A Thanksgiving Prayer

Realizing the gifts of the season and the importance of your loved ones.

Rick and Rosalinda Puetter when first married in their first apartment in San Diego with graduate school for Rick just starting (Fall 1974).

A Thanksgiving Payer

     "…How fortunate we are this year…let us give thanks!…"

Oh, think, my love, how we are blessed

On this fair day of joy

A year ago we faced such pain

Both hope and peace destroyed

But we survived the troubled time--

I do not know just how

Our tears now dried and wiped away

Care lifted from our brows

Oh think what calm--oh think what treat

We celebrate today

Such mirth and festive merriment

This day holds in its sway

Now tears of joy fill full my eyes

Yet still I feel those pains

Near losing you I must confess

I near gave grief all rein

 

But with time passed I can let go--

This burden off my chest

I now, at last, these terrors shake--

These horrors now divest

 

I now can sigh, and shake that fear

That you would go away

What I would do in such event?

I truly cannot say

 

But let us smile that time is passed--

Be happy and be gay

Health truly is a treasure, Dear

A gift Thanksgiving Day

 

©2014 Richard Puetter

All rights reserved

Reviews

[Helen Crutchett]

This a stunning tribute Rick...... from troubled times to to the conclusion of the calm after the storm. Very endearing and heartfelt...written deep from within a loving heart. Such unconditional love is so warming and precious.

I loved this po3m and its going into my 'favourites'!

Thank you for sharing a little of your life memories with us all.

Kindest Regards,

Helena :)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Rick, your posted image a true joy. Says so very much about a special relationship. A poem of Thanksgiving indeed, how your world can plunge into darkness and despair when ill health turns up unexpected on the doorstep and threatens the love of your life. How very difficult it must have been to cope with those emotions of thinking you might lose your Rosalinda.

But with time passed I can let go

Reflecting on those times can make us appreciate even more what we have. Your stanzas reach right into the heart. A truly beautiful poem. A perfect poem of Thanksgiving.

All good wishes winging their way across the waves.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

mmmmmmmmmm great pic, Rick! the tribute full of love and gratitude .. you put the science man aside in this one ;) very emotive .. i think the rhyming is original and unforced .. the structure of quatrains, in my opinion, always lend the reader a sense of solidity .. like your relationship after a very difficult time. You made this very personal ... vulnerable .. i was drawn in and honestly feel genuinely happy you guys made it through! be well .. stay safe! see you around .. right here at the Cafe'
E.

[Cherrie Palmer]

This is a Thanksgiving gift.

[TL Boehm]

This is a lovely, warm poem and I am so glad you have the sweet joy to savor after the trouble. Peace and continued JOY to you.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful write.

[Clockwork]

Your empathy and compassion for your beloved shines through in every one of your lines. The celebration of companionship is extremely introspective and authentic in this poem.

I like how you reflect on the difficult times with such honesty, as in the lines "A year ago we faced such pain/Both hope and peace destroyed." Those lines contrast well with lines of celebration and joy such as "Such mirth and festive merriment/This day holds in its sway."

The meditative tone of prayer can also be found in many of your lines, especially the final two lines of the poem. I am very glad to read all is well! Blessed be your New Year; may you both dwell in peace and prosperity.

[Sheila Kline]

Dear Rick,

As the minutes of the clock approach the end of this year and prepare to welcome a new year, I think of these words written from the depths of your spirit for your dearest wife, your Rosalinda who is not only your wife, but also your helpmate, your friend, the one who holds your affections within her heart!

You write with passion as well as compassion as you ring out the glad tidings of her healing, of her ability to hold on, to fight the good fight which correlates to the struggles you have had in seeing her suffer, in knowing that she was at times perhaps only a shadow away from the end of her life! She has endured, you have endured and that is what I realize is so special about your love for one another!! You stand one by the other, you give and take, you understand, you are my dear man...........a man in LOVE with the woman of your life!!

I should think there are not many who hold such conviction one for the other!!

Thank you for sharing this personal, and intimate glimpse of your struggles, of her struggles, of your struggles as man and wife, and yes...........let us be thankful, abundantly thankful for the both of you!!!

May she continue to improve in health, and be long standing by your side as you are by hers!! May you both hold onto the love you have for one another. May you be in love FOREVER!!!!!!!!
The photo you share with us guarantees it!!! It has FOREVER written all over it!!!

With Respect,
Sheila

[Fabian G. Franklin]

How very touching and heartfelt...so beautiful Rick! Suffering can make life sweeter and dearer when from the bitterness of tears are born new smiles and new cause for gladness and joy. I lost my mother just three short years ago but I am now awaiting the birth of a new daughter...life holds wonders and joys that can fill a heart to overflowing. Blessings of love and light my friend.

[Cool Girl]

I love this so much! The style and passion and meaning and emotion and message and .....................

Excelent job! Nicely Penned:)

[Ruth]

People often forget the small blessings that make life bearable at times, the real important ones....this is beautiful hon and I love the photo, precious xo