Carol A. Hand
Grateful for greeting
my seventy-first winter
on an almost silent snowed-in morning
amazed that I can still shovel snow
day after day after day
and remain grateful
for a simple life with so many blessings
*

for the daughter who takes time
from busy days to call just to talk
for the handsome hard-working grandson
who is kind and thoughtful
and remembers to send his love
for the granddaughter
whose presence lights up a room
for work to do that helps me stay engaged
and feel that what I have learned
can be of value to others
for friends who are here in times of need
and for the ancestors and wise beings
who have visited me in dreams and visions
helping me return and remain true
to the humble purpose for which I was born
seventy-one years ago
*
Congrats on another milestone, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rosaliene. ❤
LikeLike
Happy birthday! I’m sorry that you still have to shovel snow but so glad you’re still able!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for always being so thoughtful, dear friend. ❤
LikeLike
Heart-warming post Carol! You have a beautiful family! Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your kindness, dear Natalie. ❤
LikeLike
Beautiful post ❤ Congratulations! I hope i am still able to shovel snow in years to come. However, as we dont have snow here, i am hoping i will be able to still shovel and rake over the dirt in my veggie garden instead 😆
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, Mel. It will be some time yet before I will be able to clean out gardens here, but I, too, look forward to the opportunity. Sending my best wishes to you. ❤
LikeLike
Happiest Birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear friend. ❤
LikeLike
Dear Carol,
I’ve been reading, enjoying and appreciating what you write, even though I haven’t stopped by to comment for a long time. I’ve been “too busy” spending my time doing other things that seem important and that might even be valuable to others and perhaps even to the world. It’s hard to tell, really, though, except that I know I have at least a few people who seem to appreciate what I post on Facebook and beneath some articles on news sites. And then there is, of course, the work I’m doing to try to keep earning a few dollars to help meet the needs of Life that can be met with money.
But, reading what you posted here, now, I couldn’t help but come by to comment that I’ve just greeted my 70th Winter – well, back in early January – and that I’m still shoveling snow and enjoying doing it. I’m actually not amazed that I’m still shoveling snow and enjoying it, that’s simply the way Life is for me. We heat only with firewood and I enjoy scrounging up my own. The past few years that has mostly meant getting wood that has been cleared to build new roads and building sites and then hauled to large piles where it gets burned during the Winter. I salvage what I can, which involves cutting it with a chainsaw, and hauling it home where I split what needs splitting with my hydraulic splitter, and then stacking it in my woodshed.
The snow shoveling, the work on firewood and other physical activities in the yard and garden or elsewhere I simply consider to be the major part of my physical fitness program, and it seems to be working pretty well for me. I have had one stroke, eleven years ago, and one heart attack one year ago, yet i’m still here and still going strong.
Our daughter and her son, our grandson, live with us, so they are daily blessings in our Life in many ways, including by helping care for my wife who has severe dementia. And we have some friends who provide help in various ways that help make Life work, because we all get along better with a little help from our friends as we whirl around the Sun together from one Winter to the next – 70 here and counting . . .
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for taking time to visit and share your experiences, dear Cakmn. It’s always good to hear from you. You certainly have a lot of hard work to keep you busy and healthy. I am sorry to hear about your wife and send my best wishes to you and your family. ❤
LikeLike
Blessed indeed, Carol. What a lovely, caring family you have.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Cynthia. ❤
LikeLike
Wishing you all the best Carol! You’re one of the good ones…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is such a gift to hear from you, Art. Thank you so much for your kind words. ❤
LikeLike
Happy birthday, Carol! We are the same age, and a fine age it is. May 2018 be filled with delight for you, dear person. Lots of love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Susan, it is such a delight to hear from you. I miss your always thoughtful, beautiful posts, and I am deeply grateful for your kind words. Sending you lots of love, too. ❤
LikeLike
Yes Blessed, and blessings for your recognition of 71 winters and all that life has brought to and through you, thanks for such a lovely post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, Paul. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful way to celebrate your birthday and see all the amazing blessings you have in your life…the best of life cannot really be bought or negotiated and you have the best of it all: a family who honours and love you and the health and strength to keep doing great work…not surprised that your birthday is the same as my BF who lives in Spain and with whom I share a 30+ years friendship!
As the quote says: “May you live every day of your life!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Sylvia, thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments and blessings. I send my best wishes to you and am excited to see your new initiative! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well Carol, keep shoveling snow! It appears to have done you well!
And here is to many more snow falls for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tubularsock. You know you’re right. Shoveling is certainly healthy exercise, and tomorrow, if weather predictions hold true, I’ll have yet another opportunity. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you happiness, health and joy in every moment of your new age, my earthling friend. Happy birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words, Migo and WD. Sending my best wishes to you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday Carol. I hope you have many more winters. And live them in good health and among friends. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such lovely blessings, Kathy. Thank you so much. ❤
LikeLike
I am grateful for your gratitude, and thankful to have made your distant acquaintance here, Carol. Wlipiligadma nid8ba – happy birthday my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments, Rich. I am grateful for the chance to connect with you as well and appreciate the important work you do. ❤
LikeLike
Happy Birthday Carol – “May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.” (neal Gaiman)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words and blessings, Bernadette. Sending my best wishes to you and your family. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you, Carol, good health and many more happy seasons. The best is yet to come…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Raj, hearing from you is always a gift. Thank you so much for your lovely comments and blessings. I apologize for my belated reply. If I remember correctly, your birthday is sometime in February, too. I wish you many more happy seasons, as well. ❤
LikeLike
Happy birthday!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa. ❤
LikeLike
Birthday blessings to you, dear Carol! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear Carrie. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely birthday poem, Happy Birthday, Carol! 💜💐🎂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for such lovely comments, Chris. ❤
LikeLike
Lovely birthday poem… Wishing you a beautiful and blessed year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bette, thank you so much for your lovely comments and blessings. Sending my best wishes to you. ❤
LikeLike
Happy Birthday dear friend! Wishing you the very best in all the seasons! Bob
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes, dear friend. ❤
LikeLike
May you celebrate many more winters happy, healthy, and with your loving family all around you, at peace and in good spirits Carol.
sending love and blessings, Eddie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and blessings, Eddie. Sending my best wishes to you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday my lovely, talented, inspiring and much cherished friend. You brighten my world by being in it and your wisdom and mercy is so needed. Wishing you peace and joy lovely lady!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Candice, I am deeply grateful for your thoughtful, lovely comments, and for the opportunity to soak in the beauty and depth of your poetry. Sending my best wishes. ❤
LikeLike
Such an inspiring post, Carol. Lovely poems and loving family. Wishing you God’s blessings and another wonderful year! Much love ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iris, thank you so much for your lovely comments and blessings. Sending my gratitude and best wishes. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy belated birthday, Carol! Wishing you strength, Love and light. Lovely post! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words and blessings, Pamela. Sending my best wishes to you. ❤
LikeLike