Grateful

In October as each Thanksgiving nears, I reflect on the past year, I have developed a little ritual that I perform to add some cheer. Making a list of people who have gone out of their way to be kind, I contact each one of them to let them know they’re on my mind. Thanking them for their kindness provided over the last year to me, Acknowledging the importance, taking this season for the opportunity. In the past I’ve called a single mother who had recently lost her only son, Being by herself at Thanksgiving, no family, I feared she’d come undone. She lived a long distance from me, so I placed a call to her on the phone, It was perfect timing, she was at home watching Television all alone. I explained my reflection and how grateful I was to have her in my life, She wept and said I’d eased the pain, from her heart I’d removed a knife. A lonely work associate but for me all it took was time to make a simple call, Whispering, she said I had changed her mind, she’d stay in it for the long haul. Each year I reflect choosing three people to place on my list, usually not a group, This year I’ve changed that, I am grateful to the wonderful poets of Poetry Soup. **I would like to dedicate this poem to the poets of Poetry Soup who have been so kind and have welcomed me to their fold. I am grateful for your positive words and fellowship.** Written by Lee Ramage September 10, 2011 For Carol Brown’s contest Pieces of paper... a poet’s heart Won 1st Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Song Avatar
September 20, 2011 at 3:13 AM
There he is folks, Lee, at the top of the food chain today!!! Congrats for one of my new favorite writes!! I knew goodness would win!! Hugs and high fives!! Gwendolen
Ramage Avatar
September 20, 2011 at 8:22 AM
Thanks Gwendolen, appreciate the comments but its "she" at top of food chain today! thanks Lee
Dietrich Avatar
September 20, 2011 at 1:37 AM
Hey, I see it now, finally looking at the contest list. So you DID share a spot with me and maybe ten others. hahaha. BUT this is wELL deserved my friend, as I knew you would get a win with it! Luv, Andrea
Ramage Avatar
September 20, 2011 at 8:22 AM
Thanks Andrea... off to work at hospice today, have a good one! lee
Taylor Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Congrats on 1st Place, Lee. Awesome piece. Nice going. luv Ralph
Ramage Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Thanks Ralph, as always, you are very kind. Lee
La France Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 4:03 PM
My compliments on a first place win, Lee, and it is wonderful to share it with you. Your poem is a reminder for us to look beyond ourselves, now regarding lists, I am terrible with lists, they get so long, I am doomed to failure, I tend to write on fragments of paper and then later try to figure out why I wrote that, you should see the top of my desk, but I love every single paper~~
Ramage Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 6:39 PM
The honour is all mine. It shows you love your work, they say cluttered desk, uncluttered mind. Well done on your wonderful win. A great poem, I really enjoyed it so much. Lee
Babcock Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 1:18 PM
LEE my congratulations to you on your first place win on Carol's contest. Well deserved with this wonderful entry. God Bless Phyl
Ramage Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 6:39 PM
Thanks so much. lee
Sweetheart Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 10:35 AM
CONGRATS LEE ON A GREAT FIRST PLACE WIN.. WITH WONDERFUL ENTRY LUV...
Ramage Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Thanks Linda-Marie, much appreciated, thank you for you welcoming words when I joined. Lee
Susan Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 10:23 AM
you are such a dear man! How wonderful that you take the time to do this for others. i am personally thanking you. and a second thank you for your comments on my poems. congratulations on your win. this is fantastic!
Susan Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 6:31 PM
oh! so sorry! i didn't know. please forgive my faux pas!
Ramage Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Thanks Susan, but I am actually a woman. Thank you for your very, very kind comments. Your comments mean the world to me. Lee
Johnson Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 9:06 AM
Congratulations Lee on your big win and your lovely poem. You are a very kind soul. Love, Joyce
Brown Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 7:36 AM
Congratulations on your placement in my contest Lee. Love, Carol
Ramage Avatar
September 19, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Carol, I am so surprised, this is such an honour. Thank you so much for this win. Much appreciated, however every word I said in my poem was truth and I meant it. Love Lee
Song Avatar
September 18, 2011 at 7:58 PM
You are simply living by the golden rule...there is much to be said of someone who follows Christ's words. You are simply the best! Your poetry has meaning and brings joy to my heart! This one is a real winner for me. I will share it with my family on Turkey Day. Gwendolen
Ramage Avatar
September 18, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Thanks Gwendolen for your kind words. Much appreciated. lee
Falotico Avatar
September 18, 2011 at 9:15 AM
ahhh very nice my poet friend...all those sweet comments made my morning.. always Michael
Ramage Avatar
September 18, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Thanks Michael. lee
Devonshire Avatar
September 12, 2011 at 2:18 AM
Dear Lee, we are lucky to have you sharing your work with us. I just know you made that woman's day with a phone call while she was feeling lonely. You might have even saved her life. Spending holidays in an empty house is the worst part of living alone. Best wishes in Carol's contest! And thanks for your encouragement. Love, Carolyn
Ramage Avatar
September 13, 2011 at 9:39 PM
Thank you Carolyn, those are very nice things to say. I have found when I call my "3" people, they are usually overjoyed and so appreciative, this call to this associate was just so touching, I had no idea how bad she was feeling. Take care, my thoughts are with you. Again, if I can help please contact me via soup mail. Love Lee
Brown Avatar
September 11, 2011 at 8:51 AM
Thank you for supporting my contest Lee. Love, Carol
Ramage Avatar
September 11, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Its written with heart. Glad you had a chance to read it. Love Lee
Dietrich Avatar
September 10, 2011 at 10:45 PM
carol is going to melt to read this wonderful and kind poem, Lee. VERY well done, my friend. Luv, Andrea
Ramage Avatar
September 10, 2011 at 11:29 PM
I mean every word of it. That is the only list I make each year, it just so nice to be part of this group, meeting people like you. Take care, Love Lee
Smith Avatar
September 10, 2011 at 9:43 PM
Thank-you for your kind poem. It is a pleasure to come to know you, even if only electronically.
Ramage Avatar
September 10, 2011 at 9:48 PM
It is a pleasure! thanks John, take care Lee
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