Love of Life - Blessing #13

    Years ago a dear friend gave me a beautiful linoleum print of the poem “A Salutation of the Dawn.".  Her name was Fannie Mennen, and she was an teacher, musician, and an artist who grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  She also had a wonderful home called Plum Nelly atop land up on part of Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Georgia, where I viscid her many years ago.  She had had polio as a child, but she did not let that stop her for seeking her dreams and living her life to the fullest.  She went on to become a noted lithographer and produced some of the most beautiful linoleum prints you have ever seen. Through the years I’ve collected many of her works which are now housed in the homes of my three children. Should you like to read about her interesting life, there is an excellent article online. Ever since reading the salutation,  I have tried very hard to live each of my days to its fullest. Now, as I am growing older, I am able to look back over my years, and for the most part,  my yesterdays are dreams of happiness while all of my tomorrows continue to be visions of Hope.  I love my life, and I am joyful each morning when I awaken to the sunrise, and give thanks for my day before going to sleep along side the peaceful darkness of the night. I am truly blessed.

                                          SALUTATION OF THE DAWN
LISTEN to the exhortation of the Dawn!
Look to this Day! For it is Life, The very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the Varieties And Realities of your Existence;
  The Bliss of Growth,
  The Glory of Action,
  The Splendor of Beauty;
For Yesterday is but a Dream,
And To-morrow is only a Vision;
But To-day well lived
Makes every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,
And every To-morrow a Vision of Hope.
Look well therefore to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn.
 (Hindu)