This image is a lovely rose quartz necklace with a silver locket superimposed on a valentine message from my dear late Aunt Dorothy. On this Valentine weekend (2016), I have reason to share one of an exceptional and life-changing valentine moment of my past.....a moment when Aunt Dorothy gave me a precious gift of self-authored poems with heart-filled messages. This gift was presented to me after my sustaining an acquired brain injury....a dark time when I did not even know myself.
Time was my greatest demon...I would got to bed each evening with the idea that the limitations the injury imposed would be gone and I could return to business as usual......such was not the case as days became weeks and weeks became months ... time did not heal, it just made my limitations more familiar.
In essence it took years to begin a new life since my past, as I knew it, was not retrievable. There were only a few elements of that did stay strong and unshaken.....one being the inspirational spirit of my twin. Aunt Dorothy was aware of this and included this lovely silver locket with her valentine book of poems and to this day, the locket is worn with a photo of myself and Melodie (my twin) close to my heart. Aunt Dorothy's book remains at my beside and frequently returned to for comfort.
This particular poem (as above) reads:
"Tomorrow? Not yet.
Let today be your day ... your gift.
Time is precious - use it well.
Make every day a special day.
Think about our gift of life.
Today is our day ... your gift.
Hold this closely in your thoughts.
I will share my memories,
my impressions,
my love of nature
all woven together in a tapestry of love for you - Melanie"
Another poem that I find great strength in is as follows:
"My wish for you is that this small book will bring you happiness
This is my world....
My every day.
The people I love,
The wonder of nature,
My dreams.
Share it with me?"
Oh how I wish Aunt Dorothy knew how much I have coveted her poems and have grown with her widsom, grace, motivation and beauty in her exceptional and spiritual descriptions of nature's gifts !
This third poem (following) is always a delight to read as it rings so, so true to those family members whose love I have shared with Aunt Dorothy:
"My mother's love of everything in her world,
My Mother's love of nature
every day,
every season,
I believe she bequeathed this love to many of her family......a rich endowment."
Love you, Aunt Dorothy --- forever, Melanie
