Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

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ancestor from Wales

November 14, 2025

An ancestor of mine born in Bala, Wales, Owen Owens 1746-1861, became an ordained Baptist minister in Washington County, Kentucky, but he & his wife left the church due to their refusal to participate in slavery. (Refusal of their church to not participate in slavery “after much discussion”)

His traits mentioned were being of good morals, an “uncommonly small man” with a noble soul. He is my 5th great-grandfather, ancestor to Cora Belle Owens, my great-grandmother who married Alexander Reid in southern Indiana.

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how are you doing?

October 29, 2025

People ask us how we’re doing.

Honest answer, we’re struggling,

all of us, every day, every minute, in every way.

We miss you, we love you,

it is natural to grieve.

Your parents, your sister, your brothers, your kids,

your goddaughter, your cousins,

your coworkers and friends.

We all struggle every day,

but we’re okay. We have to be.

You filled this world with so much love,

You called your boys to check on them,

I turn to God,

I feel your spirit,

You are with us every day,

We whisper to you

but won’t hear back,

and yet, you are there,

you are everywhere.

You are in everything we do,

Every day we send our love to you.

cfblack, 10-29-25

Jasmine age 16, photography class

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Cheese and crackers

October 26, 2025

My Dutch grandma served cheese and crackers,

chocolate candy with vanilla creme,

green and white mints, melted in your mouth,

windmill cookies, and 7-up.

She lived through the Great depression,

sat at her foot pedal sewing machine,

revised used clothes from someone else

to fit her own children,

went to church on Sunday,

and always had a smile.

Told us of times Grandpa couldn’t find work

and “had to go work for the WPA”,

They built sidewalks and did other jobs

after the first world war,

She loved hosting friends and family,

the adults talked for what seemed like hours,

until she winked and said with a smile,

“Let’s have a little lunch.”

Children then ran into the kitchen,

were treated like Kings and Queens,

climbed up on chairs awaiting them,

felt the love in their family,

watched her pour the magic bubbly,

ate cheese and crackers, and candy.

This is where we heard stories,

learned some family history,

but what I most remember

is my Grandma’s cheery laughter,

always happily hosting,

sharing what they had.

cfblack, 10-26-25

Posted in childhood, Family, hard times, love | Leave a Comment »

green grasshopper

October 20, 2025

Yesterday, on the windshield of your car,

our car, the one we inherited from you,

a tiny grasshopper appeared,

light green baby, sitting there,

as I drove to the store.

This has become our sign,

a symbol of life between us.

I would see them in your yard,

after you passed,

not something we see every day anymore,

like I used to see them as a kid.

A sign of life, a symbol, and I like to think,

from you.

It is you saying, “Care for the earth,

all signs of life, everywhere.

Each life is precious, even grasshoppers,

care for all the living things.”

A friend of mine wrote a poem for you,

‘I see you galavanting through galaxies,

a grasshopper clinging … to your hand…

She dwells with the stars, tethered to God,

with an emerald green grasshopper

strapped by her side.’

I whisper to you in the car,

“I love you, I miss you.”

I see you too, green grasshopper,

all life is connected,

ours, with tiny living things,

and other worlds beyond.

cfblack, 10-20-25

Posted in Family, gratitude, grief, love, spirit world | Leave a Comment »

miss you

September 26, 2025

When I take time

to take you in, again,

to feel your spirit,

to see your smile,

and realize that part of you

is forever gone,

I cannot stop the tears.

Oh how I miss you,

my Spirit daughter,

jasmine flower,

unique, precious, sensitive, fragile,

strong, powerful, courageous and light,

life-giving, happiest in the clouds,

seeing God’s majesty,

one with the Universe,

all the joy that was yours came through.

We miss you, oh dear daughter of Light,

Fly, Fly oh so High,

to all the worlds of God,

When I come through to where you are,

Take me with you, flying side by side.

Posted in Family, grief | Leave a Comment »

a little prayer

September 7, 2025

Thank you, Lord, for this day,
Keep my negative thoughts at bay,
when heart is heavy for missing her,
help me to know You walk with her,
when my eyes well up with tears,
help me to know, her spirit is near,
Love is eternal, Love is real,
Love is really all there is.
cfblack, 9-7-25

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The soul knows

August 4, 2025

The soul sometimes knows

what the mind does not,

There were many signs,

You had started to make a will

but never got it done,

You took your sister to Hawaii,

a place of your dreams,

You took us on pilgrimage

to Haifa, Israel,

You asked your dad what he wanted

for this year’s Fathers Day,

You said you missed his parents,

would like to visit them,

only two weeks later

you would do just that,

and fly to the worlds beyond.

A baby in the womb cannot imagine this life,

just as we don’t understand where you are,

Our hearts rest in the promise we will see you again,

that love is an eternal bond.

cfblack, 8-4-25

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Spirit daughter

July 13, 2025

Spirit daughter,

Daughter of light,

I feel your spirit

throughout the night,

Throughout this time of grief and sadness,

you are there, I am aware.

I feel you, your whole being,

all the woman that you were,

You had come into your own,

now you are flying

freer than free,

throughout the heavens,

on a new path,

a new creation that never fades,

You will always be with me,

Gratitude mingles with tears.

cfblack, 7-13-25

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6 seconds

July 13, 2025

I think through those last seconds of your life,

that no one wants to think about.

I NEED to think through them, feel them, know them,

because I know you, and you were strong.

You were SO brave, this was your passion.

You were happiest in the clouds,

You knew the risks! studied day and night,

took classes, learned from others,

bought altimeters, your own parachute,

and you loved to watch others land.

We still don’t know exact circumstances,

You were making your descent,

you and another got too close,

your parachutes entangled.

“Don’t delay, cut away,” you cut away your parachute,

the other diver’s chute inflated, your reserve did not,

A freefall from 800 feet

takes 6 seconds to the ground,

This is all the time you had,

as you fell into the arms of God.

Six seconds of descent,

six seconds of lift and flight,

God carried you gently, through the doorway

to new worlds of grace, and light.

cfblack, 7-12-25

Posted in Family, grief, love | Leave a Comment »

poem for Jasmine

July 7, 2025

They say your body has been released.

I look at your picture, your beautiful face,

Remember your laughter, your determination

to be ALL that you could be.

I look at your picture, your flowing blonde hair,

Your bright blue eyes, your faith and love.

You had the bluest eyes in the family,

Now you see all the worlds of God.

I look at your picture, your smiling face,

Do you know, how much I love you?

Send me a sign, please be my angel,

Be happy, wherever it is you are.

I can’t picture life without you,

You were my bright and shining star!

The way you fought what life threw at you,

Wrote in journals,

Memorized prayers,

You felt so free when you were flying,

Now you fly through the worlds of God.

Your broken body, your broken bones,

It was immediate, you felt no pain,

You cut your chute, the other one lived,

Saving one is better than losing two,

And whoever you are, know we are HAPPY for you.

Jasmine, you did everything right,

You did the only thing left to do,

You were perfect in every way,

We all have flaws, but you had few,

I don’t know how we will live without you,

Please pray for me, as I pray for you.

cfblack, 6-25-25

Posted in Family, grief | Leave a Comment »

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