ninibink's blog: "Reflections on Life"

This is a topic dear to my heart...the elderly...as well as children...Please read and repost! Imagine someone living in a house for 50 years, watching their children grow up and move away, and seeing the neighborhood around them deteriorate.Now picture that person barricaded in their own home at night, isolated, and afraid to go out, terrified of the gangs, the junkies and the criminals outside. Now imagine that this person is your own grandmother. The elderly are often the victims of crimes, in part because they usually live alone and are seen as easy targets for scam artists, burglars, and other predators. Columbus Police Officer Amy Welsh works third shift and has seen her share of seniors being victimized. She began to notice a pattern to the burglaries in which the elderly were targeted because of poorly lit back and side areas of their homes. She suggested to them to install a motion security light, maybe they’d be a little safer. They just looked at her...these people are on fixed and very limited incomes and there is no way they could afford to do this. The fear in these victims was just phenomenal.So she and her husband, Tim,a Columbus Police officer also,began installing motion sensor security lights for senior citizens on their own time and their own funds. Nana’s Night Lights was born. The Welshes and several other volunteers—also police officers—have installed 275 lights.Our officers also educate Senior Citizens on how to better protect themselves.Lights can only do so much

~ Waking from the Darkness ~ Out from the shadows emerges a woman who for so long found comfort in the darkness. It was lonely. She was scared. No, it wasnt meant to be that way, but it happened. The two hearts that once beat as one, began to lose its rhythm. Denial set in. Distance was created. Although her body ached for comfort and pleasure She knew not how to please him. Numbness set in. Life went on. Growing further and further apart, the bond was broken. What once was, no longer is. Its over. Life goes on. PRB

"To You My Friend" You entered my life at a time when I was lost and alone; bewildered and uncertain; afraid and unsettled; depressed and disgusted. You extended your hand and listened to my story. You were not judgmental you understood. I was at a low period in my life. You smiled and comforted me. Since then, you have been there for me when I needed to hear a fresh outlook. When I was searching for a purpose. You opened up to me, let me into your world. I was fascinated by your energy, your zest for life. You gave me hope. I walked away with less despair, and a feeling of renewal. You make me want to be more, to reconnect with life. Each time we talk, I feel rejuvenated and excited about the world around me. I had forgotten how nice it really is, how much there is to explore and learn. You brought a new sense of purpose to my life, a desire to be more, see more and enjoy more. You are helping bring back a spark in my life that I thought was extinguished. You make my heart smile. Thank you, my friend. PRB

"Letting Go" When sorrow overcomes you, And you have no place to fall; My arms outstretched to hold you, I'm someone you can call. I've been down this road so many times, The pain it cuts so deep; One thing I have learned my friend, It sometimes helps to weep. The days go by, the nights are long, There's an aching in your heart; The sadness fills the emptiness, It's hard to be apart. There is no comfort to be found, The pain is still too new; You look, you search, but nothing helps... It's something you must go through. You close your eyes, the curtain falls, The dreams come rushing in; Sometimes it helps to be alone, Especially at the end. We go on to say our last goodbyes, Our words are hard to find; But when there's no one else to comfort you, I'll be the shadow right behind... PRB

Life and Loss We enter this world, helpless and vulnerable and we will most likely leave it in the same manner. From the moment we are conceived, our physical clock begins ticking and we know not when or how it will stop. The space in between birth and death we call life. How do we face death? Maybe the question should be how do we deal with loss? Each of us must at some point in our lives deal with it. It could be a natural thing, a job, a friendship, a marriage, a dream, a thought, a loved one. Most losses, although difficult to let go of at the time, are usually short term upsets in our lives. We can learn about it, accept it, embrace it, grieve it, then move on... mainly because when things are put in perspective, some things just arent that important. The loss that is most difficult to move past is that of a loved one. In my lifetime, I have been blessed to have many wonderful people participate in my life. Many of them have made a lasting impression, a major impact on me. Some of them were only in my life for a short time, others an entire lifetime. The amount of time you spend with someone is of no significance... it is the quality of those meetings that does. Somehow, the attitude of those that make an impact on us becomes a part of us. Similar to osmosis. Getting back to loss. We hold on because we fear letting go. We fear that letting go means that we no longer care, that it will diminish our feelings toward that person. In fact, letting go permits us to expand our senses and gives us the ability to hold on in a different form. Those we care about are ALWAYS with us. They have already made an impact on our lives and so it remains. Yes, we may miss the physical contact, the conversations, the excitement of being with them. Our bodies are just the encasement for our spirit, our heart and soul. The significant part of each of us lies within. Much like receiving a beautifully wrapped present. As beautiful as the wrapping and trim may appear, the true gift is on the inside. The same with our relationships. We can appreciate and enjoy our friends/loved ones---but what we truly possess is the feeling that person has given us. Feelings are emotions and attitudes---and our contact with every person we meet evokes these feelings. It is what either draws us closer, or pushes us away. Those that push us away also impart some value. They make us aware of what/who makes us uncomfortable and what/who we want to avoid. Those that draw us closer create something within us that brings us back again and again. No one wants to let go of that feeling. In reality...it is when those feelings overcome us and we let them go--- we are sharing a part of us---as well as a part of those who gave us those feelings to begin with. So in a sense letting go isnt a bad thing ---difficult at times, yes, but it is a way of keeping someone we care about alive. As we face difficult times, when we have to prepare to say goodbye to someone dear to us I pray that we can do it gracefully. We all have a process that we have to go through and for each of us it is different. Maybe we can make that process a little easier by remembering that the part of that person that has significance is still with us. The body is at rest and the soul has gone on to a place that only the heavens know. So my friend, take some time to remember, to cry, to smile--- but dont waste too much time doing that. Letting go will help you to get closer to the person you loved and allow you to become a part of that person in a new and exciting way.

What is LOVE? Can it be defined? Is it something that is made up of fragments of our imagination? Is it physical? Is it real? What is it to you? LOVE is expressed by many, in various forms. It can be stated in words, by a touch, by an action, by a look. LOVE can be described as overwhelming, daunting, exciting, passionate, everlasting. It can bring pleasure; and it can bring pain. LOVE is not something that is meant to be held back, but to be shared. It does nothing if it is not given freely, openly and without expectations in return. LOVE can be powerful. It can be weak. It can move mountains, it can crush a soul. LOVE is meant to be felt with every portion of our being. It is a state of ecstasy if shared with the right person. LOVE is a feeling we can show easily, but often find it hard to hide. LOVE is gentle, it is kind. LOVE is good. When LOVE finds its way to your heart, be sure to nurture it, console it, protect it, share it, embrace it. For once LOVE becomes a part of you…it is in your heart…and hearts can be broken. Therefore…unless you are willing to LOVE and be LOVED…don't offer yourself to anyone…or someone will be hurt. And LOVE is not meant to hurt.

Come to me my Love. Take my hand. Let us Explore the Possibilities of what can be. If it is Not meant to be…it will fizzle and Die on its own. You said you Don't want to have a relationship over a cup of Coffee. I don't want one over a glass of Beer. I need you. my Body aches for you. you have awakened a Part of me that I wanted to lay to Rest… because it would be too Painful for me to have Desires and no longer have the Means to fulfill them. Don't play with my Emotions… I am FRAGILE. When I Offer Myself, my Love, my Life… I want to know it means SOMETHING to you. that you will Nurture it… Protect it… Love it… and Never let it go. It takes Time… Patience… Understanding… Compassion… Flexibility… Compromise. I am willing to Share my life with You…UNCONDITIONALLY. I don't Ask for much… I don't have Much to give… only ME. am I Enough? prb

Cyberspace… A monitor, a keyboard, the internet. The makings of uncertainty. You meet, you chat, you listen…but do you hear? We talk of things that are close to our heart, of trivial matters, of life in general. There is a safety net. You can be sitting in a room, looking the worst you have ever looked in your life. You post photos that highlight your best features, the way you want the world to recognize you. You puff, embellish, exaggerate. You lie, joke, laugh, cry. You let someone into your world. Once they enter, you have the opportunity to become creative, deceitful or real. Hearts are broken, others mended. Friendships are made, others are dissolved. Are you honest? Sincere? Who you say you are? If not, then who the hell are you? what do you want? Cyberspace…a place for lonely hearts, entrepreneurs, crushes, liars, happy times, degenerates, friends, lovers… do YOU have a name? prb

I sat alone and watched the movement around me. I wondered how some people can be so 'busy' all the time And others barely get through each day. The holidays are approaching, everything is so festive. As I walked down the street to the local market, I passed by an elderly woman, struggling to get one foot in front of the other. Her face was marked with signs of hardship, she looked confused, a bit scared. She kept her head bowed, her destination focused. I wondered what kind of life she had. Did she know where she was? Had the ugly head of Alzheimer's become a part of her small world? Did she have family? Friends? Was she successful? Happy? Content? Did anyone come to visit her, did anyone care? I was saddened as some young kids rushed past her, nearly knocking her down. She stopped momentarily, then continued on…as if it were a routine she became used to. How sad. They didn't even notice her. How many of us will become shadows in the streets as we get older? Who will care? What will our lives be like when the clock turns to an age we could only imagine in our minds? Let's hope we can survive. Find a reason to go on. Remember, we all will reach that point…someday. How will we manage? Just thoughts...passing in the night...

Reflections and Revelations One day, the memory fades…something is wrong… You look up and see people, but not sure of who they are. A reflection in the mirror looks like a picture that came to life. How can that be? Who is that woman? When did her hair turn white? Who are you? My mind doesn't remember, but my eyes see something familiar. I want to go home! But where is it? I linger in the past, it is my comfort zone. Maybe later I will remember now. Tomorrow is meaningless, for in a short time, I won't remember it. All I have is now, here, but just for the moment. Don't ask me questions, I don't have the answers you want. I'm sorry I don't remember that I just told you that, Or that I need to be somewhere else. Forgive me if I embarrass you, but I want to communicate in the way I know how. Don't laugh at me. Don't make me cry. I don't know what to think, or even how. One day, you will look into my eyes, and not find me. I will have gone on to a different place. Don't think I don't hear you, or like you… I am just lost inside myself, searching for a way out. I will be an empty shell, moving about in society until my body finds its place. I hear you. I remember things that once were important to me, but not you. Maybe if I can be alone with my thoughts, they would make some sense. Tomorrow I will be even further away, but know I care. I am walking outside of my body, searching for answers…. But somehow, there aren't any. I don't want to be a burden to you, let me die. My life is somewhere else, it is like being in a foreign land. I want to lay down and rest, I want something familiar to me. I am so confused, I can't even do simple things. I find pleasures in small things, much like a child…don't hurt me. If I want to reach out and touch your hand, please take it. I feel less frightened when you do, and I am proud that you are there for me. I won't disrupt your time…just make sure that I am ok, and that I have you to count on. Remember I love you, and always will…for in my mind…everything is eternal. PRB (Dedicated to my Beloved Mother Anna, who departed this life 12-7-02 to go on to a place that she lived but couldn't reach due to Alzheimer's Disease…may your body and soul rest in peace!)