TAKING A CHANCE ON "CHANCE"

I have to tell you of this young man I met some time ago.

He stood beside a building with a sign,

What it said, I didn't know.

I walked a little closer where I could see what it did say.

I read the words upon it,

Then I began to pray.

The sign asked if  he could do something to perhaps make a "buck".  

He would in turn give some of what he got,

To one worse than he...down on his luck.

He is not White like me...which at times I've been ashamed of.

His skin is Black...his words respectful,

His smile is filled with love.

I went to this amazing young man...at the place whereby he stood.

I said to him, "I would love to help you sir,

If I only could."

I'm probably as bad off  financially as you , 

But...I can share a little."

I gave him a dollar...half of what I had,...for I had only two.

"No ma'am...you talked to me, your smile's worth more than  money." 

He  melted my poor heart, 

With words way sweeter than honey.

We chatted  and agreed...love not war...is what this country needs,

A softer, gentler nation,

Geared towards love and Holy deeds.

"My name is Gramma Dawn son...and what might I call you?"

"Chance" is what I go by, 

You can call me that...please do."

"I took a chance on you 'Chance', and you have been so sweet."

"Well Gramma Dawn", he humbly said, 

I'm glad that we did meet."

"Me too," I said, "there's not too many like you these days,

A lot of folks seem to think...'It's all about me.'

They show narcissistic ways."

"That's true,"  he said, "but it's really not our place to judge."

I said, "Chance...you know, I know  you're right, 

Nor should we hold a grudge."

"Jesus said," 'Judge not, lest ye be judged.' "It's in His Holy Book."

"Yep" I said, "All anyone has to do is,

Open it up and look."

All God's Prophets have books saying the same thing in different ways.

God is the Most High Judge,

Always, to Him we should turn...through our eternal days.

I'm glad I took a chance on "Chance," he told me I was like no other.

"He said, "Ma'am...you made my day the first time you came by,

To me you're like a mother"

He's not some angelic kid...he's been around the block.

If I were to talk like this about my own kids,

I think they'd be in shock.

It's just that his mother lives many miles away, 

And my kids work, have families and, 

Don't have time to stay.

Hence...we have become  a sort of substitute mother and son.

Whenever I see him we always chat, and

Have a bit of fun.

I live alone...I do the best I can to keep a positive outlook.

If ever I do feel down,

I simply get out my trusty God Book.

Life is what it is...folks are who they are, there is no arguing that.

I'm glad that God gave me the chance to meet  "Chance",

So we could have that chat.

My life is much fuller...now that I have lost some fears,

I've been working on growing up

For lo these many years.

Making amends...meeting new friends.. has been a part of the dance,

I've made amends...met lots of friends, and  

Took the chance on my new friend, "Chance."

GOD BLESS!

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

ALMOST LIKE SUMMER

Here I sit again high above the Santa Monica Pier in my handy, dandy,stroller/walker...that I told you about yesterday.  

Pigeons swoop by like a formation of geese flying south for the winter. The flock comes by so close I can almost reach out and touch them as they light down. 

I notice how pretty they are with feathers of black and grey with a kind of florescent green, or purple color around the neck. They stay only momentarily perhaps looking for food, then off they swoop again.

My view today from Ocean Boulevard is of an Armada of sail boats...not racing...just lazily gliding through the beautiful blue/green waters of the Pacific Ocean near the beach. Makes one wistfully think of taking a trip on a cruise ship in the future.

Dragging my thoughts away from my imaginary future cruise, I notice a rather corpulent lady napping on a bench in the sun, a red umbrella sheltering her from its healthy, but sometimes harmful rays...she doesn't need a suntan.

On the bench next to her, a gorgeous White Chow sits along side its mistress. A blonde lady walks by pulling a small Poodle on a leash. The two canines come to terms  with a growl and a short bark.

The cutest little "afro-headed" toddler is chasing a pigeon, while his beautiful mother...a tall, slim, lady...is chasing him.
I laugh and say, "I can see why you stay so thin." She laughs back, "Yeah,"grabs her frisky little one, and runs to catch up with Grandma.

It's cool today, but beautifully sunny...almost like summer. Numerous tourists and runners fly by. There are several folks napping in the park, and there are also  a few who obviously spent the night. My heart goes out to them and I pray.

Since it's a lot like a summer day, I am going to recite the poem I promised you at a later date. It's called, "I Love Summer." Written in March of 1955.

I love the summer sun to shine a way up in the blue.
I love her trees of tall green Pine, her lakes and rivers too.

I love the dress that nature has bestowed upon this beauty.
To keep alive this lovely lass, Mom Nate has quite a duty.

Foliage green, clear blue sky, spruce up  Miss Summer's cover.
Nature's gifts are not the only reason why I love her.

There are myriad attributes for which I give her credit.
I know there have been many other poets who have said it.

To sum it up, as you can see, I kind of like this lady,
Although at times she has to be a lady that is shady.

But, when the leaves change in the fall, and summer takes a rest,
I find that I am fickle, for 'tis autumn I love best.

GOD BLESS!!  SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!

RESURRECTION

                

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES & GROANS

has been on an unwanted vacation 

due to circumstances, partially beyond her control.

She is back now, and rarin' to go with more of  her 

witticisms, essays, articles of merit, quaint characters, 

art, entertaining subjects, truth, an abundance of poetry, 

and whatever else turns her on.

Due to the fact that she's not really "techie savvy" there

is a lot of her old stuff still floating around. Which is okay, 

but, she doesn't want to bore everyone with the same ol', 

same ol'. Please be patient, she WILL work it out.

Gramma Dawn would also like to add, that she has a few
other blogs for you to ponder.

1. "mysticmusings@blogspot.com;

2. "sojoinusintruth@blogspot.com";

3."myhumblebeing@blogspot,com".

So come and join her in Truth, Gripe & groan with her
 on Granny's, Gripes & Groans. Meditate with her in
 Mystic Musings & other mysterious stuff, and learn about
 her life in, My Humble Being.

GOD BLESS!!  SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!

CHERISHED MOMENTS

       
As I sit here on a park bench with my feet firmly planted on my only mode of transportation...my stroller/walker...I close my eyes and smell the sweet, fresh air blowing through what little hair I have left.

My birthday is in two weeks. I've been on this planet 86 years. I feel blessed to be able to still enjoy the sun setting on this lovely stretch of beach in Santa Monica, CA.

I am up on Ocean Boulevard, overlooking the famous Santa Monica Pier. I see it from here. Ant like forms are darting about doing fun things, like eating hot dogs, listening to music, both live and canned. Waves are lapping the shore, as more ants enjoy it's coolness, while basking in the autumn sun.

The Ferris wheel appears to labor as it rather sluggishly, rotates it's myriad passengers, mostly tourists...I assume, under their collective weights. Another exciting attraction to write in their travel journals.

I love the ocean. It's soothing calmness helps me maintain my equilibrium whenever it is over worked. What better way to relax and keep cool, than to recline and unwind in the warmth of a sunny day at the beach while writing...that's what I do...I write.

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION: I will at this time introduce you to some of my poetry. This one happens to be about the very subject I have been writing about today...the ocean. This was the first bit of poetry I ever wrote. Written in March of 1955. I was in a kind of Robert Frost mood. During this period I also wrote a poem about summer, but I'll save that for another day..aren't you lucky? This one is called: "THE OCEAN SINGS".

Did you know the ocean sings a haunting melody?
She whispers,and she moans and groans as she flows on out to sea.

Her song is sometimes gentle with sweet melodic sounds, 
And then with great crescendo against the rocks she pounds.

At times her voice with anguish seems to fill the very air,
For she hasn't any place to go...except from here to there.

Her drum roll waves go on and on like a hundred tympani's,
While seagulls hover over-head and lend their sympathies.

Sometimes she'll let you bathe and play and have a lot of fun,
And catch her waves, or taste her salt, or linger in the sun.

But, she can be quite dangerous and full of mystery,
To fight with her is crazy, as crazy as can be.

Because, when she is angry, she hasn't any heart,
And yet , when it is time to go, it's really hard to part.

She murmurs, she pleads, she begs...oh please don't go away,
I promise I'll be very good if you will only stay.

Soon she has been left all alone to sing her songs of woe,
Oh why? Oh why? Does everybody always have to go?

GOD BLESS!!  SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!




     
            

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: FREEDOM--WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

GRANNY'S GOODIES, GRIPES AND GROANS: FREEDOM--WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?: "TODAY IS INDEPENDENCE DAY: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both signed the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776. the National Holi..."

FREEDOM--WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

TODAY IS INDEPENDENCE DAY:


John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both signed the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776. the National Holiday was declared on July 4, 1776.


Ironically 50 years later both of these "founding fathers" died on the same day just hours apart on July 4, 1826.


Today we celebrate our breaking away from British rule.  This is only one kind of freedom.


I once read a story of a man who was shackled in a dark pit in Haifa, Israel.  His name was Baha'u'llah.  In Arabic his name means, "The Glory of God."  Jesus the Christ told us in the Book of Revelations that He would send us a "comforter", and on Him He would write a NEW NAME.  He said that the name would mean, "The Glory of the Lord."  Baha'u'llah is that "comforter".


He spent most of His life being scourged, beaten, imprisoned and exiled from country to country  and spent many years in "The Most Great Prison" in Akka where there were no windows, no running water and no facilities.  This Holy man was forced to live among thieves and murderers. He did so without complaint, and His spirit soared because His "freedom" came from God.


It was while in this prison that He was visited by an angel who told  Him that He was the new chosen divine messenger of God.  


Baha'u'llah after being released from the "pit" was always under "house arrest" and was constantly scorned and had to suffer indignities and disbelief--much like Jesus the Christ.  However, since God had manifested His Spirit into this human soul, Baha'u'llah had the power to withstand every kind of humiliation and degradation that the Clerics of that day as well as the Islamic Government could heap upon Him.  He was constantly ridiculed and cursed at.  In spite of this He had many staunch followers.  He was most beloved by these brave souls who were putting their own lives at risk to be wherever He was, and to openly worship Him. 


Baha'u'llah and the founder of the Babi Faith known as the Bab ( meaning "the Gate" in Arabic) were known as the "twin prophets".  Bab declared his mission in 1844 and was much like Johm the Baptist who was the forerunner to Jesus the Christ.  He came to tell the Jewish people that God had sent a new messenger. Many did not believe Him  and He too was treated with indignities, tortured and finally killed. 


However unlike John the Baptist, the Bab was a divine prophet himself and brought new laws and a new book called the Bayan.  He died a martyrs death,  but not before He had firmly implanted the teachings of His book into the hearts of His followers.  He also commanded that after His death they were to follow the new Messiah known as "The Glory of God".  Baha'u'llah declared Himself to be the one that mankind had been waiting for. He let it be known in 1863 that he indeed was the "Promised One" of all ages.


Baha'u'llah was sent to bring about love and peace through His teachings.  He wrote over 100 epistles and books in His own hand, or those that he dictated to His secretary.  Two of my favorite books are "The Kitabi-Aqdas ( The Book of Laws), and the Hidden Words (words from God). I also highly recommend a book called. "Baha'u'llah: King of Glory" by H. M. Balyuzi, you can find it on Amazon.com/


If you are interested in learning more about this most recent prophet, and His wonderful Baha'i Faith, go to www.bahai.org/


Yes--I am a Baha'i, and have been for over 40 years.  As Baha'is we do not proselytize, but we do invite you to investigate for yourself.


That's what "freedom" means to me--the right to share with anyone what I believe--no strings attached.


Following are some of the principles of the Baha;i Faith:


  1.   ALL HUMANITY IS ONE FAMILY
  2.   WOMEN AND MEN ARE EQUAL
  3.   INVESTIGATION OF TRUTH WITHOUT PRECONCEPTIONS
  4.   SCIENCE AND RELIGION WORK HAND IN HAND
  5.   ECONOMIC PROBLEMS ARE LINKED TO SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS
  6.   FAMILY UNITY IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE
  7.   ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS COME FROM GOD
  8.   THERE IS ONE GOD
  9.   THE NEED FOR AN AUXILIARY LANGUAGE
10.   MANDATORY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN
11.   THERE IS NO CLERGY--WE ARE THE TEACHERS
12.   WORLD PEACE IS THE UTMOST NEED OF OUR TIME


The following are questions often asked about the Baha;i Faith:


   1.   WHO IS BAHA'U'LLAH?
   2.   WHAT IS THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE?
   3.   HOW DO BAHA'IS RELATE TO POLITICS?
   4.   HOW DO THE BAHA'IS VIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS?
   5.   HOW DO BAHA'IS SPREAD THEIR BELIEFS?
   6.   WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM FOR ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS?
   7.   WHERE DO THEY WORSHIP?
   8.   WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?
   9.   DO BAHA'IS BELIEVE IN HEAVEN AND HELL?
 10.   WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON MARRIAGE?
 11.   HOW CAN I BECOME INVOLVED?


What Baha'u'llah has to say about freedom:


          "If the learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure."--Baha'u'llah


Have a very Happy 4th of July, and please be safe.


GOD BLESS!!   SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!