VisionsOfHope

Below and the pages that follow, are the words, graphics, or photographic images, of some of those "Voices"
Powerful Messages and also, many may well be, subject to your own interpretations.
This first one, the poem "Horses"
I had come across some time ago, and though it touched me.
At the time of that first experience, I had and still do find it to be extremely powerful.
I also found it to be of an inspiration and message of Hope.
As I said, this, as well as some of the others will be subject to your own interpretations.
This poem, as well as some others that will follow, can seem to "grow",
as if different portions, come closer to light, with each new awareness.
It is difficult to explain.

At the result of the September 11th Attacks, this poem, "Horses"
has become a topic of some controversy and you can view or participate in the discussions at the link provided below the poem, at the Authors Site directly following the poem on the next page.

It has been said, and found in other writings in regards to wars, or fighting's of proclaimed causes, on occasion throughout history that,
that some leaders in terrorist régimes, refer to their "soldiers" as "Horses"

Poem entitled "Horses" is posted here with permission.

And.. in regards to ,, New ray's of Hope & Shinning lights

I do not know of any person that can deny having felt something at the result of September 11th's attacks.
I have witnessed the kind of "Heart" world wide that normally one can witness at Christmas time, When even if in the beginning of the Season, people may grumble, and go about what they have come to believe is "expected" of them, buying gifts, decorating, writing cards, to the people in their lives that are important to them, and after awhile, it becomes "real".. they "really" "desire" to let someone know, that in the midst of everyday life, the running around, the not taking the time, even in times of harsh words.. they "feel" the desire to let someone know.. "I Care",, "I am happy you are a part of my life"... the act of giving becomes a "desire".

And "that" is too, is what the "World" shared in, at the result of September 11th.
Unity world wide, Heart, Giving.. Feelings that were and are what life "is" about.. "Life"..

This whole horrible period in our lives, in the world, could be a lesson, an opportunity..
To make some changes, for a "Better World"..

The Shinning lights~
All the people of the world,, everyone of them, that felt for another,
The Hero's, the men and woman and children, that did what ever they were able in order to give aid, no matter what the cost. Or how large or little they were able to give.
Evidence of this Shinning Light, is all over the World!

And.. The Ray of Hope?...
The Voices, Voices of the world,
Voices of people that may have in the past kept silent, keeping their thoughts within the confines of their own minds... Before. Before this tragic day, before this gift of unity world wide that came at the results of pains and fears "felt" world wide. We "are", people coming together.
Finding strength in the hearing of each quiet voice of another,
and growing stronger still, with "Each" voice.
The changes.. the Knowledge, the shared feelings, of that "this" "is" , has been, and will be, World Wide!
And in "That",, there, "Is" Hope..

Perhaps, if not for us, for those of use who were
and are at a distance, we are not filled with the same kind of anguish
or the perils, we are not living it day to day,
There for we can "See"... with maybe, our eyes more clearly open.
Not shadowed in as deep of pains or fears.
Our futures remain as they have been, at least they are not directly at odds "yet" not in our minds.
Because of not having been directly touched, in terms of our own futures, we many of us,
may very well, still feel safe.
With our sense of hopes & Dreams, not fully diminished as some could have been, or may still be.
We are able to "See", the shinning lights,
the hopes, the lessons, and perhaps,
come to help others, those within, to see it too.

Ray's of hope, in light us such horrors, such pains as the world has come to see.
And many have seen, and taken to heart, built faith even with unanswered questions of "why?",
and for some, no questions at all.
New hopes and striving to do more themselves, at the results of these fears and pains.
I do not say this with the intent to diminish or make light of the depths of anyone's pain,
or fears at the result of these horrors. They are very real, and my heart goes out to all those that anguish, or are in fear at the result.
I feel them also, not near the depths that of some,
those that were there, were and are still today, directly touched.
As I, my friends and family the people I love were safe that day.
We like so many were among those that watched from the distance.
A different kind of feelings all together, and mingled too, at least for me, with some guilt.
For not having shared more directly, in the pain.
Left with a feeling of empty despair and helplessness,
Wishing to hold someone up, carry someone to safety,
Be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen.
Anything of use, of help, to anyone anywhere, in order to
ease some of the pain and or the fear.

And then, I thought ....

I am not one to normally preach of religion, or anything of my own spiritual beliefs.
I do observe things in life, people, events, feelings , cause and effects.
As I do believe in Liberty, Justice for All,, the Bill of Rights
That we are all entitled to our own beliefs.
So I will and have shared my beliefs, but not with the intent of anyone sacrificing there own.
Just to, as I do when someone shares their beliefs with me,
"consider the possibility".. or "not..

Keeping that in mind, I would like to share this...
And, this sharing is on my part an act of "Faith"
My belief, though I am fearful of what the result of my sharing could bring
at a personal level, my existence in this small town, quality of life could very well change,
and not for the better,
I still believe, it is the right thing to do.

One thing, that has been consistent from my perspective
When I have or have witnessed others loose someone they love,
loose anything actually that could be considered good reason to
"loose it" so to speak, to become lost in worry, pain, fear,
To become hopelessly helpless to their place in life,
falling to the earth with the inner belief of
"All is Lost"
A world of "no choices"

Never yet, have I seen a person, with faith fall prey to this way of thinking, feeling,
Not at least at a lasting level.

"Faith" being, the Belief that what ever the source of faith,
God, Jesus, Great Father, Ala, ( please forgive anyone having been left out,, but I believe they are "all" the same) So to me, The "name" is not what is important, nor a sign of disrespect.
But the "feeling" of peace, safety, the "knowing"that all is not lost, that whatever the grief,
Because you "do" Believe, you "know" things "will" be ok,
A state of "Knowing" that "Faith" Believing gives.
That is really the part that is important I think, "Believing"

I remember the first time I was witness to this type of faith.
Thinking back, now this may well not have been the first time I was of witness, but it is the first time, I was "aware" that, "Faith" is what is was I was witness too.

I was pretty young, not having thought so at the time, but in comparison of today, I was just that "young".
A family I had known that lived down the street. I had not known them real well, but I knew them. Their children were at my home quiet a bit, playing with my children, and visa versa.
This couple had a baby as well as the three children that I had come to know.
Never once I had I witnessed these children bicker, not once in several years.
One day, my daughter came home, in tears.
Her friends had not gone to school this day, so she had gone over to their house after school.
The Baby had been found dead that morning, as if asleep in her crib.
The whole family naturally being very distraught. The baby had died from S.I.D.
Infant Death Syndrome.

At the funeral, I could not believe what I saw, but more than that what I "felt".
In the midst of what I consider to be one of the most painful losses, hard to cope with losses,
the loss of a child,
Instead of the sheer agony I had thought I would find within the walls of that church,
I found yes, the sadness "was" there, the anguish,, but some how, not the total devastation that I had thought I would find, feel.
I felt "love" within those walls, it was undeniable, a strange warmth that came from someplace deep inside, it had not, "been" inside of me, when I had walked in,
It was felt at the result of the magnitude resulting from what the people inside the church felt, and it radiated so much, that I in turn felt it to.
It came for their hearts, of sincere love, compassion and desire of giving, their love and compassion for that family, the baby, and the belief that the baby was fine, that she though lost to them, was not "lost".
And that they would be together again, and that she was with them still and always, in their hearts,
That she was in a better place.
It is so difficult to explain, as this was so many years ago.
I left in utter "Awe".......
I could not believe the serene in spite of the pain.
Both were evident.

I at that time, I did not know how to have faith, or what to have faith in,
The only thing I did know, was I had been given the gift of "what could be"
And undeniable fact to me, that there is, was "something" to believe in, that I could not "touch" with my hand, or see.. something that was basically ~unexplainable~

To have faith myself, took me awhile.
Many lessons of life latter,
I do now, "know" the feeling.