Welcome to my “Heartland Echoes,” where I aim to share my published poems with the world, along with my survival story and autobiography of childhood abuse, motivational quotes, and much more. Through my words, I hope to inspire others to share their own stories and experiences. Each poem is a piece of my heart and soul, along with a story of a traumatic past, crafted with inspiration, Hope, faith, love and passion. I believe that by sharing our art and emotions, I’ll be able to connect with others on a deeper level and create a sense of community.
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides”, “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own”, “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”
I catch you looking at me,
why do you hold back,
from fulfilling passionates glee?
What happened to the butt smacks?
What happened to the cuddles?
Where did our love go?
I miss the warm snuggles.
Why are you so shallow?
Am I not enough?
Do I not turn you on?
Can you not see how I am a rare diamond in the rough?
“There lives at least one being who can never change-one being who would be content to devote his whole existence to your happiness-who lives but in your eyes-who breathes but in your smiles-who bears the heavy burden of life itself only for you.” Charles Dickens
A cascading night sky, casts an oracle of the northern lights A mystical dance of colors that ignites A symphony of shimmering hues A celestial display that never ceases to amuse.
Aurora borealis, a magical sight Painting the darkness with pure delight Whispers of wonder in the starlit sky Mysteries of the universe passing by.
Luminous ribbons of green and pink Creating a canvas that makes you think Of the beauty and power of nature’s art Captivating the soul and warming the heart.
In the night sky, a celestial show A reminder of the wonders we don’t always know A dance of light in the darkness above A symbol of hope, peace, and love.
As the moon rises high in the night sky, And the stars twinkle with a gentle sigh, I lay my head down to rest and keep, drifting away into the land of sleep.
My mind begins to wander and roam, Through fields of dreams, I freely roam, visiting places I’ve never seen, in the realm of sleep, I am a queen.
The worries of the day slowly fade, as I find solace in the dreams I made. My spirit is light, a tranquil heart, a peaceful embrace, where the healing starts.
So let me drift off into the night, where dreams are vivid, and healing takes plight. In the quiet stillness of the night, I find my peace in sweet sleeps, delight.
My first daughter at 21 years old. She survived all odds. ✨She’s a living, breathing Miracle from God! ✨
(A note for those of you don’t know the back story of my daughter being born a miracle.)
*My daughter Ashleigh , shown in these pictures above, survived all odds shortly after being born. Hours after my daughter was born, death came knocking on her door. She was born premature and her lungs weren’t fully developed and while in the N.I.C.U., her health rapidly declined.
She was hooked up to all sorts of machines, including a feeding tube. She was also severely jaundiced. The N.I.C.U. doctor told us she wasn’t going to survive. Her lungs were too underdeveloped. She was clinging to life just days after being born.
Our pastor Rick Harms was by her bedside day and night praying for her. Our church, family, friends, and my husband and I were also praying for a miracle.
Miraculously, God heard our cries and blessed my daughter with life. Her lungs began to improve, her breathing began to improve, the blue light from the machine she was in began to heal her jaundice. Come May 31, 2003, she was discharged with a clean bill of health and we got to take her home, but with some caution rules. So it’s not just love that’s a miracle. My daughter being blessed with life.
However, throughout the years, there were many doctor and er visits. Due to her being born premature, her immune system wasn’t very strong, she got sick, A Lot. She was on a round of many medications and special formula. Here it is 21 years later and she is a healthy beautiful woman and great mother.
I could feel the heat in my face intensify, a simmering anger began to seethe within me, bubbling up like a boiling pot of water. The tension in the room was noticeable, the atmosphere was so thick, I could cut it with a knife.
I could feel the frustration and pent up emotions growing between the both of us. It was only a matter of time before the bubble of restraint burst, unleashing a froth of heated words and raw emotions, I would later regret.
The room seemed to crackle with intensity of the moment, each breath feeling heavier than the last. It was a powerful ticking bomb ready to explode, and there was no telling what might happen once it did.
I know a lot of you have noticed my writing language has changed within the last few days and may leave you scratching your heads wondering, what has gotten into that woman. 🤔
Well, a simple answer to that would be,
LIFE!…
Life has me spinning 😵💫 in circles, which is causing my mental and emotional health to be in a downward slope.
But I’m here to tell you, I’m not going to apologize for my erratic behavior. Everyone has their good days and bad days. The last few days just happen to be my bad days. Well, if you don’t count my car breaking down last week.
I don’t always have to be strong all the time. This is me, being my authentic self. Not that I haven’t always been, but it seems as though people in my life expect me to be able to keep it all together, all the time. No. It doesn’t work that way. I am human and I have feelings just like everyone else. I am allowed to vent, to be sad, and to be angry.
That’s what makes me human. I’m not some programmed robot who doesn’t have feelings. I’m very much, one hundred percent human, who has real feelings and emotions. Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, storms move in when we least expect them. But, with time, I will bounce back, and I will eventually be okay.
I’m not okay, The weight on my chest, Crushing me down, I can’t catch my breath.
I’m not okay, nothing to numb the pain, my heart aches, with unending pain.
I’m not okay, But I’ll keep fighting, I won’t give up, I’ll keep writing.
I’m not okay, But that’s okay, I’ll find my way, To a brighter day.
On my drive back from picking my daughter up from drivers Ed, I had to stop off to take a pic of this beautiful art work. I’ve passed it many times and have been wanting to take a picture of it. How can you not. It’s stunning artwork. I love anything art.
Not only that but I couldn’t resist petting the horses in the field. I LOVE HORSES!! 🐴
Towanda Kansas
Art display, for all to see,
A creative piece, so serene.
Picture perfect, a tranquil view,
painted a cheerful blue.
Towanda Kansas
Exquisite art, a delicate piece,
Carefully crafted,
viewed from the streets.
A pristine piece, enchanted.
I Also Love horses! I couldn’t resist petting this beauty. He was quite friendly. Munch. Munch. He was hungry. My youngest daughter also loves horses.
Does anyone know why these horses in the pictures have to have guards over their face?
Don’t mind my messy hair. It was windy. 😂Self with my new buddy 😁Such beautiful artwork! Towanda Kansas
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It’s what sunflowers do.”
This quote is by Helen Keller. It suggests that by focusing on the positives, one can emerge from difficult situations by avoiding or distracting their focus from the negatives.