Friday, October 18, 2019

The Watering Can


Psalm 72:6
May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.


Funny, isn't it?
The things we cling to, keep
And those we toss away?
I keep watering can
Precious gift from Dad
With memories of witness
Untold usefulness
Not curtailed by time
Or space, or place, or death
To water earth with grace
A prophetic moment
Dad's smile, his laughter
In the here and now

Amen.

36 comments:

  1. beautiful - a memory. an inspiration. A homage to your dad

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    1. Thanks so much, Jean, for your kind words here today.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Just caught up on your last several posts. Daughter and grandchildren just moved in for a couple of months while they are in between homes. Joyous (and yes sometimes stressful) chaos! How nice to come here and be spiritually fed. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you, Galen, for your sweet words here. Wow! Sounds like it is quite chaotic at your house, but at least you can enjoy the grands. :)
      Love and blessings!

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    1. Thanks so much, Terri, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. How lovely...what a wonderful thought...it's those simple things that mean a lot, isn't it? They invoke precious memories that touch us in our hearts in ways no one else quite understands...because it was your precious memory, not theirs. I love this, and I totally get it.

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    1. I know you absolutely "get it," Pamela, as you've shared on your blog the many precious items handed down from preceding generations that mean so much to you personally. It is that connection, seemingly insignificant to others, that makes all the difference in our lives and our perspectives. I loved my Dad so much, and miss him every day . . .
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Beautiful post, Martha. We all have certain objects that are a sweet, precious reminder about people special to us. To others the items might seem like "junk". Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Beauty is absolutely in the eye of the beholder, Kim. We should never judge what is precious to one person based upon our own limited experience. Dad was the penultimate gardener, and the watering can defined him and his love for nurturing his plants. He gave it to me when I picked up that mantle years ago. It will always be a treasure.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Oh, how this resonates! Exquisite memories woven into seemingly ordinary objects. Blessed are we.

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    1. I'm so pleased that this poem resonated with you, Mevely! Ordinary objects can, and do, hold extraordinary memories.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Beautiful. Martha, the can and rhe poem. Thanks!

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  8. Lovely thoughts Martha. I have saved things over the years that others wouldn't think of keeping, things worth little in material value but much in the memory category. I love old things, and I guess to many people I am a hoarder and have way more in my apartment that I need, but everything has a special place in my life. I have my grandma's old Bible (my cousin got the newer one back in the early 60s when grandma died) and it's falling apart. I have a couple of other out-of-print books that were hers as well as her crochet hook collection and some knitting needles she used to knit lace and which are so thin I'm not sure how she ever used them. But they are part of my life.

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    1. Thanks so much, Diane, for sharing some of your cherished objects here with us that hold a special place in your heart. It's so true that one person's "junk" is another's treasure, just for the fond and loving memories they invoke. Hold on to them!
      Love and blessings!

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    1. Amen, we do! Thanks for stopping by. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  10. I keep more stuff than I should, most of it dated and useless and really no sentimental value either. There is one item I have that I have in a chest that is an air force plaque my grandpa received while in the service during WWII. He passed away when I was around 13. I have many fond memories that come back when I see that plaque.

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    1. What a special treasure, Ryan, one that holds precious memories of your grandfather. It is definitely a keeper!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. So true Martha. The things we remember over time...

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    1. You know it, Bill. An object that would mean nothing to someone else becomes significant to us because of the memories.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. You made me smile because of my post about the hole in the old roasting pan! Recently, I did something that made me very sad. I put away all the gifts and memories that my son gave me. It has been eight years since he left us and these things were a daily reminder of that pain.

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    1. Oh, how hard and painful this must have been for you, Carol! My heart breaks to hear this. Thank you for having the courage to share this here, my friend.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. The things that help us remember! I love this! Thanks, Martha!

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    1. I'm so glad this post touched you, Deb!
      Love and blessings!

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  14. One of the things I have that reminds me of my dad is his old miter box. It's funny the things we use to help us remember, isn't it?

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    1. It is, indeed, Laurie. The most seemingly innocuous object can trigger so many fond memories for us.
      Love and blessings!

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  15. I have the measuring pitcher my mother mixed baby formula in. Would have never known its uniqueness had her sitter not told me.
    Blessings!

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    1. Oh, wow, Loralu, what a special treasure that is! Hope it's something that will have meaning for your grandchildren one day.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. I keep my Daddy's 5-string banjo and a few other small items he owned. I miss him so much. It is funny - every now and then we will pass by the banjo, and our clothes will brush its strings, and I will hear that sound and it seems like he is right here in the room. We never stop missing our parents. Thank you for sharing about your Dad's watering can. God bless you, my friend, and comfort you with your precious memories.

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    1. Thanks so much, Cheryl, for sharing this sweet story here. Yes, brushing up on those strings inadvertently, I'm sure, brings memories cascading through your mind and heart. And you are so right that we never stop missing our parents.
      Love and blessings!

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