( it seems it’s baseball day in Canada, and my Dad was a very big baseball fan, so for my Dad, I’m thinking of you today ..)
“Be gentle”
if at anytime you knew or crossed paths with my Dad
these were always his parting words
be gentle
he was a gentle man, my father
he lived gentle in the world
treated others gently
and gently was also the way in which
he eventually left us
today, with these words still in my head
and in my heart
I think of my Dad
with enormous gratitude
for possibly the greatest gift
he gave
gentleness
to move gently in this world
is my highest aspiration
to be gentle in Love
to be gentle in spirit
to be gentle with others
to be gentle
with myself
when the ways of the world become unkind
to be gentle
when harsh words or actions threaten
to pierce my heart
to be gentle
when the path I travel
feels long and arduous
to be gentle
when clouds are heavy
and I feel weighted and worn
to be gentle
when I step out
into the world outside my door
to be gentle
when I draw in to be sheltered
and secured
to be gentle
when I offer my heart
and all it’s contents
come clumsily tumbling out
to be gentle
when I see in you
a kindness
not yet recognized
to be gentle
to gently Love
to gently Live
to offer this gift
to you if we should meet
to you, as you pass by
to you, when you need it most
to be gentle
to gently be
to the part of him
that remains with me
my gift to you
be gentle ♥