Sunday, December 4, 2022

My Journey's


 

A carefree drive
destination unknown
white lines flicker by

Clouds sprinkle horizon
leaves golden brown
sunlight sparkles 

Car tires hum
music explodes in ears
body moves in sync

Sunroof open
wind lifts tendrils
blows across eyes

An adventure waits
anticipation tickles
smile creases lips

Intention lies in
 no certain place 
 only journey of heart.



Teresa Gale
12/4/22



















Saturday, May 2, 2020



In in the midst of 2020 Coronavirus, life goes on. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and the sound of lawnmowers hum in the background. We, through God are resilient. 

Looking out my back window, I see the buds of May on my low hanging branches, the wind chimes are tinkling in a chorus with the breeze. This makes me smile, it is God reminding me He still controls this world and he is with me. 

It’s been a few years since I posted here last. My writing was pushed aside. Till today that is, as I found God nudging me back. To use this thing, this wicked virus to come back to life, to write, to sing my words if only, yes, if only for me and Him. 

As I look back over the years, many though they are, He reminds me, He has always had His hand on me. He has brought me through many storms in my life, horrible storms. I have weathered them all and I will again. As long as I keep Him in sight. 

Blessings,

Teresa Gale
2020

Friday, November 24, 2017

Sixty and Whose Counting?


Age, it’s really just a number, right? I have never really looked my age, when I was a mere 13 years old, people thought I was in my twenties. Now that I am sixty, people tell me I look younger. I was, however, born an old soul. I have lived many, many lives. I am not talking the mystic reincarnation, but in my own lifetime.

One of my most favorite poems, written by the great, Stanley Kunitz, is titled “The Layers”. The poem resonates in my soul. I feel, as Kunitz, wrote, “ I have walked through many lives, “ . My journey has not always been easy, if it were, I would not be whom I am today. So, I breathe deep, take in the lessons I have gathered in me and strive to move forward. Moving forward requires my aging, getting older. Why fight it when so many I have loved never made it this far.

I tell myself, the number does not bother me, and it truly does not. What does bother me is the fact I have left many things undone. So here I sit at the grand age of sixty contemplating what I can do about it. The past is done, I cannot go back, nor would I want. I can only strive to do the things that really matter and treasure this age.

Today is the day, a new day left wide open. I shall walk into it not in fear, but in praise of the One who has given me this most precious gift. I can only imagine what lies ahead, and I am ready.

Teresa Gale
2017



Sunday, February 26, 2017

My Year of 59


Age is not anything to run away from, it's a celebration of life and love. So my year of 59, began as an awareness of leaving parts of the past behind and taking a journey to trying, doing, and experiencing not only new things, but life itself.

In recent years I have faced some debilitating heath issues that both frustrated me and whirled me into a depression of sorts. I am not a " oh feel sorry for me" person, but I did find myself in, "woe is me" mode for a time. I was shaken out of this dismal state shortly after watching my father succumb to his own health issues. He was chair bound for a few years and grew weaker and weaker by day. It hurt my heart to see this once strong, vital, full of life man become a victim of his illness.

Not long after his death I woke up from my own foggy sleep and began to lift myself into action. I decided I could stay still and allow this to beat me or I could live the life God blessed me with one day at a time. I began to move, slowly at first and painfully back into my life.

The year of 59, is the start of new discovery, letting go of what I no longer can do and embrace what I can do. I am not placing limitations on my self, I am living each day with purpose. I am embracing this older self and making peace with my crinkled neck, crows feet and gray hair, well maybe not the gray hair just yet.There are some days I have to make a concerted effort to push past the pain and go forward.

I lost a dear friend last year who had been trapped unwillingly with ALS. Her spirit and love of God so inspired me. She is a remarkable woman who has forever touched my heart and soul. I miss her dearly and keep her often wise words close to my heart daily. I will not allow my faith be shaken. I believe, as she did, God has a purpose and plan for each of us.

So here I go on my new journey. I will live each day with determination, faith in God, and with the grace my friend Beth instilled in me.

Teresa Gale
2/26/17



Monday, February 22, 2016

Outside My Window



Blue skies peek through bare-limbed trees,
A gentle breeze furls the tall tree in dance.
The veins of tree limbs stretch heavenward
A celebration of Praise.

A nod of branch comes my way by greeting of
This new day.
Oh! To be like the tree...unafraid
Of their nakedness.

Arms stretch in frozen dance of joy,
Lines etch the years upon its face.
Yet beauty in age is present in time worn trunk.

Constantly limbs outstretched in prayer and praise.
Witness of seasons, each full of beauty.
Patience in waiting for what comes next.

Oh! To be like the tree,
Fearless and strong enough to bend.


Teresa Gale
2/22/16

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Forever Friends





Friendship, true friendship is rare in this world. I have had many, many friends, some that I had imagined would last me a life time. Out of all the friends I have had in my life, only a select few have remained.      

My two oldest friends I met back in the dark ages of high school when I was a mere twelve years old are my most cherished antiques, (I mean that with love girls). We have gone through much together and apart, but have stuck like glue. When I think back to our early years, I smile at the memories. We knew nothing back in the day, but we sure thought we did.

It took me several years to realize that these two were destined to be life-long friends. My life had been full of losses so this came as a wonderful surprise to me. We have each had our share of grief, of miss-understandings, of good times and of bad. We shared date nights together, marriage, break-ups, more marriages and babies. We weathered the divorces, the deaths, the births and life’s challenges beside each other, even when we lived in three different states.

Through our friendship, we often lose touch, rarely call, hardly write, but always our hearts meet. We have vowed now in our ancient years to get together yearly, however, life has a habit of getting in our way. Yet we still manage, between the distances, the silences and infrequent visits to meet here and there. When we do, the miles, years and silences are erased. We pick right up where we left off, a little older, a little grayer, (those of us who dye our hair will never reveal how gray we have become) and much wiser. At least we like to think we have grown wiser.

I have marveled over these two ladies and how blessed I am to have them in my life. They are sisters of my heart and treasured. We joke often we will retire together on a beach front nursing home with reserved rocking chairs. I know we will cause a stir in that old folks’ home.

We are each so different, yet a like. I always saw us as the loud one, the quiet one and the one who is a little of both. I am sure you gals can figure out who is who. *wink*. We are passionate about our lives, our friendships and our belief in God. We have skated through life and known if one of us called, we would be there to catch the other when they fell.

Back in the day of long distance phone calls, one of these ladies spent hours and hours checking on me when I was going through a rather horrible time in my life. Her phone bill must have been more than my house payment. She showed up again years later after I lost a loved one and had bought a house. She came with paint brush in hand and warm arms for me to cry on. She has showed up, time and time again. I will never forget that my friend.

Nor will I forget those days of young motherhood when my other dear friend and I would daily chat about the challenges of raising our kids, the long sleepless nights, burnt dinners and endless trips to doctors. We shared our nursing and birth stories like soldiers off in battle and gave advice freely if not always solicited. We visited together with toddlers in tow any chance we could get and had children close in ages. I will always remember those days fondly and miss them dearly.

I have two other dear friends I have collected in recent years who have warmed my heart, inspired me to grow in my beliefs and my writings. They are my treasures of every day talks and walks through life.

Friendship is not for the weak of heart; you have to show up to be a true friend. You have to have a listening ear, a quiet mouth, a soft touch and years of knowledge on subjects you have never experienced. Friends pray for each other. True friends are also there to call you on the carpet when need be and one of us might even throw a hamburger at your car window and walk the steam for a few miles later laughing. (Inside joke for one of you) We have survived these little tiffs together and separate which made our bond stronger.

I am so very blessed, so very thankful for the ladies in my life and marvel they can even put up with my moods. Thank you ladies, for the time of my life and I pray for many, many more years together. I love you more.

Teresa Gale


Thursday, September 10, 2015

Fall Melody



Fall Melody

A canopy of leaves
unfurl like smoke,
as the wind tosses.
Limbs reach out,
loving hands
brushing cheeks.

Looking skyward
towards the aging limbs;
twisted and gnarled
akin to arthritic fingers
beckoning to follow.

In the winter
of it’s age,
whispers can be
heard in the rustle
of brittle leaves.

“Be still”
the whisper calls.
Heart listens,
then obeys.

Teresa Gale
C 2004