Tuesday, May 8, 2012

"Rain on the Rooftop"


Rain on the rooftop, a Texas lullaby     
Thunder a distant heartbeat, wind a crooning sigh     
Watch the windows weep as lightning cuts the sky     
Clouds roll and tumble, carry raindrops on a ride     
Trees cleanse their dusty leaves—shake off Summer’s dry     
Droplets form to puddles, and rivers start to fly     
Mother Earth’s cracked face smiles and laughs in reply     
To rain on the rooftop, a Texas lullaby     

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman


Monday, May 7, 2012

“Sacrifices”




         A huge part of love means sacrifice. I don’t mean martyrdom where you bemoan your losses or announce to the world the costs of your grand gestures. I mean the simple day-to-day surrender of your needs because someone else’s needs prove greater. Placing another person’s wants first isn’t fashionable anymore. This saddens me. I believe too many people seek happiness by chasing a mirage when the reality is that contentment comes from helping the important people in our lives.

         I don’t believe anyone can traverse this life alone. I don’t believe in some magical cut-off point where parents should no longer aid their children. I don’t believe there comes a time when a child shouldn’t strive to care for his or her parents. I’m not talking about just financial support, either. We must give emotional sustenance when we see someone we love “starving.” If you look beyond all of the hype of what’s “acceptable” or “normal,” you’ll find multitudes of families who bond together, work together, and sacrifice together to reach a goal. That goal may benefit one family member more than another, but that’s okay. Some day in the future, it may be that beneficiary who steps in to offer support—to sacrifice.


          


Copyright 2012 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman