Monday, November 28, 2011

Thanks

Dinner on the barge in Southern France

Thanks     
by W. S. Merwin

Listen
with the night falling we are saying thank you
we are stopping on the bridges to bow from the railings
we are running out of the glass rooms
with our mouths full of food to look at the sky
and say thank you
we are standing by the water thanking it
smiling by the windows looking out
in our directions

back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging
after funerals we are saying thank you
after the news of the dead
whether or not we knew them we are saying thank you

over telephones we are saying thank you
in doorways and in the backs of cars and in elevators
remembering wars and the police at the door
and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you
in the banks we are saying thank you
in the faces of the officials and the rich
and of all who will never change
we go on saying thank you thank you

with the animals dying around us
our lost feelings we are saying thank you
with the forests falling faster than the minutes
of our lives we are saying thank you
with the words going out like cells of a brain
with the cities growing over us
we are saying thank you faster and faster
with nobody listening we are saying thank you
we are saying thank you and waving
dark though it is

Thanks to our friend, Pat Eldred, for sending the poem. We have returned to Mayo and Jud is going through a series of tests for final qualification for the clinical trial.

We are so grateful this season for all that our wonderful friends have done for us. I am especially grateful for my blog friends...my connection to love and comfort when I am alone, when I awake in the night, when I am not feeling well.

I am "saying thank you and waving" to all of you.

Thank you.

27 comments:

  1. I have not been here to read your posts since early October and I feel bad about that. For some reason they were not showing up on the feed and I thought you hadn't been writing. I am caught up now and loved your pictures from Barcelona..especially the churches and cathedrals, beautiful! I am glad that you and Jud are doing as much as you can to create lasting memories...you will have much to reminisce about for a long time. I'm glad you've updated about Jud abd his treatment. Such a shame that there are uncaring medical personnel around. Has Jud ever been to a Cancer Caring Center? I know nothing about them except what I see in their ads...just wondering. Please know that whether or not you hear from me or I am posting (very bad about that lately...too much going on in our lives right now) you are in my daily prayers. I will come and check on you in a more regular fashion and not wait for the feed!!
    xoxo
    Joyce

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  2. Hi dear,
    the poem sends many thoughts throug my head!
    I dearly hope for you and Jud, that they can help him at the Mayo, and that the tests will qualify him to treatment.
    sending prayers and hugs.
    x Dorthe

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  3. Bless you and Jud and may you have peaceful and joyful holidays.

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  4. Hugs and Thanks to you too Suz! Love you!

    Shell

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  5. Dear Suz...what a sweet and very heartfelt poem full of thanks...I loved it.

    You know what I'm thankful for? You. You have shown all of us what it is to have gracefulness under pressure. To have faith in the darkest of times. You are a beautiful inspiration, dear friend...thank YOU.

    Sending so much love your way tonight...and always.

    Julie

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  6. Suz,

    What a wonderful poem of thanks. You are such a blessing to your family and friends. I am so thankful to have sat across the table at Silver Bella a few years ago. You have blessed me so much.

    Continued prayers for you and Jud.

    Hugs,
    Sheila

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  7. and I am waving back saying hang in there!! God is good no matter what.
    (((hugs!)))
    xo
    vivian

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  8. Wow, Suz, what a powerful poem. Thank you for sharing it. I'm so happy to hear from you through your blog, I have been thinking about you quite a bit.
    I'm praying you and Jud are sharing smiles, even at the Mayo, and able to spend quiet, nice moments together.
    much love
    lynn

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  9. I understand this poem...it reminds me of a favorite Bible verse I Thessalonians 5:13, about giving thanks in all things. I am trying to live life this way...when things are so unsettled in our lives and in our world, God is constant. I am praying for you and Jud for strength, peace, and healing...XO

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  10. Dear Suz,
    what a wonderful poem.TFS. Sending hugs and prayers to you and Jud hoping all goes well and he will qualify for the treatment.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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  11. Hi Suz,
    Thinking of you and your family. Hugs!

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  12. Hearts full of gratitude shine through so radiantly, so warm and true...Some words that came to mind after reading the poem and seeing your photo.

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  13. waving back to you precious girl with one hand on my heart...a heart that you manage to fill up so sweetly

    not finding my words this morning

    just Thank YOU!!!

    oxoxo

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  14. Hi Suz;
    Beautiful poem. It is always good to be thankful in everything.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Hugs and many blessings to you.
    Kelly

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  15. Thank you for being such a graet blogging friend Suz!
    Hugs!Sandy

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  16. What a touching poem! Thank You for sharing with all of your blogging friends.
    Hope this finds you two having one of those wonderful days!

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  17. Waving hi and saying thanks right back to you. Love the poem. You and Jud look so cute in this photo! Love to you both!
    xo
    jeanne

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  18. SUZ...First of all, I see you are in St. Paul??? I AM IN NE MINNEAPOLIS and I work in Edina!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR VISITING ME AND your page here is just sweet and kind, gentle and full of LOVE! I see you are a former psychologist...making jewelry now? EXCELLENT!!! I am in for a career change myself....please come by again! Anita

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  19. Hi Suz,

    I am glad that your husband will be part of that new test. We live in a wonderful country. I am sorry that you are not feeling well. You are probably run down from all the stress and vulnerable to the flu, especially since you have been around so many people at the hospital. I will say a prayer for you and your husband. You two look so lovely in that photo. I'll ask God to wrap His arms around you both.

    Karen

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  20. I love that poem. It always makes me cry.

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  21. Beautiful grateful poetic sentiment. Prayers for each of you. Hugs...

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  22. Beautiful poem, sending you both much love and strength. Mx

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  23. Oh dearest Suz,

    YES, I see that you were in my beloved France...and your husband, I so hope that he is making each day through his treatments, but with you at his side and love in your home, his journey and really, ALL OF OURS, can only be enriched with the eternal power of love. SO GOOD TO KNOW YOU ARE SO CLOSE!!!!!!! WE MUST MEET!!!!! I must run to work (I teach fourth grade at Normandale French Immersion school in Edina!)

    BACK LATER Anita

    I have a cousin named Anita too! To distinguish us, she was always called COOKIE!

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  24. Your love for Jud really shines through your posts!
    The poem brings tears to my eyes. I am so sorry you are going through this, and wishing Jud the very best care and the kindest people to help him heal.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  25. And I am waving back and think about you in my quiet (and even my not so quiet) moments, and being grateful to know you.
    Sending prayers up for the two of you dear Suz!
    warm hugs...

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  26. Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog! I just found yours and I will be praying for you and Jud.
    Big Hugs,
    Michelle

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