I’ve teeth that stick out just a little too far

I’ve marks on my body where I’ve gathered scars

I’ve parts of my person that wobble and shake

I’ve imperfect skin on my imperfect face

My hair’s hard to manage - it’s coarse and it’s thick

I’ve stripes on my waist, on my belly and hips

I’ve lines on my forehead and some round my eyes

I’ve dimples and dents that now live on my thighs

And I used to hide, I got used to concealing

I knew all my angles and how I should breathe in

But all of the scars are the times I’ve derailed

And got back on track and lived, telling the tale

The lines on my forehead and those round my eyes

Tell the stories of times that I’ve laughed ‘til I cried

And all of the inches and stripes on my hips

Are from carrying, growing and birthing my kids

My dimply thighs that all wobble and shake

Are the times I’ve said yes to the chocolate and cake

The times I’ve decided a moment means more

Than hiding and shrinking like I’ve done before

See I’m happy and healthy and that is what matters

Not whether I’m scarred for I’m thinner or fatter

‘Cause life is a rollercoaster to ride on

It’s here for us all to enjoy not to hide from

It isn’t a dress size or holiday snap

But moments in time that we’ll never get back

So let’s not spend moments that we can’t replace

Concerned with our bodies, our hair and our face

And let us embrace all the life that we’ve lived

Our bodies are breathing - and that is a gift

*******

Becky Hemsley 2022

 

SOOOO true!!!

 

 

Auntie Rhoda Pepito

 At 3:08 this morning, December 6, 2024, i received a message from my cousin Lisa Pepito Caronongan that her mom, my Auntie Rhoda, my Dad's sister, had passed. She had been on dialysis for many years and although I'm glad she's no longer suffering, i will miss her. i had planned to see her in February 2025 before Dan and I would fly back to the States, but God had other plans. 

Now that i'm almost 70, more and more people whom we knew personally are passing on. I know that's the pattern of our life here on earth, but it doesn't make it easy for those of us who are left behind.

Our biggest comfort, however, is that they are now whole and are with the Lord Jesus. What a wonderful reunion Auntie Rhoda must have had with her parents, especially her father who died when she was only 2, and my Dad! It is also a great comfort and encouragement to know that, as Christians, we WILL see them again someday when it's our turn to leave this earth and be with our Lord and Savior forever. 

The Twelve Days of CHRISTmas

 

Psalm 23:4