Sing Me a Lullaby (sonnet)

Can't somebody sing me a lullaby,
Like I think my mother always used to?
I can't sleep and I'm much too old to cry,
So what's a very tired woman to do?
Can't someone get me some milk in a glass,
And warm it like I remember she did,
Or hot cocoa, that would do the trick fast,
I would finally be sleeping instead.
Can't somebody rock me and hold me close,
Like I think my dad must have always done?
I think it's the hugs that I miss the most,
And being alone isn't any fun.
It's true that I'm being a big baby,
But even grownups have "those days," maybe.

How It Feels to Be Saved (sonnet)

Like icy lemonade on a hot day,
Like a cozy scarf in cold mid-winter,
Like all the lights turning green in your way,
Like a needle when you've got a splinter,
Like a wrench and jack when you have a flat,
Like an emery board when a nail snags,
Like a GPS to tell where you're at,
Like extra hands when you're carrying bags,
Like a baby's giggle when you feel down,
Like a warm glass of milk when you can't sleep,
Like whispers from God when no one's around,
Like a lifeguard's arms when you're in too deep;
That's how it feels to be saved and know it.

That's what it means to know God and show it.

Leaning on the Lord (sonnet)

Just put one foot in front of the other,
And just take one little step at a time.
Trust your subtle instincts as a mother,
Tell yourself, "ev'rything will be just fine."
Just wake up each and every morning,
And with a genuine smile, greet the day.
With each sunset as the daylight's fading,
Say, "we will all make it through this okay."
Never doubt God's power for a second,
Never falter from the path He shows you.
Never linger when His Spirit beckons,
Don't forget He made you and He knows you.
You'll find answers; keep trusting in His word.
You'll find comfort; keep leaning on the Lord.

New Artwork - Weeping Willow

I'm sure everybody has heard this phrase at least once or twice in their lives . . . find a "happy place" . . . whether it's in a movie, or from a therapist, or what have you.

Personally, I have always visualized a tree that I used to love to climb in as a child. It was a weeping willow tree down by the creek. It was always so peaceful . . . and somehow I knew that nothing could bother me there. The gentle breeze, the fresh air, the sound of the birds singing . . . yeah . . . that's where I want to be about now!

New Artwork - Comfort

My therapist told me last week that I need to imagine what it would have been like if someone would have comforted me after the abuse, to imagine what "comfort" would look like to me. I told her I wasn't really sure, but that I'd always imagined how nice it would have been to be wrapped up in my mother's arms and cry on her shoulder, to have her say "it's okay, it's not your fault," etc. So this picture/project is very different from most that I've done recently in that it is more positive and potentially inspirational.

What I would say to survivors of abuse is this -- maybe there wasn't anybody there to rescue you way back when. Maybe you were afraid to tell anyone. Maybe you DID tell someone, but weren't believed. Whatever the case may be, it's NEVER to late to be comforted . . . even if you have to do the comforting YOURSELF.


In my case, I'm simply trying to learn to nurture that part of me, my "inner child," so to speak . . . to hold her and reassure her that everything's okay now, that she's special, she's safe, and she's LOVED.