Esther Chilton

It’s a joy to welcome Anne Copeland to my blog as this week’s Guest Writer. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her poem as much as me. Before you read it, here is a little bit about Anne, in her own words:

“In May of 2016,  I had breast cancer surgery, and graduated in October the same year with my second degree, this one in Criminal Justice at age 74.  My goal had been to be a mentor/advocate for juvenile delinquents, but fate decided I was too old to do that, so instead, I am a volunteer for CASA.org (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) for foster children in San Bernardino, CA.

“I have published two nonfiction books: Artful Alchemy: Physically Challenged Fiber Artists Creating and Pumpkin, Pumpkin: Folklore, History, Planting Hints and Good Eating. I am also a practicing professional artist in fiber and mixed media.  I love urban art creations as you can see by my 1996 Honda Civic Hatchback that I covered with fabric. I have lived a very full, exciting and adventurous life. No matter what your challenge is or has been in life, you can live a full life and have love and joy every day if that is what you want.  

“I also believe that all challenges we have lived through are a blessing to us as we could never learn compassion for others if we never had these experiences.  We would have no clue how to help someone else, sort of like a priest (no offense) trying to give a family advice when he has never been married.  And we could never build our strength of character or have a meaningful journey with our faith or spirituality, whatever form that might take.  Once we have resolved a problem, it will not be a problem again unless we are addicted to problems because now we will know how to deal with it.  Problems are only those things we have never encountered before. As adults, we can say no and mean it.  We don’t have to accept anything that we don’t want to accept, and if there is something we do want, we just have to teach ourselves how to be determined and go after it. Most of all, we have to believe in ourselves.  I once read a book called Advice from a Failure by Jo Coudert. In it she wrote, “Of all the people you will ever meet or love, there is one person you will wake up with every day of your life.”  And I think that is so true.  If you cannot love yourself, who can you love?”

On the Other Side of the Garden Wall

By

Anne Copeland

When I felt I was lost, I was found,

For I couldn’t know I was lost

Unless I had a context of being where I was.

When I felt I was unloved, I was loving myself,

For I was acknowledging

My human needs and feelings.

When I felt afraid, I was the bravest of all,

For it takes tremendous courage to face

Scary thoughts and feelings square on.

And when I thought I had no hope,

I had tremendous hope,

For things could never get better

If I couldn’t see where I am now,

And have a sense of needing to change.

And so I realize

I’ve been on the other side of the garden wall

All along.

Written by Anne Copeland, 1992

To read more of Anne’s work, please visit her blog.

And here’s a photo of Anne’s 1989 Honda Civic Hatchback she covered herself!