As some of you may know, doing nothing is very hard for me, and as I'm spending most of my time in the healing process these days, it looks as if I am “doing nothing.” (Except: physical therapy for balance, strength, and endurance; occupational therapy to start doing things for myself, like showering, working a little bit in the kitchen… you know, life stuff.)

Between the above mentioned activities, there is a lot of time to sit and stare out the window… and the weather during the last few days of February has provided some amazing sights. Looking to the west I see the beautiful snow-capped Olympic Mountain range; and to the east the Cascade Mountain Range!

But, closer to my residence is a beautiful lake. And, guess what? It was pointed out to me by one of my caregivers that… 

The Water Is Blue! And, so it is! (whenever the sun shines).

The title stuck. I hope you like the poem that followed.

THE WATER IS BLUE

Have you ever noticed that when the sun is shining,
The water always looks blue.
It reflects the color of the sky, of course…
(It could be white, grey or black, too).

It seems that people are drawn to those
Who are happy with their lives;
Who can’t help but share their joy with others;
And who send forth only sunny vibes.

And have you noticed that when you’re happy
Your “sky” is blue, and reflects the same.
You can’t help but share your joy, my friend,
And others' “water” turns blue. It’s part of the game.

Make it a habit to share your sunshine with others!
This is advice for every woman and man.
Be aware that your joy has an affect on others.
Turn their water to blue every time you can.

The speed bumps I crossed are nearly behind me now, and life is taking on a rosier shade. I hope to not get behind in doing the things I love to do… mainly, sharing my thoughts (put to poetry) with you.

Recently, I was thinking of my own family… my mother’s voice rang in loud and clear with one of her wonderful remembrances, and I wished I could phone her (“to get the rest of the story”).

Of course, I was too late to get the information. And I had not asked when I could have talked to her in person. 

If, only.

I look forward to visiting with you again soon. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the poem… and, have fun with the interviews.

IF ONLY I KNEW MORE ABOUT MY FAMILY’S HISTORY...

Did you ever wonder what life was like
When your grandparents were girls and boys?
Did they like to play? And if they did, 
What were their favorite toys?

Asking direct questions (like an interview)
Might seem too formal a style.
But there are ways to phrase your questions
And you both end up with smiles.

Ask the right questions, and you’ll be amazed
At the delight they feel in remembering.
You will listen, of course, more than you talk.
It takes a special style of listening.

Ask them to share their earliest memories:
Do not interrupt when they start to share.
Listen intently to all they have say.
This is your family history! Are you aware?

There are many ways to harvest your family’s secrets.
You might ask how they got to school…
And expand with related questions,
Always following the golden rule.

You will know how to proceed in your quest for family knowledge.
And I urge you to pursue this as a special assignment.
But do it now, while they are still in your life.
Do not wait till it’s too late, stay in the proper alignment.

While scrolling on my cell phone the other day, I noticed a strange looking word that made me stop for a minute and take a closer look. The word was “Thankuary,” obviously a play on the word “January.” I did catch the word “Thank,” however. Thankfulness is gratitude, one of my favorite subjects.

After my experiences, as outlined in the December 2025 Poem of the Month intro letter, January 2026 brings me a positive progression of small victories as I am getting stronger. The healing is taking place, thanks to the help of doctors and caregivers, and though I know not to expect instant miracles of immediately getting back to the way it was before, I am definitely on the right track, and will get there when I am meant to.

I am so grateful for the progress I have made, and the worry has gone away. 

Lesson learned: Worry doesn’t heal.

The poem, GRATITUDE... written in 2015… is my offering for January 2026th's Poem of the Month. I hope you enjoy it.

GRATITUDE

“Thank You!” These words carry so much ...
Gratitude, humility and understanding.
We have so much to be grateful for ...
Our health, our friends, not withstanding.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into more.
It’s the healthiest of all the human emotions,
The highest form of thought, and furthermore ...
It’s the greatest of virtues, the parent of all.
Gratitude helps us to grow and expand.
It brings joy and laughter into our lives.
It makes sense of our past. We know where we stand. 

And as we express our gratitude
We must never forget this wisdom:
The highest appreciation for what we have
Is not to utter the words, but live by them.