Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

The Clock is Ticking...for ALL of Us

6/11/2014

6 Comments

 
Picture
"There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday, the other is called tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, believe, do and mostly Live." --Dalai Lama XIV

My cousin has terminal brain cancer and his time on this Earth is getting small. As those closest to him care for him and watch his moments slip away, I feel trapped inside a helpless box, searching for something to share with all of them that might ease their pain, lessen their grief. I have nothing adequate to give except my unwavering love and the ability to share my own happy memories of a man who is fading.

He is a quiet man, with a brilliant mind and a gentle spirit. He is also ridiculously gifted in Mathematics, and tried his best on one of his visits to North Carolina, to assist 'little me" at understanding various Math concepts. He was a patient teacher, which is saying something because I know I was a pain in the BUTT to try and teach because I got frustrated and/or distracted easily (which I probably grew out of--a little--sometimes)! When I was growing up, he and his family visited our house in North Carolina several times, in part because Aunt Mattie also helped to raise his Mom the same way she raised me. He and his younger brother trounced through the woods with me, exploring, helped me build a fort in the loft of our old barn and played board games with me for hours. They also never got annoyed with me and my incessant "Why?" questions about everything (I didn't grow out of always asking why, but I try very hard to be less annoying about it now that I'm all grow'd up). Both of them were also very adept at making me laugh, a golden gift for a broken child that I am sure neither of them was aware they were giving me. His love of the stars and the night sky is what initially got me interested in Astronomy and sparked my own passion for all things celestial.

celestial--adj. 1. heavenly; divine; spiritual. 2. of or relating to the sky.

This word gives me pause, as it is a perfect choice for how I remember him from my childhood and how I think of him now as he nears stepping from this plane of existence to the next. He was a divine gift to a little girl living in a world filled with monsters. He pointed me to the sky, so that I could see that there was far more to the Universe than my troubles. If I could stand next to him now, I'd put my hands on his warm, kind, handsome face and tell him---"I hope you find peace where you are going, joy as you take on your next adventure, and comfort in knowing just how much love for you so many people feel. You leave behind many blessings in the lives of all whom you have touched." And then, I'd lean close and give his nose a noisy, wet smooch!

Dedicated to David, Scott, and Yvette, whom I love without measure and am honored to call family.


*Image from www.innovatoys.com.

6 Comments
Yvette Aldrich
6/12/2014 10:11:25 am

Amy;

This is absolutely beautiful and I am going to read it to David the next time that we go see him.I just hope that I can do it without blubbering like I am now. You have described his effect on all of imperfectly.

Love you so much!

Reply
Yvette Aldrich
6/12/2014 10:18:30 am

Crying so much didn't catch the auto correct! You described his effect on all of us perfectly.

Reply
Amy M. Schaefer
6/14/2014 01:44:32 am

Yvette,
I'm so glad that I could offer you, Scott, and David something meaningful. The tears I shed writing it and remembering, reading your comments, they would fill a small lake...sending you my support and love and looking forward to the day when you'll come to me and I can hug you tight for a very long time!

Always,
A.

Reply
Yvette Aldrich
6/14/2014 05:55:16 am

Amy I just read this to David and he was so sweet and spoke about the infamous wasp attack in the barn which made Scott laugh. His final remark was about your closing statement in that he figured that you were trying to measure something that is has an immeasurable quality. Pure Dave! Thank you for allowing me to give him this gift.

We love you!

Yvette

Reply
Agency Northern Ireland link
3/5/2021 12:17:20 pm

This was greeat to read

Reply
Amy M. Schaefer
7/26/2021 11:35:31 am

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! <3

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery