BLOG HOP: Thanks for Love

November 15-18:
Title: Thanks for Love.
Topic: What is the most thoughtful thing a loved one has done for you?


BLOG HOP: Thanks For Love


I grew up with the most loving, caring and thoughtful parents, for whom I am very thankful and grateful.  One of the most thoughtful, loving things that my father did for me, among so many other things, was taking the time out of his very busy schedule of being a doctor to share with me, as a young child , in a very extensive, personal and individual way the things that he loved. He was especially enthusiastic about sharing with me about great literature, nature and poetry. 


In the Foreword of my book, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems, I write, When I think about how this book came to be and how it finally arrived to you the reader, I think of the words of the song "The Long and Winding Road". 
Though most of the poems in this book were written within a span of six months (Feb 2007-Aug 2007), they've all been in the making from very early in my life.  My mother gave me a passionate love for reading and writing, and my father gave me an appreciation for poetry and great literature, especially that of African-American origin. As a pre-teen and teenager, he would often assign me certain books that he thought I needed to read, then quiz me on them.  One of our favorites to discuss was Great Expectations by Charles Dickens I was so proud to be able to answer all of his questions.  And, he seemed very pleased that I could do so.  I was very familiar with most of the classics long before I had them as required reading in school.

When I was very young, my father would recite poetry to me as he was shaving and getting ready for work.  I would sit on the side of the sink,  completely fascinated with the rhythm and flow of the words.  As I got older, I was also very much in awe of the fact that he had memorized such long pieces of poetry, because my own memorization skills were/are sorely lacking !!! 


My father also loved/loves nature.  He would regularly take out the time to give me "lessons" on all of the wildlife, trees, flowers and plants that surrounded our home. 
I , especially, loved looking out of the large pane glass window in our den as he would point and describe all of the array of birds that would gather on our front lawn. One of my fondest memories with my Dad, out of SO many, is collecting leaves together for a leaf project in high school. He lovingly
and patiently took the time to explain to me all kinds of different facts about the trees and leaves.  We spent hours just walking around and taking in the wonders of nature. Of course, I got a 100 on the project and was so pleased to bring it back to let my Dad see.!   We were ,both, very pleased.  It is a memory that I hold dear and will never forget.  To this day, I have a very special appreciation for the beautiful world around us, that so many take for granted.  I am so thankful to my father for this ! 

November has been designated as "I'm So Thankful" Month ! I am SO thankful for having two wonderful, loving parents.. and an especially extraordinary Dad !



          THANKS FOR THE LOVE!


 

These poems and many more can be found in my book Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life In Poems

Both books available on Amazon :

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON:

 http://tinyurl.com/reflections-pnd

 http://tinyurl.com/magnolia-mem-pnd

****   ATTENTION - GIVE-A-WAY  ****

PLEASE COMMENT for a chance to WIN !!!!
ONE lucky recipient will receive.....

A Mississippi Magnolia calendar (12 months of poems)

and a set of hand painted magnolia print note-cards

A random number will be chosen and that comment/individual 

will receive the 2 items.

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Please visit all of the other stops on the BLOG HOP: Thanks for Love !

 http://candlelightreads.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-candle-light-blog-hops-click_22.html