Birthday Poem

At 73
I don't want to cut down
a living Christmas Tree.

I want the tree
left in its natural habitat
to release oxygen into the air,
and help fight global warming
and climate change.


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My Birthday Eve

On the eve of my 73rd birthday,
I contemplate the passing year,
while looking forward
to a New Year
and a new decade.

What will the New Year bring?
What blessing will the new decade bestow?
I don't know,
so I will move forward
with faith and confidence
in the All-Glorious Lord!

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Write On @ Writing.Com!

Contemplating September

I contemplate September,
the birthday of writing.com
and I wonder
what other joys
that month will hold.


I also posted this in the journal, Writing in Snow, under the folder  Awardicon Items, in my writing.,com portfolio. Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

On the Eve of My Birthday

On the eve of my 71st birthday, 

I contemplate the last five years, 

And my plans 

To visit Mama's grave 

On my December 24. 

On the eve of my birthday, 

I think about how much 

I miss Mama, 

How much I miss celebrating 

My birthday 

With her. 

On the even if my birthday, 

I sigh 

When I think about 

Commemorating 

My birthday 

At her grave. 

Happy Birthday Writing.com

Happy 17th Birthday, Writing.com. 

September is a joy filled month 

Of celebrating seventeen years 

Full of writing, reviewing, and learning. 

It's Sunday: A Poem

Jamál (Beauty), 7 Mulk (Dominion), 173 BE - Sunday, February 12, 2017 CE about 9:09 AM Pacific Standard Time. 

It's Sunday, 

February 12, 2017, 

President Abraham Lincoln's 

208 birthday: 

Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln. 

It's Sunday, 

The first day of a new week, 

A day that brings back memories 

From my childhood. 

It's Sunday, 

A good day to 

Drink coffee 

And eat chocolate. 

It's Sunday, 

A beautiful day 

In Las Vegas. 

Seven Days and Counting

Jalál (Glory) 7 Masá’il (Questions), 173 BE - Saturday, December 17, 2016 AD about 1:25 PM Pacific Standard Time 

Seven days and counting not to Christmas, but to my birthday. On Saturday, December 24, I will celebrate my 70th birthday. I have no plans to do anything except stay home and write or sing Happy Birthday to myself. I won't be alone because I have a roommate. I don't think we'll make a big deal of my birthday. I'm not sure I want to make a big deal of it. 

I'm not precisely sure how I feel about turning seventy years old. It isn't like I've been seventy years old before. I usually don't make a great event of any of my birthdays.  Perhaps I'll revise my bucket list, after all I don't know how many more years I have on this world. I would like to live to be at least one hundred years old; however, I know that the unexpected happens and a person never really knows how long they will be on this plane of existence. 

My mother wanted to live to be one hundred, but she died in 2012 at the age of 91. She lived a good life up until the last couple of years of her life. Mom died of Alzheimer's disease which stole all her joy of living and her memory. The last few months of her life was hard on her and the entire family.  I miss Mama so much. I would have liked to have celebrated my 70th birthday with her. I celebrated 65 birthdays with Mama, she died only a few weeks before my 66th birthday. I won't celebrate alone this year, but I won't celebrate it with Mama. 

The Ides of April Approaches

Fidal (Grace), 5 Jalál (Glory), 173 BE - Tuesday, April 12, 2016 about 3:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time

It's not halfway through April, so it isn't the Ides of April yet. Friday, April 15, is the ides of the month. I'm thinking about the middle of the month because either April 15 or 16 is someone's birthday. I think it's one of my siblings birthday, but I'm not sure which one. It could either be the birthday of my sister or one of my brothers. Unless it is my Grandmother's birthday. I know it's not my Mother's or my Grandfather's birthday.

My mother was born of March 19 and my Grandfather (my mother's father) on November 29. At one time I didn't worry about wishing my sibling a Happy Birthday, but since I turned 69 years old, on December 24, 2015, it seems more important to wish them happiness on their birthday. I tried to call my sister, but her line is busy, so I'll have to wait until later today or in the morning to call her. However, I'm thinking her birthday is in June while one brother was born in August. Oh well, I'll figure out whose birthday it is before April 15.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

'Idal (Justice), 2 Alá’ (Lofitines), 172 BE - Wednesday, March 2, 2016 about 1:06 PM Pacific Standard Time

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Did you write a story about a goose?

I know you wrote about green eggs and ham
because I read about Sam I am.

Today, March 2, is the 112 birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, known to all of us who read his wonderful stories in rhyme as Dr. Seuss. My favorite book by Dr. Seuss is Green Eggs and Ham.

Thankful Thursday: A Thankful Thursday Birthday

Istijlal (Majesty), 13 Masá’il (Questions), 172 BE - Thursday, December 24, 2015 about 6:30 AM Pacific Standard Time

Today, I am 69 years young.

I was born on Tuesday, December 24, 1946 at eleven minutes before midnight. Today, I am thankful that I was born on Christmas Eve. I haven't always been thankful for my birthday. When I was younger, I wished my birthday was some other month besides December. Sometimes it is difficult to realize that a holiday birthday is a blessing.

During the holiday season it is difficult to find things to be thankful for. This is a hectic time of year with stress levels and irritation rising. Christmas Eve is the day last minute Christmas shoppers crowd the streets, the malls, and other stores. People are hurrying to buy that last minute gift to put under the tree. I do not drive on Christmas Eve because of the traffic. I do not go shopping on Christmas Eve because of the crowded malls and stores. I stay home on Christmas Eve unless someone else is picking me up and doing the driving.

01. I am thankful that Christmas Eve is my birthday.
02. I am thankful that I stay home on Christmas Eve.
03. I am thankful that I no longer celebrate Christmas.
04. I am thankful that Christ was born into this world.
05. I am thankful for the birthday cards I receive.
06. I am thankful for the Christmas cards I receive.
07. I am thankful for the memories of happy Christmases from my childhood.
08. I am thankful for the beautiful Christmas songs.
09. I am thankful for the parodies of Christmas songs.
10. I am thankful for the dress I purchased on Wednesday with a Christmas tree on the front.

Even though I do not celebrate Christmas, there are aspects of the holiday I enjoy. I enjoy listening to Christmas songs and carols, especially those that my Grandmother and Grandfather liked. I enjoy some of the Christmas specials, especially those I remember watching with my mother. Today and tomorrow I will stay at home, when I do go outside my apartment it will be for a short walk and to wish neighbors a Happy Holiday or Merry Christmas (depending on the winter holiday they celebrate).

Ten Things I need to do Before December 24, 2015

Fidal (Grace), 4 Masá’il (Questions), 172 BE - Tuesday, December 15, 2015 about 10:08 AM Pacific Standard Time

On December 24, I will be 69 years old. There are at least ten things I have to do before I officially turn one year older. A couple of those things I have put off doing for a while, but I cannot put them off any longer. Therefore, I am listing everything I need to accomplish before my birthday next week.

01. Purchase black cartridge for my Canon MG2520 printer.
02. Mail package containing tablecloth my mother painted to my brother in Colorado.
03. Mail package containing tablecloth my mother painted to my brother in San Diego.
04. Clean out red storage container sitting to the right of the computer desk.
05. Put my mattress and box springs on my bed frame.
06. Mail card to friend in Oklahoma.
07. Mail cards to writing.com friends.
08. Pick up senior commodities.
09. Order back and knee braces.
10. Purchase myself a birthday present.

December Birthday Wish

'Idal (Justice), 17 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Wednesday, December 9, 2015 about 3:57 PM Pacific Standard Time

My birthday approaches,
I will be another year older
and I hope another year wiser.

I would like a dream catcher
to hang above my bed;
I could either tell my family
or purchase it myself.

Now that I have a bed,
a box springs,
and a mattress
I only need a dream catcher
to make my bedroom
complete.

This coming week,
I have to unpack the sheets
I brought with me
and hope
they fit the bed.

I guess I could ask
my family for sheets,
but I think I would rather
have a dream catcher.

Another Birthday Approaches

'Idal (Justice), 10 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Wednesday, December 2, 2015 about 4:13 PM Pacific Standard Time

Another birthday approaches, not silently on cats feet, but singing Christmas songs from my childhood. December always brings back memories from growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Some memories are welcome and some I would just as soon forget. The problem with forgetting the bad memories is that I might forget the good ones as well. Since I don't want to forget the good memories, I will deal with the bad ones.

I have found, that the best way to deal with bad memories is to write about them. Most of the time I make pen and paper journal entries about these memories. However, sometime I write them into short stories or poems. I prefer short stories or journal entries because it is easier to deal with these memories in that way.

At 67 My Birthday Gratitude List

Fiḍál (Grace), 13 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Tuesday, December 24, 2013 about 6:41 am Pacific Standard Time

 Since I am 67 years old today, I decided not to wait until Thursday to post my gratitude list.

Today I am thankful...

1. ...that, several years ago, I accepted the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. My greatest joy each day is intoning the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah.
2. ...that I have family that is worried about my spiritual, material, and physical welfare.
3. ...that I have an internet connection and provider so that I can access the Baha'i Scriptures online at anytime of the day or night.
4. ...for coffee and the memories of my Grandpa Newland drinking a cup brings to mind.
5. ...for the large can of chilli and beans I received when I picked up my monthly food allotment a couple of weeks ago. I can now have chilli and crackers on Christmas day.
6. ...for the 66 years I was able to have my mother in my life and watch her joy when she read or listened to someone read from the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah.
7. ...that I have a paid membership to writing.com, with a portfolio to hold my poems and stories.
8. ...that I live in Las Vegas and can go outside to see the snow capped peak of Mount Charleston.
9. ...that I survived 67 years.

I know that I normally have ten things to be thankful for, but I think that nine things on my birthday is a good list.

Two Days and Counting

Jamál (Beauty), 11 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Sunday, December 24, 2013 about 8:24 am Pacific Standard Time

In two day, on December 24, 2013, I will be 67 years old young. I was born on December 24, 1946 at eleven minutes before midnight. I am the oldest of four children and I have two brothers and one sister. Neither of my  parents are still alive.

I'm not sure whether I'm dreading looking forward to my birthday. I could be looking forward dreading my birthday, which would explain the way I feel this morning. I would like to live to be 100; however, my health problems will influence not only how much longer I live, but how well I live those years.

I'm not sure what I can do about my health at this point in my life. However, I'm going to attempt to do something about them. I have two doctor's appointments scheduled for 2014 and at that time I will find out what I can do. I'm also going to join a gym where I can get more exercise. I will also attempt to change my eating habits. The only other thing I can do is say healing prayers.

Writing this has helped my mood, so I guess I should do a little more writing in 2014 as well. Right now, my daily word could goal is between 1,500 to 2,000 words. I put it at that range because I become frustrated when I don't achieve this goal and frustration leads to stress. I intend to give myself three months to determine if I can meet or exceed the 2,000 words on a regular basis. If I exceed the 2,000 words then I will raise the range on March 21, 2014.

Twentry-three days to go

Jamál (Beauty), 9 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Sunday, December 1, 2013 about 9:18 am Pacific Standard Time

In twenty-three days, I will be sixty-seven years old or perhaps I should say sixty-seven years young. However, I word it I will be celebrating another birthday. It is a birthday I both look forward to and dread. I look forward to it because it means I am still alive and writing. I would say kicking, but at may age kicking anything can be dangerous because I could break a toe or fall and hurt myself.

As anyone reading this entry can see, my sense of humor is still going weird and strong. The question arises, "Why am I dreading this birthday?" The answer is easy, this is my second birthday without Mom present in my life. I almost wrote this is my first birthday without her present; however, Mom died on November 29, 2012, so last year was my first birthday without her in my life. For some reason, I forgot my 2012 birthday.

Since I forgot my 2012 birthday, does that mean I can tell everyone I am only sixty-six years old? I doubt if that would work, but it could be a conversations started. I do not think I need any conversation starters because lately I have found myself with a lot say, but no one to say it to. Since I have no one to talk to my blog entries may be getting longer this month.

Feeling better on a lazy Sunday

Jamál (Beauty), 9 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) - Sunday, March 10, 2013 about 1:15 P.M. Pacific Time

It is Sunday afternoon and I am feeling better then I felt this morning or yesterday. I was in a mental fog all day Saturday, I was depressed and did not accomplish much. This afternoon, the fog has lifted; the problem is that I do not know what caused the problem.  All though, it could be the fact that I am still in mourning for my mother.

I miss Mom so much and now that spring is arriving the feeling has increased. Mom's 92nd birthday will be March 19. I suspect that is the problem, I cannot celebrate it with her this year and I am not sure how I am going to celebrate the day or her life. The are certain days and seasons that seem to affect me more then others.

Spring was Mom's favorite season. Mom liked the sunshine, the flowers, and the warmer temperatures. Mom enjoyed going out to eat on her birthday. Mom enjoyed going to poetry readings, the nineteen-day Feasts, and Holy Day commemorations. Mom enjoyed getting in the car and riding around Las Vegas.

As I said, I am feeling better and the mental fog that concealed yesterday and this morning is gone. I want to cry and I want to eat strawberry pie. Strawberry pie was Mom's favorite desert. Mom also liked fried ice cream. I should eat one of Mom's favorite deserts on her birthday and then visit her grave.

Day Six without Mama

Kamál (Perfection), 12 Qawl (Speech), 169 BE – Tuesday, December 4, 2012 6:30 AM Pacific Time

I count the days Mom has been gone. This is day six without her. This morning I woke up listening for her voice calling my name. Mom’s soul passed into paradise on the morning of Thursday, November 29, 2012. I do not know the precise time, but I do know it was later in the morning.

On the morning of Friday, November 30, 2012, the company that provided them picked up the oxygen compressor, wheelchairs, walker, and hospital bed. Then on Friday afternoon, we planned the funeral, which will occur on Thursday, December 6. Perhaps then, the reality of the situation will hit me.

Day six without Mama, I go through periods of numbness and tears. I wake up at night listening for her voice or for the sound of the oxygen compressor echoing through the house. I wonder what I will do will out her and then I realize that I will survive. My mother survived her birth. My mother gave birth to survivors. I am my mother’s daughter and I will survive.

Day six without Mama and I remember that this will be the first birthday I celebrate without her. I was born on December 24, 1946; on December 24, 2012, I will be 66 years old. I will celebrate my birthday because birthdays are celebrations or commemorations of joyful exuberance or at least without tears. I miss Mama.

Monday Mumblings: On My Mother’s 91st birthday

Kamál (Perfection), 18 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Monday, March 19, 2012 about 3:30 PM Pacific Time

Today my mother is 91 years old. Mom was born on a farm in Oklahoma in 1921. Over the years, Mom told us some thing about her life as a child and a young woman. I have thought about the information she gave my sibling and me before the Alzheimer’s began to steal her memory.

When my mother was born, the only person in the nearest town to have a car was the doctor. After the doctor delivered my mother, he told my grandparent that because Mom was so small she wouldn’t live. She lived.

The doctor didn’t weigh Mom when she was born. When my grandparents took her into town some weeks after her birth, the doctor weighed her and she weight only about 3 lbs.

As a child, Mom went to a one-room schoolhouse. She eventually graduated from high school.

Mom met and married my father. I’m not sure where they met because I didn’t ask her and now I wish I had ask. Anyway, my dad was in the Army Air Core during World War II and stationed in Las Vegas at the air force base. During that time, Mom worked as a maid at what is now University Medical Center. After the war, Mom and Dad moved back to Blackwell, Oklahoma, where I was born.

Mom later moved back to Las Vegas, and in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s she worked at the Show Boat Hotel Casino on Boulder Highway.

My Mother’s birthday is Tomorrow

Jamál (Beauty), 17 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 168 BE – Sunday, March 18, 2012 About 4:30 PM Pacific Time

On March 19, 2012, my mother turns 91. In the morning, Mom will go to the Adult Daycare center. She will return home around 4:00 PM. Mom and I have not discussed her birthday because I am not sure how to bring up the subject.

When we do discuss Mom’s age, which is not very often, she does not think she is 90 years old. I have no idea how old Mom thinks she is and I prefer not to discuss age with her. Mom used to enjoy her birthdays and she always acknowledged her age.

Before the Alzheimer’s disease, Mom did not let age bother her. I learned from my mother that age was just a number and something you accepted. I learned to celebrate the passing years from my mother’s actions on her birthdays.

Now she does not remember how old she is and when we discuss her age she gets angry when I mention her true age, so I do not mention it any more. Mom used to talk about living to be 100 years old, now she does not bring up birthdays or age. I do not think Mom realizes I am 65.

The Alzheimer’s disease has caused a great deal of changes in our lives. I miss Mom being enthusiastic about up coming birthdays because she always said what she wanted and enjoyed celebrating her day.