Ties that bind…or strangle.

Several years ago, I read a study synopsis from a well respected site indicating that the most influential power in a child’s life was his parents. (Golly-gee-whiz, I wonder how many man-hours and tax dollars went into that one.)  Of course, ask any of the teachers in my middle school, and they could have told you that.  Better yet, I have a Book that pretty well spells it out from years of experience and Wisdom. 

Needless to say, there are some forces in the Universe that are inherently powerful, for good or evil, and parenthood is certainly at the top of that list.  It’s not that parents can take credit for all the choice their kids make (positive or negative), but their influence is still credibly incredible in some capacity throughout a person’s life. 

So it takes some real courage when a child, even an adult “child”, has to back up and re-evaluate patterns of thinking and doing that

Name that tune

I’m not a true musician, but I dabble around in a few things.  I sort of remember a some notes and symbols from the treble cleft, thanks to my parents’ marvelous attempts to musically educate their young daughter.  So when it came time for our oldest child to enter 5^th grade, I informed her that it wasn’t a matter of whether or not she would be in the band, but simply which instrument would she like to play.

In other words, at least some exposure to

The Voice Not Easily Heard

Ed is working on his advanced degree while he and his wife are raising two small children.  I can relate, since I helped “push my husband through” his Ph.D. process with three kids in tow.  (When the very precious piece of paper arrived in the mail, I told Bob that this was “our” diploma!)

Ed is also dealing with a recently diagnosed genetic blood disorder that has thrown his health, as well as his family’s bank account, into a bit of turbulent waters.  (I can say this because it’s on his blog.) But in spite of this, and most importantly, Ed is a man of faith in the God of wonders, Who is all good, all wise, and all powerful.  Thank you, Ed, for the privilege  of posting your work!  (As always, here’s the disclaimer.)

THE VOICE NOT EASILY HEARD

written by Edmond Sanganyado

*inspired by Robert Frost’s Road Not Taken

 

Two voices whispered in a dark room

One many and the other only just solo

One a rustling mopane leaf in autumn

One a thousand and one echoes of wonder

I listened intently, but could only hear one

 

Of many, I heed with all my might

For one was too quiet in this lonely night

As the stars, the loud echoes became light

Illuminating my path, it all seemed right

I followed the snarly breeze like a kite

 

I looked far ahead as I followed the train

Not only I, but billions trailed the many

No pain, no rain, all gain, but then, no brain

Only a promise of a dance, laughter and joy

Because it was a call to a never-ending party

 

And that night both voices equally spoke

The scattered letters meant the same, Come

Indeed, I listened to the other, not the first

The second seems arose from my heart’s rest

And that communion was too luring for jest

 

One day, I will recall with bouts of shame

In the distant past, a decision once stood

Two voices once called me from the dark, but I

Heed the one with a bait of quick happiness

Yet, the still small voice never stopped calling

–Let your life of faith transform society

 

Used with permission.  Drop over to Ed’s blog at : http://gracemusing.com

Transforming more than the language

 

tran(t)sˈfôrmər/ noun

noun: transformer; plural noun: transformers

1. an apparatus for reducing or increasing the voltage of an alternating current.
2. a person or thing that transforms something

 Thank you, Google.  There is now, however, another somewhat more colloquial definition that most everyone under the age of 30 knows, that highly marketed and financially successful