I have six crows lined up on the wire outside my window at the moment and I was reminded of that old poem I knew as a child.
One for sorrow,
two for joy,
three for a girl,
four for a boy,
five for silver,
six for gold,
seven for a secret never to be told,
eight for a wish,
nine for a kiss,
ten for a time of joyful bliss.
I don't view such things as portents but I am reminded that I can see that for the past few days that gold has sprinkled my life.
I've had so much support in your comments and personal emails. I took an entire day off and contemplated what I should do.
And the answer as midnight struck was very simple indeed: Absolutely nothing.
Why worry this person unnecessarily with my observations of deteriorating health?
It would serve no purpose whatsoever apart from adding to their already huge stress and other health issues. And what can they do?
What can I do?
Be loving and supportive and work my way around whatever presents itself. I have had practice with my dear friend Lana and prior to her with Chuck.
Staying in the moment. Counting crows. Cherishing the gold - particularly with the support I get from all of you out there. Your words meant so much in a time of terrible distress and worry.
Thank you seems hugely inadequate.
Heartfelt hugs and oceans of caring are flowing your way. Today and every day.
ReplyDeleteYour rhyme I learned linked to magpies - and the last stanzas are slightly different.
'eight for heaven,
nine for hell,
and ten's the number for the devil himself'.
I prefer your version.
And three was for a wedding...
DeleteWhat is the rest of your version please?
DeleteOne for sorrow,
DeleteTwo for joy,
Three for a wedding,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told
Eight for heaven,
Nine for hell,
Tens the number for the devil his self
EC thank you. And I do remember a wedding in there too. I recited mine from memory. There was illness I think too. I think my Granny cleaned it up for me to make it more palatable for a child.
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I've been thinking and wondering what you would do. Glad to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteGood to be here Joanne and not completely falling apart.
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Glad to hear you are feeling better about things.
ReplyDeleteI think accepting would be a better word, acceptance is often one of the most difficult things we can do.
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Oh my goodness...I didn't comment on the last post because I didn't know what to say. I wanted to say the exact thing you are saying in this post but thought better of it. I believe in the philosophy of stoicism...we do the best we can and then we let it go. Times can be tough, my friend, but you are stronger. Be happy!
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite at the Happy part yet, Ain't, but certainly feeling more brave and stoic about things!
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I remember hearing One for sorrow, Two for Joy, way back when I was very young, but never heard the rest of the poem. It's lovely. I have crows where I live and almost always see two at once.
ReplyDeleteI just love crows. So smart and responsive and full of different sounds for communication.
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Doing nothing is sometimes the hardest choice of all, and seems out of the question when we are upset about the situation. Giving it some space to settle is a good thing, clearing out the emotional upset by writing it out is a good way.
ReplyDeleteI find writing the best form of processing Annie. Unjumble my guts in other words. I was so frantic but I knew any action would be poor decision making. Nothing. Imagine that. Acceptance. Silence.
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https://www.indianmirror.com/culture/indian-folklore/Feeding-Crows.html
ReplyDeleteThanks as always Ramana, there is such simple wisdom in the creatures that surround our lives.
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That's a nice poem. It doesn't help to be reminded of one's deteriorating health. Some people age faster than others.
ReplyDeleteNothing to do with age, Gigi. No more can I say.
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So glad that you've managed to arrive at your decision - sometimes the most difficult of steps to take. Good to know your okay. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to shut up and say nothing. It is a lesson only, I believe, learned in old age. Words can be so useless. And I know that myself. Often we just need to lean on someone silently.
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proud of you
Deletelove you
we are alike in many ways :)
Thank you Ernestine, I am so happy that you hang in there and we we can wave at each other now and again :)
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Sometimes all we can best do is nothing which doesn't mean we don't care for another.
ReplyDeleteThe crows remind me of some of those queries we used to explore for fun many years ago in my youth — Why do birds sit on a wire?, How deep is deep purple? for example.
Shutting ourselves up is sometimes the best policy of all. I've always loved that song Bird on a Wire. So many versions.
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Oh good - I'm glad you got clarity.
ReplyDeleteAnd it really seems to be the best. I ran it by another friend back from a trip and she agreed also.
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You seem so sad; I am so sorry if that is your current frame of mind.
ReplyDeleteI know the rhyme as a rhyme when seeing magpies. Am I wrong? I know they are the same family as crows.
I'm feeling a lot better Friko, thank you. The worry was awful for a while but it's now alleviated.
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Sounds like the right decision, if you think further intervention wouldn't be much help.
ReplyDeleteNo that would make it worse, I have no hesitation in saying that.
DeleteSometimes nothing is the answer.
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