A Lantern to Remember

In remembrance of my mom who passed away in November 2011, I gathered with my children to let off Chinese Lanterns.  Our first attempt was at the beach, but when the sun went down, the wind kicked up, and it was too windy.  We drove back home and stopped at the grassy area by our church.  One by one we sent them off into the air, the last one I held onto until it filled with air and it wanted to soar.  I occasionally write poems, and I came home that night and wrote a poem about this experience in connection with my thoughts about my mom.

This Is My Quest

 

I am on a quest, which at times feels impossible, but I am determined to succeed.  My quest is to overcome my own inadequacies and weaknesses, to face my challenges, and to become the person God wants me to be.

At times, self-doubt and discouragement weigh me down.  It is an internal battle usually fought in the confines of my mind and my heart.  I clearly see my personal weaknesses and its hard not to solely focus on my shortcomings.  “No matter how hopeless” this battle sometimes appears in my mind, my determination to reach my final destination helps put things into focus, and I tell myself I can not give up, even when my perceived inadequacies make me feel as if I have fallen short.  My quest is to prevent self-doubt and discouragement from stopping my forward progression and to turn my weaknesses into strengths.

“To dream the Impossible Dream, to fight the unbeatable foe, to bear with unbearable sorrow, to run where the brave dare not go…” This is my quest as I face my challenges.  As I look at today’s unrighteous world and evil influences, I must work hard to stand for truth and righteousness, regardless of what is occurring around me or what others say I should believe.  As I face my personal trials, I need to better accept those challenges, without murmuring and approach them with a positive attitude.  As I face the difficult task of parenting in today’s environment, I realize that even though I may be an imperfect parent, I have a responsibility to guide my children and to love them unconditionally.  The world tries to pull them in so many directions, so I have to do my very best to show them the clear path to follow and give them the freedom to choose their path.  My quest is to never give up even when the world is overbearing, my trials are overwhelming, and parenting seems overly difficult.

I shall continually strive “to follow that star”—to become the person God wants me to be, to never lose hope, to hold on to my faith, to patiently continue moving forward, and always give credit to God for helping me on this path; and then I will know that when all is said and done that “my heart will lie peaceful and calm, when I’m laid to my rest.”  My quest is to improve myself, to face my challenges, to serve my family and others, to strive to live righteously, and know that I have done my very best to become who God wants me to become.

It is a difficult quest I am on, but if I hold fast and strive to endure, I can succeed! “This is my quest…no matter how hopeless, no matter how far…

[I will] reach the unreachable star!”