Sweet Serendipity

Serendipity is a happy surprise
It is feeling something you did not expect
An exquisite moment that takes your breath away
So sweet that words completely fail you
So real that it warms your heart and thrills your mind
So immense that it fills your body with delight.

This moment takes me back many years in my life
I was 5 years old... getting ready for my aunt's wedding.
I was the flower girl for the wedding
All gussied up in a beautiful pale gold taffeta gown
My aunt was handing me my flower basket
And I asked her, "How will I know when love is real?"
She said, "You will feel it in your heart."
Then, she handed me a lovely gift box
And said, "Open this now, this is for you to wear today."
I opened the box and within it was a lovely necklace
With a single delicate pearl founded in a gold heart
My aunt placed this lovely necklace around my neck
Then, she brought out a poem inscribed on parchment paper
She said, "You may not understand this right now,
But, I want you to have this and keep it
You will understand it someday
When you begin to have moments in your life
That are pearls of great price.
The price will be that you enjoy and treasure each moment."

I have never forgotten her words to me that day.
And, this poem remains very special to me...

Barter

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children's faces looking up,
Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstacy
Give all you have been, or could be.

~ Sara Teasdale

This poem... has remained strong and sweet in my heart
Ever since the day my aunt gave it to me and read it to me
I truly believe it is the only way to live and live fully.

"When your heart speaks, take good notes." ~ Judith Campbell

"The beginning is the most important part of the work."
~ Plato, 5th century Greek philosopher, from "The Republic"

"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive at where we started
And to know the place for the first time."
~ T. S. Elliot

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller

"Be as a page ~ That aches for a word ~ Which speaks on a theme ~ That is timeless."
~ Neil Diamond, "Be"