons.

As one with Nature's Hourglass –

In accord with the changes of Life's Seasons.

Rest In Peace my weary Heart –

BE STILL.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]

                   [Photo Source: Google online images]

FROM HERE TO TOMORROW

[Photo Source: Google online images]

 

(22 NOV 2011 -  The Holidays and special remembered occasions bring their own weighted burden to one's Heart – a Birthday, a Wedding, an Anniversary, a Death, a Divorce, a Thanksgiving, a Christmas, a Valentine, a ...   At such Times, all of one's resources are needed, and lots of tissues, to pass through those potent memories so laden with Love and Pain. dht )

All too often, my thoughts turn backwards in Time – to where the memories assail.

Every time I come to a turn in the Pathways in my Life or a Time when the daily routine leaves my mind free to wander – my thoughts drift over the Past like a frequent visitor. 

I wonder anew where my Life's Journey would have taken me if I had made different choices.

Where is the Path to Peace and Happiness?  It surely cannot lie in Tomorrow, although it had its roots in Yesterday – that Path is overgrown now with the weeds of despair, pain, regrets, grief, and tears.

Surviving a prolonged state of depression causes one to shift their thinking and straddle emotional distress.

The weight of my past, my memories – is an overwhelming burden that buries my feelings in despair, pain, regrets, grief, and tears.

There is nothing like the holidays to bring back old memories of days gone by, lost loves, families estranged, loneliness, and the bittersweet memories of former Times – all past now leaving an emptiness in the Path.

The Last Chapter –
the last part of my Life's Journey.

HOW will it be written?  With despair, pain, regrets, grief, and tears, with an unending –
never-ending sameness –

From Here-To-Tomorrow?

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr - 2011]

FROM WHERE I STAND

                          [Photo Source:  My photos, my camera, my backyard 2011]

(19 Nov 2011 – A heartwarming Chapter in the Book of Life touches the very core of my being when I awake to the beginning of a new day.  One of my Loves and Passions is gardening in my yard, and seeing the flowers in their planter beds fills me with a sense of well being and accomplishment.  The view of my backyard through my living room window always soothes and calms.  Mornings are one of my favorite times in my yard, where the birds and bees are busy going through their morning rituals.  dht)

  

When I step outside for the first time each day, a sweet feeling of reverence and awe washes over me.

The sky so big, the clouds so high, the Moon and Sun sharing the role of caretakers to the Earth, upon which I stand.

The path I walk is worn smooth by time and passage of those generations that braved the path before me.

The Legacy of the generations to come is to add their footprints to the Path, and to add their story to the Book of Life.

The air is fresh and clean, the day new and full of promise, my Spirit soars with the Blessings around me -- From Where I Stand.

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr 2011]