Category: Kim’s Blog

Poetry

In 1937, an English teacher at De Witt Clinton High School, Abel Meeropol, wrote the poem Strange Fruit:

Southern trees bear strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.

Later, Meeropol set the poem to music. It was recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939.

Why be grateful for such wrenching words? For the portrayal of such a gruesome scene? In words or in song?

Here we are served by George Santayana who observed, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The poem and song Strange Fruit portray the past in sickeningly stark honesty. Meeropol was Jewish. Could he have been thinking that remembering this harrowing past in America could influence the course of events in Europe? We don’t know.

But may we be grateful for those writers, musicians, scholars, and artists who help us to remember the past so that we are not condemned to repeat it.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thinks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Forgiveness

We’ve done something to wrong someone. And we know it. And we feel awful about it. We’re abashed, ashamed. We do what we can. We want to make things right. We ask for forgiveness. And what a relief it is when that forgiveness is granted!

It can be hard to accept such a gift. A relationship is restored and maybe even strengthened. Our guilt is relieved. Forgiveness from someone is something to be very grateful for. Can you think of a time that you have received such forgiveness? How did that feel?

There is also another side to forgiveness. Sometimes we are the ones who have been wronged. Sometimes someone has done something that has caused us harm in some way. We bear the burden of the injury, the hurt, the pain. It may be something fairly minor. It may be devastating. But we carry the weight of having been wronged. It may linger and fester.

When we choose to forgive someone, we lay that weight down. We release that burden. We free ourselves from that load. And we can forgive whether the other party has requested that forgiveness or not. We can choose to forgive regardless of the demeanor of the other person.

Forgiving others restores us and frees us. Maybe you can think of someone who has hurt you. Forgive them in your heart. You don’t even need to tell them you have done so. And you likely will find that you have unburdened your spirit.

In this season of gratitude, may we give thanks for forgiveness – the forgiveness that we receive AND the forgiveness that we give.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thinks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Election Day

It’s Election Day.  Finally!  There’s been quite a lead up to this election.  Ads.  Mailers.  Robo calls.  Yard signs.  Emails.  Texts.  Social media posts.  Radio, TV, and print media coverage.  And it’s finally here – the day of the midterm elections in the United States.  

In the Gratitude Journal provided by the church for this season of preparation for The BIG Event, there is a prompt:  Something I appreciate about living in the United States. . . There are so many things to be grateful for but today, I am thinking about how thankful I am that we have a say so in who our leaders are.  We have the right to vote for our leaders and those who will govern.  And that right was hard won for African Americans and for women.  People were willing to give their lives to get the vote because voting matters.  In the current news there are many stories about voter suppression and gerrymandering.  Why bother to restrict voters or to manipulate district lines if it didn’t matter?  Voting makes a difference.

And here in Florida, voting is not just about who gets elected to govern, but we also vote on amendments to the state constitution.  This gives us the power to directly influence the laws of our state.  Think of it.  With our vote.  In those few minutes filling out a ballot, we have the power to give 1.4 million people in Florida who have paid their debt to society the right to vote and have a constructive impact on their community and their country.  [Vote yes on Amendment 4]  We have the power to stop any further off-shore drilling on the coasts of Florida and to stop fracking in Florida.  [Amendment 9]  

I am grateful that we have the power to influence the life of our communities and our country by voting.  I am thankful that voting gives us a voice in the affairs of our land.  

I am also thankful that the election will be over today.  Whoever wins, whoever loses, there will still be work to do to ensure that there is “liberty and justice for all” in these great United States of America.   

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16    

An Operation

I am thankful that our new dog, Stephanie, had surgery.  Yes, I know, that sounds like a strange thing to be grateful for.  An operation?  But here’s my story.  

First of all, I am thankful that we have Stephanie.  She is a 6 year old, AKC champion, 136 pound black Newfoundland.  She was re-homed to us this spring.  So she is new to our household.  And she is one very big bundle of JOY.  

I am also thankful that Stephanie’s bum leg could be healed through surgery.  In another month, she should be up to snuff as she has not been in some time.  It was a relatively easy fix.

Next, I am grateful that we actually had the money to pay for this extremely costly procedure.  There have been many times in our lives when paying for this surgery would have been impossible.  I don’t know what we would have done.  Maybe we would have given her back to her breeder.  I don’t know.  But I was am so very grateful that we could provide this care for our beloved pet.

I am also thankful that we were able to manage the care that Stephanie needed after her operation.  It has been an inconvenience, to be sure, always taking her out on the leash when needed 24 hours a day, buying a harness to hold up her back end when she stands, not letting her use the doggie door, restricting our other two dogs from using the doggie door, giving medication at 8 and 4 and 8 and midnight for a week, etc.  But I am so grateful that we have been able to allocate the time and manage the scheduling to meet Stephanie’s needs.  And I am also grateful that I have the physical ability to hold her up and help her maneuver.  

Sometimes it is surprising how much you have to be thankful for.  And even more surprising how that is revealed to you. 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16  

A personal note:  On this, our 35th wedding anniversary, I am thankful for my husband who tolerates my devotion to dogs and my special fondness for Newfs, drool and all!