GOING HOME: A JOYFUL TRANSITION

Returning to hometown Buffalo to pack

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

-- 1 Corinthians 2:9

Leaving Atlanta for Florida

April 2012 has been a rewarding month both literally and spiritually. As I glimpsed at my facebook timeline I was able to visually chronicle some highlights, but knew that that which I virtually shared was only the tip of the iceberg. There had been some amazing aha moments and I praise God for the abundance of blessings that I was able to witness and receive with our loved ones. You may wonder what does that really mean? Well, I’ll share that further in detail, just know that in my spirit I am saying, "Look what the Lord has done." The happening included an all too quick visit with several wonderful friends, treasured time spent with my Aunt Shirley and cousin, Zebbie in Buffalo; traveling on the road back to Georgia with Eric and then spending extended time with my Mother and Granny resulted from a simple phone call from my brother Eric who asked, "Lin what are you doing this weekend?" He'd just received the news that we had the upcoming weekend to pack up St. Mary's Place because the closing and sale of our home would occur on the upcoming Monday. Time was of the essence.

That weekend I hopped a plane from Central Florida back to our beloved hometown Buffalo, New York to bring closure to the sale of our home, my mother’s property and our child’s home place. This moment was much more than just transferring keys and packing some boxes- it was home and a floodgate of life lessons,memories that continue to shape us. But I had to remain focus, Eric insisted.  We were on a mission to pack and purge, so we told ourselves. This mission included and insured that the new tenants would be benefactors of  Mom’s home furnishings and appliances.God's outstretched hands and blessings were at it again. We were instructed to not overlook returning with our Mother's books, family keepsakes and retrieving important paperwork because the time had finally come to sell. The items we decided to leave the new owners offered to send to her country abroad. "Others can use them." Her statement was was an instant relief!

Basement-packing and purging!

Having an awesome visit with Aunt Shirley and Zebby!

My heart wasn't so heavy then. As I began to sift through articles of clothing and rediscover with Eric mountains of papers, elementary school report cards (Mom's included), scrap books, toys, loved one's obituaries, funeral bulletins, greeting cards, significant artifacts and wonderful family photos I began reminiscing about so many things and  immediately knew the most import treasures were our relationships we built and the significance of these heart conncections. It then wasn't such an emotional tussle to part with things, discard and/or share them. But the real jewel was never having to give up family, friends-our wonderful loved ones, no matter the distance and time lasp between us!

Beloved Friends...

They are fondly held in my heart. I'll not forget to anticipate the sweet reunions that we can look forward to. And knowing us we'll laugh and giggle out loud as we acknowledge the sustaining love and comfort of God that continually anchors us! It will be a thanksgiving- a celebratory moment to marvel at the victories won that got us from this time to that.

So now here I am friends back in Florida sitting at my kitchen table, writing, smiling, reflecting-assured and prayerful that Mama (and our family) are feeling better about this transition. In my spirit we are tremendously greatful to have evidenced God's mercies,witness His blessings and to be a blessing to others as we embark upon a new journey, a new timetable. It's indeed another new beginning and transition that reunited and reconnected us with all that really matters in the name of love.

Thanks be to God it's your time to move friends!

Truly missing them all! 

blessing the boats    

by Lucille Clifton 

(at St. Mary's)

may the tide

that is entering even now

the lip of our understanding

carry you out

beyond the face of fear

may you kiss

the wind then turn from it

certain that it will

love your back    may you

open your eyes to water

water waving forever

and may you in your innocence

sail through this to that

Peace and Blessings,
Linda Mose Meadows:
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/ and the author of:
The Blessedness of Believing: A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

CELEBRATING LUCILLE CLIFTON

CELEBRATING THE PROLIFIC LUCILLE CLIFTON !

Expired on Februay 13, 2010 at the age of 73

http://project1.caryacademy.org/echoes/poet_Lucille_Clifton/Defaultclifton.htm

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Distinguished Poet, Author, Humanitarian, Poet Laureate, National Book Award Recipient, Professor, an American Literary Giant, Her book: “Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir, 1969-1980” (BOA, 1987) was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1988. She won in 2001 for ‘Blessing the Boats.’ She was also the first African American woman to win the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.

BORN:

Thelma Lucille Sayles was born on June 27, 1936, in Depew, N.Y., and reared in nearby Buffalo.

MARRIED:

In 1958 she married Fred Clifton and together they had six children.



Some of Ms. Clifton’s early work was published in “The Poetry of the Negro, 1746-1970” (Doubleday, 1970), edited by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps.

The Poet Society of America will honor Lucille as planned on April 1, 2010, at 7pm at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park, New York.

This prominent woman shook the literary world with her exuberance and honesty.

May her works continue to inspire and leave indelible impressions in our hearts and minds.

We love you Sister Lucille!

let there be new flowering

by Lucille Clifton


let there be new flowering

in the fields let the fields

turn mellow for the men

let the men keep tender

through the time let the time

be wrested from the war

let the war be won

let love be

at the end

poery from: http://www.literary-arts.org/pim/poems/1997/16/

Expressing Thanksgiving & Joy!

Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist:

The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

FAMILY SOJOURN

This was written more than a year ago, and I wanted to revisit this post and
thought you too might appreciate the sentiment for family and poetry that resonates with the divine. God bless you my friends!

photo © Dorothy Alexander

Lucille Clifton was born in Depew, New York, on June 27, 1936. Her first book of poems, Good Times, was rated one of the best books of the year by the New York Times in 1969.
Clifton remained employed in state and federal government positions until 1971, when she became a writer in residence at Coppin State College in Baltimore, Maryland, where she completed two collections: Good News About the Earth (1972) and An Ordinary Woman (1974).

blessing the boats

by Lucille Clifton

(at St. Mary's)

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back

may you open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that

This was my third Jones Lewis Family reunion celebrated with my husband's side of the family in Baltimore, Maryland; Dougie and Janice did an exemplary job as our host family from the start of the weekend through Sunday farewell gathering afternoon spent in their backyard.

Truly it was a memorable occassion and quite a whirlwind weekend filled with cutural and family appreciation. New connections were made, conversations had with favorite family members, laughter and lamenting opportunities had while we meandered through the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.

Why I never thought about Art History and eventually becoming a curator is beyond me? I love visiting museums, truly it's a great meeting place, and yes there's history, culture and art under one roof.

This was my second visit to this fine museum, but this moment provided me with an opportunity to journey through the exhibit A People's Geography. As my husband entertained and chased little Courtney around the museum, I eventually caught up with them in the gallery that featured A People's Geography: The Spaces of American Life and there was Lucille Clifton's blessing the boats poem painted on the wall.

There I stood transfixed rereading her blessing. I felt the words were as powerful as the beautiful quilts, the artistic impressions and the historical video.

I thanked God for how eloquent and appropriate Ms. Clifton's words were for this family sojourn. These were words were stenciled not only on this wall, but in my heart. Words that captivated my soul. Words meant for our time, our ancestors and the generations yet to be born. Words that were a blessings for any visitor, any traveler to behold.

Here we were in the midst of this celebration of family and culture, why it couldn't have occured in a more approriate setting! Thank you and may God continue to keep you Sister Lucille!

Every Word of God is pure;

he is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5

Joyfully Resubmitted by :

Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Columnist

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

All rights reserved, no use without prior written permission of Linda M. Meadows