Here is another poem from my Blog, it is one of my favourites.  I had made it into a tag and I'd like to share it with you here. The picture of the birds is one I had taken myself.

If you'd like to read more of my poems visit this page... 
http://doreenscreativespace.blogspot.com/search/label/poetry

Here I am back on my blog after a very long silence. My pc was not working and I did not feel comfortable working on my ipad or my family's PC's. Anyway I have to say I am very happy to have my computer working and very happy to be on my blog again. I was re-reading some of my poems and found this from one of the pages and thought it would be nice to share it again especially now that we are back to fall and back to rainy days.

Raindrops are falling, 

My senses renew, 

The scent of the first rain I loved as I grew. 

Leaves are greener, 

Earth's refreshed, 

Your spirit Lord fills our soul 

And we are blessed! 

Doreen Scerri © 

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Picture is from shared files

January Memories

January holds many memories and last year one more was added since the passing of my dear Mother. So today being the first anniversary of her demise, I would like to add this post and poem in her memory.

We remember your smile,
Love's glow on your face,
Your guiding words,
Your sweet embrace.
You left us precious memories
And, although we are apart,
We feel you close beside us
For you live on in our heart.
~Doreen~

Sweet Mama', we love you and miss you!
We know you still guide us from your heavenly home.

~o~o~o~o~o~

SUE'S WEEKEND SHADOW BLOG LINK PARTY

Welcome friends from far and near!

Sorry this is a little late in posting but I had problems with trying to post this by scheduling the time on the post...it did not work for me! Anyway here I am posting it direct...

This week I accepted my sister Sue's invitation to participate in her

Weekend Shadow Blog Link Party.

I chose a picture from my files which I had taken a few years ago at San Anton Gardens, my favourite place to stroll about or read a book in or just to take in the serenity of this wonderful place which also forms part of the Presidential Gardens in Attard.

The Shadow of the Trees

I enjoy the shadow of the trees
It fills me with awe-inspiring peace
I take in the moment,
Let it encompass my soul,
Till it becomes a part of me...
God's wonders make me whole.

D. Scerri © 2011

I could not resist writing a poem

to go with the picture I chose.

Thanks Sue for this opportunity to take part in
your Weekend Shadow Link Party : )
You are an inspiration!

Doreen's Whimsical Words ~ My new blog

I have started a new blog
Doreen's Whimsical Words


This is where I will be posting my poetry

and poetry tags as well as

my whimsical writings.

I hope you will visit sometimes.

If I had Wings ~ A Tag

THANKS CATHY

for your welcome suggestion

to make my poem and photo into a tile/tag...

I hope you like it : )

If I had Wings ~ A Poem

~If I had Wings~

If I had wings

If I could fly

I'd spread my wings

I'd span the sky

If I had wings

I'd feel so free

My friend won't you

Come fly with me

The wind will lift us higher

Far above the clouds

If I had wings I'd fly with you

Far from all the crowds!

Doreen Scerri © 2009

I took the above picture only a few days ago when I was taking pictures of clouds. Have you ever tried to take photos of birds in flight? Gosh it is ever so difficult to get them all in one perfect frame. It was getting kind of dark then, but this is the best one I got and I am quite happy with it. I think capturing birds in flight will be my next challenge : ) Have you ever thought about how fast birds fly? The photo inspired me to write the poem. Poetry takes me into worlds and places I may never get to, it frees my spirit and my mind travels anywhere it fancies, anywhere it longs to go and through my verses I can travel beyond the horizon and back again.

Thank you Lord for the wind beneath my wings

every time You inspire me

with Your wonderful creation.

On theThreshold between Summer and Fall

On this side of the world we are just about crossing
the threshold between summer and fall.

I love the above picture...it is of clouds rising from the north

with the fiery red setting sun in the west reflected in them.
They are as beautiful as ocean waves yet they have a beauty of their own.

I love looking up at the sky, the clouds are just awesome.

Take time to look up once in a while ~ the view can be very uplifting! We have been gifted with so many God-given wonders, but sometimes we take them for granted. You don't have to pay to watch the skies, the ocean, the birds, the flowers, the fields ~ enjoy them and give thanks!

At the start of the past season and after the long winter months, most of us were yearning for summer, sunshine and beaches, siestas and all that summer would bring along with it.

So it may not be everyone's cup of tea to be thinking of going back to school, schedules and timetables. But certainly fall, or autumn as most of us like to call this season, is here once more. Isn't it just wonderful that we can see it happening with the dimness of autumn's continual lessening light and although we feel it in the decreasing energy our bodies go through to adjust to this quiet season, there is a certain calmness there with each and every one of us, if only we stop long enough to experience and appreciate it.

As you can tell, I am definitely in the mood for fall, looking forward to the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen especially soups and casseroles and baking (surely not summer food at least not for me), anticipating the expectations of getting ready for Thanksgiving and the fun part of Halloween and if I may say so, yes even the thrill of getting ready for Christmas!

Clouds are wondrous in the sky

Catching colours from earth's surface,

Fewer hours light our day

Making home a cozier place.

Our nights are much cooler
We dream soundly in our sleep,
Changing winds forever blowing
A crisp rust carpet for us to sweep.
Pumpkins, scarecrows, autumn leaves
Blend to help us remember
As we cherish sweet memories of seasons past
And enjoy these bountiful days of September.
I long for walks along the countryside
Wait for inspiration along the bay,
I love the scent of the first rainfall
Fall is here to stay.
Doreen Scerri © 2009

Birthday Blessings

A Birthday is a special day,

an occasion for celebrating life,

for cherishing the past and reflecting on the present,

for thinking of the future and feeling happy in continuing my journey.

And most of all it is a time for thanking God for the gift of life

and for all that He has done in my life,

for all the miracles, big or small,

for every person He has put in my path ~

It is a time to think of what is really important in my life, what really matters.

It is a time to tell my loved ones how much I love them and appreciate them.
This day has come and soon is gone as all birthdays do

And just like a changing season my life goes on, as I pray

'Teach us to number our days aright

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'
Psalm 90.12

The memories stay and these I will treasure with all my heart.

D. Scerri ©

I haven't been able to be on here for a while for several reasons but here I am at last. In a way this is a belated Birthday posting, so a belated Happy Birthday to me if I may say so : )

I wish here to thank all my family, extended family, friends, on-line 'crafty' friends whom I have never met for all the good wishes, phonecalls, cards, egreetings, emails and gifts sent, you are all truly so very precious.

I thank my son's dear girlfriend who so generously drove us to the east coast for a stroll along the promenade since we are having problems with our car ~ we really enjoyed the cake treats at one of the cafetterias there. Also thanks Mum for treating us all out for lunch last Sunday!

One of the reasons I have not been able to be here very often is the fact that, as some of you already know, my computer unfortunately stopped working (eh yes, when it rains it pours). The service people said it was the motherboard and graphic card which, besides knowing it would be an expense, I was at a loss as to what I should do but decided to wait and while and see if maybe the parts would go on sale...I was definitely not going to buy a new one. In the meantime my dear son let me share his PC for which I am so thankful.

To cut a long story short, I was totally thrilled when on my birthday my family, that is my dear husband, daughter, son and his girlfriend surprised me with ALL NEW PARTS! So as soon as we find time to save what I need from my old hard drive, my son will be installing all new programs, etc. for me but I will not rush him as he is finishing his college assignments and those definitely come first. Thank you all so much <3

So watch out eveyone, I will be back on track soon!

A Birthday Blessing
Nothing is more sacred than someone's life, and no words more precious

than words that celebrate someone's life. And so...

read more here

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/birthday.html

Mother's Day Dedication

~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY BLESSINGS ~

May the Blessed Mother come into your life today

with a special blessing for you.

May you always be grateful for the Blessed Mother.

Without her we would not have Jesus. Our Saviour.

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We were all born to love and care and women were born to be Mothers in an especially loving and caring way. In one way or another we are all Mothers ~ I dedicate this posting to all who are in any way mothers, those that are birth mothers, those who are adoptive or foster mothers, those who as a mother care for the upbringing of little ones especially aunts, grandmas, sisters, carers, teachers, religious persons, even dads who have taken on the role of Mum too. Especially I would like to dedicate this to my own Mum who is very special to me, I ask God to bless her and all the mothers of our family and all mothers out there who are reading this. I must not forget those who are taking care of Mothers (or parents) who can no longer take care of themselves...they are doing such a noble job. One last but very important dedication is to those who were nearly mothers but have lost their child in some way.

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M-O-T-H-E-R

M is for the million things she gave me,

O means only that she's growing old,

T is for the tears she shed to save me,

H is for her heart of purest gold;

E is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

R means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER",

A word that means the world to me.
~Howard Johnson (c. 1915)~

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Have you ever known someone

from before their birth,

Loved that person unconditionally

and known how much they're worth?

Have you ever held your child

close to your heart

And prayed that nothing would,

ever could, make you stay apart?

Have you ever sung them lullabies

Told them stories that were dear,

Dried their tears after a fall,

and taken away their fear?

And have you ever shared moments

to smell the pretty flowers

And admire the sky above

Or played in rain showers?

Have you found time to wonder with them

About the birds and the bees,

Looked at cloud formations,

Talked on how to preserve trees?

Have you ever seen their wonder

reflected in you...

And seen yourself time and again,

in them, through and through?

If you have ever shared these memories

One on one with the other,

Then deep within your heart you know

That you are A MOTHER!

Doreen Scerri © 2009

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Here is a lovely prayer/presentation I have come across and would like to share...

http://www.andiesisle.com/mothersdayprayer.html

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In this dedication, I must not forget my friends and all those who lovingly take care of their pets and all God's creatures in a warm motherly way.

You all know who you are!

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Here is a great site for Kids for Mother's day...
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/mothersday.html

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Mother’s Day Prayer

God our Creator, we pray:

for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;

for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;

for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;

for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;

for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;

for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;

for those who have children they do not want;

for those who raise children on their own;

for those who have lost a child;

for those who care for the children of others;

for those whose children have left home;

and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,

and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,

living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.

Amen.

Prayer taken from

http://www.stjosephclayton.org/

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Last but not least let us remember Mothers who have gone before us on faith...
may God grant them peace and everlasting joy in being with their Creator through eternity ~ their reward for their work and life here on earth.

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World Book Day

World Book Day is an international event which is celebrated on different dates throughout the world. In many countries it is celebrated on April 23rd, but in the UK and Ireland this year it was marked on March 6th. It does sound a little confusing seeing as it should be one day for all, being a 'world' book day. I have read it has something to do with school traditions, terms, the particular country.... However, so long as it is celebrated that is what matters. So today with the rest of those who are celebrating in Malta and other countries, HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Incidentally this day is also known as World Book and Copyright Day,

read more about it here...

http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=5125&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

April is also National Poetry Month ~ Here is an inspiring site

for those interested...

http://teacher.scholastic.com/poetry/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now I am off to go put my nose in that book I started a while ago as I have another one waiting to be read.




Flying with books is an experience out of this world...when I read I fly because it releases my mind from worries or petty things that otherwise would grip my mind and enslave me...fly with me, pick up a good book and be lost in its beauty, you will be transported to another world.

HAPPY READING!

images from shared graphics in my files

Hosanna

Image is from my files

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday. Today we commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem while people laid down palms and clothing in front of his path. Their cry of Hosanna was an exclamation of praise, originally it was an appeal for deliverance.

On Palm Sunday palms and olive branches are blessed before Mass and distributed to the congregation at the end of today's celebration to take home to place in a prominant places to keep throughout the year.

The passion of Our Lord is recounted during today's Mass and this helps us as we prepare for Holy Week.

In some countries it is customary to make crosses with palms, here is a link on how they are made...

http://www.thesacredheart.com/plmcross.htm

The picture above shows the olive branch that we brought home today after church...I like to leave it in a vase until it starts to dry out and then I take small branches from it to place in different rooms.

A quietness awoke me

I was serene and so happy today

With the crowd I will shout Hosanna

As I lay palms across your way.

Your triumphant entry Lord

into my lonely heart

uplifts me and gives me hope

May we never be apart.

But I am frail and will deny you

Not once but many a time,

Like Peter did though he loved you so ~

I'm moved with your sweet love sublime.

I will shout Hosanna

Praise and honour be yours today

Please save me oh sweet Jesus

Do not let me go astray!

Doreen Scerri © 2009

Image is from my files

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

(A picture from my files)

It was a busy day for me as well as a quiet day... I wanted to write a posting about today's feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and was thinking of what I could possibly write for this to be effective as a meditation or an outreach. I could write about how Our Lady suffered or about the suffering and pain that goes on in our world but then most of us already know about all this. Suffering can be such a personal thing, some people speak of their suffering constantly while others suffer in silence.
As I was debating whether or not to continue writing this post, I received an email from a very good friend of mine who I know has fairly recently suffered both physically as well as emotionally and I would like to dedicate this posting to her...you know who you are!

Her email says,
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.'
When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.
Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

I think it came just on time for me to use it as a reflection on this feast.

These are three very powerful sentences...in the first I think that it is how we act that matters, it is a call for action and how we go about it. I ask myself in what areas do I need to change if I want something different but this change needs to be done with a leap of Faith and Trust knowing that if I left it up to Him, He will show me the way but I need to be awake and aware at all times and be ready to accept, act or wait even if it means I have to suffer. It could be a change, an opportunity, a challenge.
In the second sentence we may feel that when things go wrong we are being punished, that we do not deserve this and many times we ask ourselves, 'Why me?' If we lose a job or a loved one, when our plans are changed, when it seems as if everything is going wrong, very often while thinking we know what is good for us or that our situation won't change, God may have other plans. What may feel as unfair may indeed be a blessing in disguise.
The last sentence I think is the most important and if we concentrate on it, it gives us strength.
God loves us so much, He will always help us, He gives us the strength to bear our troubles...my favourite quote is from Matthew 6:26, it has given me strength on many occasions...
Look at the birds in the sky. They don't plant or harvest or gather food into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. You are more valuable than they are, aren't you?
Whenever we find ourselves in difficult situations, when we feel lonely, when we seem to be at a dead end, that is when God lifts us up. That is when He is carrying us. We may not know when or how or even why but He always does.
For anyone suffering in any way, this posting may not be the answer but reading the three sentences and concentrating on how they connect with Action, Acceptance and Trust, I hope it will be uplifting.
Seeing how Our Lady suffered along with Jesus when she was there (action), how she accepted and trusted, we realise that when we suffer we gain, just as Jesus obtained eternal salvation for us when He suffered and died and then rose again. Indeed when God takes something from our grasp He is not punishing us but opening our hands to receive something better. Our suffering be it physical, spiritual or in any other way, is in preparation of a gift beyond our expections, beyond our dreams. I hope this thought is uplifting. I close with some thoughts in a poem/prayer.

To You Oh Mother

I turn my eyes

I feel your pain

In your lap He lies...

Mother most merciful

So full of love,

My pain I offer

To you above.

Bless us and as you

Take our grief,

Please give us hope

and sweet relief.

Sweet Mother Most beautiful,

Our Lady most kind,

Thank you for the comfort

That in you we find.

D. Scerri ©

Verses come like raindrops...

We had been experiencing some warmer days with the onset of spring, days with not much rain and the earth had already started to feel the difference. It was the weekend of our retreat...suddenly a most welcome rainshower refreshed us all...that's what drew me to the back porch where I sat down and wrote...

Raindrops are falling,
My senses renew,
The scent of the first rain
I loved as I grew.
Leaves are greener,
Earth's refreshed,
Your spirit Lord fills our soul
And we are blessed!
Doreen Scerri ©

* * * * *

All clouds are one in the sky above
A blend of subtle grey
Like your blessings, Lord,
so many they are
To gently fill my day.

The warmth of the sun now adds a haze
And grey changes to blue,
My heart feels blessed
with your endless love
My hope, my Lord, is in You!

My day, my space, all I've done and said

To You in thanks I give.

May I, in everything and everywhere,
Praise You for as long as I live.
Doreen Scerri ©

* * * * *

Hopes and wishes,

Thoughts and dreams,

You give me to flavour my life.

In everything

and so it seems

I'm blessed with all my strife:

For no rose is without a thorn

And obstacles need to be overcome ~

I blend my will to yours Lord, today,

May Your will be always done!

Doreen Scerri ©

* * * * *

And the wind blew, it blew so hard...

it almost blew my laundry away!

There were a few days last week when we had very strong winds. It is when you can't leave doors or windows open. It is when you really have to watch your hat if you are out in the street or that you don't get hit by the waving clothes, especially when they are still wet ~ OUCH!

I could not resist the temptation to run downstairs, grab my camera and get a few shots to share with you...

The clouds were also amazing...I love that blue sky!

I have just finished writing this poem inspired by this posting and the pictures...

Such force the wind has

in its versatility...

in its agility,

hostility,

ulitilty

as it moves the clouds,

dances with leaves,

caresses flowers...

From a gentle breeze to

a gale force wind,

first it softly touches,

then moves, displaces,

bends or breaks

anything in its path.

It grips in its clutches,

roughly pushes,

mysteriously carries,

wonderfully creates,

mercilessly destroys.....

Yet on and on it blows...

I hear your song,

I feel your touch,

I see your beauty...

A singing wind,

a refreshing wind,

Just doing your duty!

I ask...

Where do you come from?

Where do you go?

And you just

b l o w !

Doreen Scerri ©

~ Thank you Lord for the wind that dried my laundry today! ~

Time to Declutter

Will you come with me on a clean up spree?

Sort things out and set yourself free,

Know which things you love or need to stay,

The rest decide to throw or give away...

Take a few minutes, set your timer on Go,

Work on one area steady and slow

Soon you'll be able to smile and see

That change really begins with ME!

Doreen Scerri © 2009

I had been putting this job off for ages, knowing it would probably take me hours to do, then I decided to do it in stages. I am not a person who likes to spend hours doing a tedious job so arming myself with a timer, a duster, a box for giving away and a bin liner bag I set myself to tidying up the top shelf of my bookcase.

In order not to take up more time than I allowed myself on the timer, I sorted quickly through the loose papers and put them in a file folder to go through the next time I will be filing important papers.
I found some things that I could use in my crafts, hmm should I keep these or not? W-e-l-l, OK I will allow myself to keep these apart to put with my crafting supplies. Odds and ends that were just sitting there and which I had no use for were thrown away.

There were a couple of toys which I liked and which I decided to keep as decorative items on my shelves. Maybe these will go in the give away box the next time!!!
Having finished this top shelf in such a reasonable time and seeing the result I had achieved motivated me to do the rest. I tackled the remaining shelves one at a time within the next couple of days. Looking at the tidy unit made me feel so good and gave me a sense of peacefulness.

FROM ALL THIS

TO

T H I S

A N D

T H I S

Now I'm ready for the next job.....