DAY 142 - My Mom

Me, sister Tori, brother Kap & Mom

She died today
She waited patiently through years of dementia
But today she was ready

She was more than a good woman
She was my Mom
She loved me
And I loved her

She trusted me
knew that I could live on my own at 16

She did not track every step of my life
She was living a full and interesting life of her own

At 48 I studied Functional Medicine
while staying at her home on Fox Island
each night, late, smiling faced,
she awaited my return
eager to hear what I had learned
hungry for my excitement
a mother still

there is more
so much more
but it is best expressed
by the fact that I am not filled with sorrow
I am filled with gratitude
both for knowing
and for being born to my Mom
               ~

Kay Caldwell Kelly
Born 9/28/30 - Died 2/23/11

DAY 98 - Poetry of NVC

In August of 2003 I was introduced to Nonviolent Communication (NVC); a process for improving communication and relationships. It works for me.

 ~

consistently knowing safety in your presence
you live aware of your feelings
regularly you state, and act out your desire 

to do no harm
my sense of safety opens like a rose 

into joyful gratitude
could there be more? 

ky ~ November 6, 2006

DAY 53 – Easy Gratitude

The day after Thanksgiving is a good day to come clean about my easy gratitude.

A recent conversation that I participated in, spawned the statement, “Things are tough for everybody, but you can always find things to be grateful for!” I wanted to be agreeable ..., but I couldn’t respond in the affirmative.

While it is true that there are always things that one can be grateful for, things are not tough for everybody. I know, because not only are things not tough for me; I’ve got it good. There are many things I’m grateful for, but it’s an easy gratitude because I don’t have to look for a silver lining; the whole cloud is silver.

I like myself.

I have never had to worry about lacking for food, clothing or shelter.

I have family and friends with whom I share open and loving communication.

I am well. Not perfectly so, but each day I have the opportunity to improve it.

I find my work as a doctor of chiropractic, even after 28 years, so interesting and rewarding, that I have no desire to retire.

I feel a part of, and connected to all things.

The tough part of my life is the enormity of the suffering in the world, and the enormity of the risk that humanity faces. Each day brings the confusion and choices of  triaging my needs, my family’s needs, my friends’ needs, my community’s needs, my Country’s needs, humanity’s needs, the earth’s needs. There would probably be less confusion if I were a saint; but I’m not. I’m just a regular guy with a great life, and lots of easy gratitude.