Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Tuesday 24 December 2013

A Christmas wish or two

So it is  Christmas  eve already, and are  we  ready? Well  close  enough, the gifts are  wrapped and the tree is up, the food is prepped and we have so dog  cookies  to put out for  "Santa Paws "
So I guess  we are  as  ready  as  we  can  be. Ready, and  so  very  blessed . We  will  be  surrounded  by family and the comfort and  safety of  our  home and  love, not much  more  we  could ask  for is there?
Well there are one or two things I  would ask if I may be  so bold?

Let me  tell  you  first about my encounter at the gas  station today, I was in  line with so  many others  when a native  lady  stepped ahead of me,  she  said "Oh I just  went to grab  my coffee" I have to admit to being mildly irritated  that she stepped in but I thought Oh its Christmas , and smiled. She  then  turned to me and told me  she was  headed to Edmonton, because her  adopted  daughter had  passed away last  night in  a car accident,and  that she had  also just  recently  lost a beloved Uncle.
As the  words  poured out of her I was  dumbstruck! Such a  lot of  pain  for this  poor  lady and her  family. I uttered  the usual heartfelt  platitudes and tried  to keep  the tears out of  my  eyes, but really  what  words are  enough?? All she  was  buying  was a  bag of  chips and a coffee, but I finally  said, just  go , I've got this . She turned to me as though I had bought her the  world and hugged me sobbing (those  who  know me  know I never  let anyone  cry alone so you  can imagine what I did, all the  way  home).
So what am I being  so bold to ask? 
If  you have  a mind  to please  pray  for this  lady (who's name I did not get) and all of the others who are  struggling  with  loss, and fear, trying to get home,and  for those  who  will not make it home again.
And also if  you see  someone who needs a  little help, just  a smile a nod or a helping hand , remember the reason  for this season, and give them  what you can. 

I wrote  this  first  poem today, after  not writing  for a  long  time after being  so moved by this lady;
 
God bless the weary travellers
 We know not where they're bound
 How far they may have yet to go
 Or what trials they have found 
Offer a hand
Or share in a smile 
Something to carry them 
 Warm through the miles
 Remember their journey
Though not like your own
 Is the same in the way
We all long for our home 

 This second is one I wrote  some time ago, but also a  wish I pray  for each  year;



I will make a wish this Christmas Eve
For all to give and to receive

I promise I won't wish for very much
Just all creatures to have a loving touch

That joy and comfort and peace are shared
That shelter abounds and lives are spared

That family rejoice for loved ones come home
That no one is left afraid and alone

That no one is hungry, or out on the cold
I will wish for this, If I may be bold

It may not seem possible this gift to receive
But it can happen, I have to believe

For all to be loved, and kept warm and safe

This is what I wish, in continuing faith.



Wishing all a very Merry Christmas, wrapped in the love of family and the grace of God

12 comments:

aurora said...

Beautiful poems & wishes!! She will probably remember you as the angel who bought her coffee & gave her a healing hug. That's what Christmas is all about!

The Dancing Donkey said...

Lovely post. Merry Christmas.

Prairie Ridge Performance Horses said...

Now THAT is the true spirit of Christmas !!!
Well Done my friend, enjoy the rest of your Christmas, safe in the thought that you made some ones day better!!

Merry Christmas!!

phaedra96 said...

No one knows the trials we face as we do not know theirs. A little compassion can go a long way. Merry Christmas.

Willow said...

The spirit of Christmas caring about others as we would our own ~your beautiful ,as are your poems.
Wishing you bright blessings and Joy,
Merry Christmas and
Holiday Hugs,
Willow

kden said...

Beautiful poems and fitting for the season. Such a sad story; glad you were the person she cut in front of. You probably made her day much more bearable.

Cut-N-Jump said...

Wishing you and your family the Merriest of Christmases. I hope the lady has an easier time of it, knowing that there are good people out there who care.

Cut-N-Jump said...

Wishing you and your family the Merriest of Christmases. I hope the lady has an easier time of it, knowing that there are good people out there who care.

Nicole said...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I'm so glad you're part of my life! :)

GoLightly said...

Merry Christmas, most wondrous Fern. What a gift you have with your words, so steadying, so calm.
Well, usually, of course :) Depends on the circumstances :)
Your kindness touches the heart.


All the very best to you and yours this Christmas, and a joyous and wonderful 2014 to us all!

C-ingspots said...

Such beautiful poems Sherry. I love the truth and the sentiment of each one, and have the same wish as you. Thank you for your kindness to a stranger...I'm sure it meant the world to her. Tears are meant to be shared, as is joy in happier times. And love is the greatest of all. Merry Christmas my friend.

sally said...

Merry Christmas Sherry ....to you and all you family a wonderful new year xx. Love your header too