Grateful

Posted on by jonicaggiano
My Sweet Family – Published With Her Permission – Poem by Joni 01/01/2022

fragile is a heart inside the chest of a child
birds and butterflies tread entwining gifts there too
soft young skin shivers as melancholy air covers him with blue

stitches of memories stretching out in hope
frozen between three snowflakes watching lady time
blue jays singing notes of love as church bells blissfully chime

aromatic petals on a golden stem, a fresh birth
words drift like honey from babes’ souls as they pray
colors soft like cotton candy spinning thankful for life this day

Dear community, I can’t thank all of you enough. My heart is grateful for the gifts you have shared with me—your talents, kindness, spiritual posts, and so much more. You have embraced me, and I feel special because of that. Amongst all the tragic events of this year, my family and this community have been a glue that has helped hold me emotionally, faithfully, and inspirationally together.
Many of you already know about my three beautiful grandchildren. I love them so much, and of course, I love their mom and dad. I couldn’t be more proud of them. They are thoughtful, prayerful, and kind individuals with whom I got to visit this Thanksgiving.
I pray for blessings and thankfulness for my family and yours this next year. May we be grateful for the roof over our heads, the food in our stomachs, safe water to drink, clean air that we breathe, our health, and those we have to love and support us – family.
Please remember that it is an estimation that approximately only one child out of three has safe water to drink this New Year. Many live in make-shift huts if they are lucky enough to have cover and sleep on dirt floors. Children die every day in our world from starvation. So let us all be grateful we have the tools to connect to others who have nothing but their cell phones, a tiny little solar charge, and barely enough food to survive. I know this – I have seen it for myself, and it is a blessing to connect to these sisters and brothers of ours around this world. Love Joni

94 thoughts on “Grateful”

  1. A beautiful post, and stunning poem. Your family is beautiful, dear Joni. May the new year bring all of you love, joy, peace, and many blessings. Sending love and hugs. ❤️🤗🥰

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    1. Thank you so much Jeff. I am delighted you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for your kind words about my family. They are such a blessing to us. We sure would like to be closer. Sending much love to you and your family Jeff. ❤️🤗🦋🥰🙏

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    1. Thank you Ingrid I really appreciate that. Yes, I feel extremely blessed. I hope that you and those you love have a wonderful New Year. ❤️🤗🦋🥰

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  3. You are a beautiful human being inside and out.. look at the love in that photo.. so blessed to know you darling, children are such precious gifts I just know you nurture and love them with everything in you.. Looking forward to continuing and deepening friendship in 2022. <3 <3 <3

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    1. Oh how very kind Deborah. I too look forward to our friendship continuing and growing this year. Thank you for your kind words about my family. I am very grateful for each and every one of them. I wish they were not so far away. Sending big hugs and lots of love my dear friend. Love ❤️ Joni 🤗🦋🥰🙏

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  4. And its also why I give to Unicef. . if each one of us even gave the price of cup of coffee a week that would help them … we must try to remember so many of our so called ‘problems’ are just first world problems.

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    1. It doesn’t surprise me that you give to try and help others. There are lots of problems with our economy and distribution of wealth. Yes, there are so many that have so little and after a horrific tragedy it can be impossible for those individuals on their own. Thank you for pointing that out as no child should have to go to bed hungry. Thank you dear Deborah. Sending you hugs, love and prayers. Love you, Joni ❤️🤗🦋🥰

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      3. I do I am feeling so much love and grace today. something deep shifted within me yesterday and I am so grateful for all of my pain because in feeling it I learned so much more about love.. hugs and love and much appreciation, soul sister <3

      4. Dearest soul sister what a wonderful thing to hear. You have blessed me by sharing this. I am so grateful. God has his time and his ways. Trust is such an important thing with ACoA’s. I have trust issues that I am still working on. I love the title of your blogging site. It is like emerging when you get some time living life and you can find people that have experienced many of the same feelings. This is great news sweetheart. Please take good care of yourself and please allow yourself to love your family if they are unkind but it doesn’t mean you have to like them. Praying for them may be the greatest kindness you can give to them. None of my sisters went into counseling and I think that was a mistake. I was blessed to have a job that covered so many sessions. It really did help me. I am grateful that I am loved, have shelter, food on the table, water, my limbs, senses but most of all God and Jesus love me and are with me. I know you love God also dear friend. Have a blessed night sweet soul sister. Love you Deborah ❤️🦋

  5. Beautifully written….we all should be grateful to see this new day , this new year after all we have gone through last year…we should pay back by helping those who r not so fortunate like this…loved your thoughts

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    1. Thank you and you are so right. This year has been a different and difficult one for most people. We all can try and help where we can. It is true and it feels great too. Sending love to you and your family. ❤️🤗

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  6. Thanks for sharing Joni, we don’t know how fortunate we are to have the basic elements like clean water and a roof over our heads! 👍❤️😊

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    1. Yes we certainly are and we are truly blessed if we have these things, the basics. Blessings to you and your family Ken. I need to visit your site soon. Sending big hugs to you and your loved ones on this New Year. ❤️

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      1. You’re alright Joni, there’s no rush. 😁 The blogs aren’t going anywhere. 😂😂😛😛 Much love to you and yours in return! 😁❤️

      5. Cool! 👍😁 Afraid not Joni! ☹️ Was meant to be doing a reading on Thursday 30th there but it was postponed due to rising covid numbers here! ☹️ What can you do? Probably postponed till end of February.

  8. A most beautiful family and most beautiful words that you’ve written both in the poem and in the message below. You are truly blessed and your faith leads you to wisdom which is truth and thankfulness. I feel it has been a blessing to have met you and Scott and we wish you all the best in 2022. It’s time we all allow God’s word to fill the earth with peace. With our love Joni, Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you Francisco for your gracious words about my poem and my post. It means a lot to me. We feel very blessed indeed to have our wonderful and blessed family. We too feel blessed to have met you and Gül as well. You said it beautifully, “It is time we all allow God’s word to feel the earth with peace”. We send our love too. Happy New Year you two and to your friends and family as well. ❤️

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  10. Beautiful words from a beautiful human being. It’s so good to see your beautiful family. God bless them. And I hope this new year is a wonderful one for you and your loved ones. Gratefulness is the key to a satisfied life. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Terveen. I am grateful for your kindness and meeting you this New Year as well. I pray you have a beautiful year filled with love, blessings and wonderful opportunities. I love this, “Gratefulness is the key to a satisfied life.” Thank you Terveen for reading. Hugs and love to you and your family as well. ❤️

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    1. Oh thank you dear Holly. I imagine you are busy right now but I pray things settle down a lot this New Year. Happy New Year to you and yours too. By the way I sure did enjoy the beautiful collaboration done by you, Resa and beautiful photographs from Tim. I can’t seem to get into comment on Resa’s site. It was full of fun words and beautiful gowns, models, sketches and photographs from Tim. What a cleaver and fun project. Big hugs 🤗 Holly.

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      1. Thank you Joni, it’s so much fun collaborating with Those ( a barrel of fun!) two and the AGM’s . I’ve found that I can only comment or pingback Resa in the Reader. Sending lots of love and best wishes! ❤️🎈🎊

      2. Oh thank you for telling me Holly. I tried and tried yesterday and could not comment. She is very talented, you all are. I didn’t mean to leave out the precious chicks. What a special treat though. Seeing so many people collaborating in the community, it is so special. Fabulously done. Love you Holly and thank you for telling me about the reader. Such great talented folks. Happy new year. 🎊🎈🎆 big southern hugs!!! It was 78 degrees here today. ❤️🤗🦋🥰🎊🎉

      3. Indeed it was 80 here, which I love. Gigi’s Chicklets are the epitome of innocence and joy, they have taken on a whole dimension of reality! Lots of love Joni. Enjoy the day. 💛🤗🌼

      4. I certainly will kind Holly. The chicklets are precious they make smile. Lots of love to you as well Holly, and many wonderful blessings for this New Year. ❤️🤗🦋🥰

      6. You are very welcome. That is such a sweet thing to say. Thank you. Sending lots of love, hugs and prayers for safety, love you Joni ❤️❤️🦋😘🙏

  12. An inspiring post Joni. All of us need to practice more gratitude. We have a lot to be grateful for, not the least of which is the blank slate a new year provides. Happy New Year and all the best in 2022. Allan 🤗🤗

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    1. Thank you so much Allan. May you and your loved ones be blessed this year my friend. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones as well Allan. 🤗🤗🤗

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    1. Happy New Year Tim. Hope you two had time to have a bit of fun. Thank you so much. I am so grateful for my family. It was such a wonderful thanksgiving being able to go to WA and spend time with them. The grandchildren have grown so fast. May you both be blessed with health, happiness, and lots of love. ❤️

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  14. Dear Joni, and family, I wish for you a healthy, happy and beautiful new year. Thank you for the love you put out into this world. May it circle around and return to you multiplied and with gratitude. ❤️

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    1. Dear wise one what a beautifully kind comment. You have truly touched my heart ❤️. I also wish wonderful blessings of health, happiness and peace for you Colleen and all those you love. I look forward to a lot more shared mountain climbing and wisdom from you. ❤️love Joni

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    1. Oh thank you Tim, you are so thoughtful and kind to me. Yes, they are a wonderful blessing to us. Happy New Year to you and your family Tim. ❤️love and blessings to you and yours as well. 🤗🦋

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  16. You have such a beautiful and loving family, Joni ❤️ We’re blessed indeed to have those that we love and who love us, along with not only the basic necessities in life that so many don’t enjoy. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family, my friend 🎉🎊 sending love and blessings!

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    1. Good morning dearest Jill. I have been thinking of you. I see you have your handsome son back for a while until he is back in college and playing hockey. Thank you for all your kind words. I know this has been a very hard year for both you and your family this year. I pray that God will bless your entire family with good health, love, peaceful times and time with friends too. Let’s talk as soon as your son heads back. Scott and I both have been thinking of you and your sweet family. ❤️🤗🦋

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    1. Thank you John and Happy New Year to you and yours my friend. Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart, for your endless support and kindness throughout this past year. I pray that we are all able to get out and visit with others more freely in the near future. Stay safe, and I am sending my love. Joni

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  18. Dear Joni, you are the kindest, most talented person I have ever known. I love your poetry, even if sometimes I have to read it twice to get the full meaning. It sometimes brings tears to my eyes and know that some of the things we share in common, but I am trying to be a better person. You encourage me. Love to you and your lovely family and hope the new year brings much more success.

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    1. Well you have left me speechless. That is such a compliment and coming from such a prolific and beautiful writer, it is truly so touching Brenda. I am floored seriously by your comments. Thank you so much again, and I’m so grateful that I got to meet you here among this community. I also wish you and your loved ones health, happiness, blessings, and many wonderful new stories and books in your future. ❤️🤗🦋🥰 love you, Joni

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    1. Sweet daughter you and your family are such a blessing in our lives. Thank you so much for pulling everything together so we could see you all. Blessings honey, I love you please give everyone a squeeze. ❤️🤗🦋🥰 your Mamacita

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    1. Thank you so much, what kind things to say and they mean a lot. Yes we have so much to be grateful for and I appreciate your kind words. Sending big hugs and lots of love. Joni oxoxoxox

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  21. Beautiful poem and post dear Joni🌸💕You have a beautiful family, wishing you and your loved ones blessings in abundance and a happy and wonderful 2022❤️

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    1. Oh thank you dear Tiffany. I am so grateful for your sweet comment. I certainly wish the same for yours as well. Sending big hugs and lots of love. xoxoxoxoxo Joni

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  23. Oh Joni,
    I sooooo love seeing your daughter and hubby and your 3 beautiful grandchildren! Thanks so much for sharing them with us and of course your beautiful poem that always inspires.

    Big love and many hugs my dear friend that’s closer than far and Happy New Year !💖💖💖

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    1. Dearest friend, thank you so much for reading my poem and commenting. I really do appreciate it. I wanted to congratulate you on being a regular contributor on MasticadoresUSA. You poem was beautiful. Hope all is well, I know you are swamped but it is good to see your writing, what a blessing for you, the magazine and its readers. Love you too my friend. xoxoxoxoxoxo

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      1. Oh it’s a pleasure dear and you always brighten my day with your visit! I also loved something else you wrote but couldn’t comment there. Awww thanks so much, I’m thrilled and am looking forward to it. It is a blessing and you guessed it.. swamped is the word but all good. YOU are a gem of a friend and I so much appreciate you my dear. Love you so! 💖💖💖🙏🙏🌈🌈🌈

      2. Thank you Cindy. I am enjoying reading your lovely poetry. Blessings to you my dear friend. I truly am enjoying your poetry. Beautifully done. Big hugs to you. Love and hugs sweetie. 🤗❤️🦋💋🥰

      6. I know right, I have to go into the reader on the computer because so many of my comments keep ending up in my pending. I have been so busy as I can only imagine how busy you are my friend. I don’t know how you do it with so many clients and your poetry now on MasticadoresIndia, which is simply beautiful by the way. I am a regular contributor with MasticadoresIndia and am so grateful to be there and want both of the US or english branches of this beautiful magazine to do so well. It is such a blessing to be published. It makes me feel good to know that people are reading my work. I miss my little emojis when I am on my computer though. I am way overdue for a visit to your site my not so far away friend. Stay safe Cindy and all of your sweet family. Big hugs and lots of me love coming your way!!! xoxoxo

      7. oh sweetie.. that was met for a knowing shrug and another XO. It was my way of saying “we’ve got this” 🤣 Clearly we don’t. ehhhhh i know I wonder too girl.
        I’m on MasticadoresUsa and I didn’t realize you were regular on MastacadoresIndia. I kept looking for your name!!! VERY COOL and Congratulations! YAY.. sooooo awesome and what is the magazine? I’m so confused 🤣 but grateful to write and connect with others and spread our word and theirs.
        SUCH A BLESSING IS RIGHT!
        You need the computer with the emojis but I rarely scroll just use what’s in front of me.
        I do know what you mean. HAHAHAH i feel you 💖🌷🌟🌈
        Ok love.. not to worry.. I know you’ll visit when time permits and remember we’re on the bestie list so friends close at hearts send emojis and a few words.. That should be our NY Goal 🤣🤣🤣 Love you my dear closer than far friend! xoxoxox thanks for the love and hugs! 💖👏🙏🙏

      8. You are so sweet Cindy. Thank you for the congratulations, I am very happy about Terveen asking me to be a regular contributor. It is an honor. I am sorry if I confused you about “the magazine.” What I was trying to say is that Gobblers/Masticadores was founded by Juan re crivello. So he also started many other magazines under his umbrella in many Countries. The latest two as far as I know are the two you and I have been blessed to participate in. Does that help? Because of the translator we can read pieces written in many different languages. Yes I am glad to have you on my Bestie list. I have really enjoyed your work Cindy. I get to read you there which is so nice. Have a wonderful evening my friend and thank you for your sweet comment. Love you, Joni ❤️🤗🦋🥰🌹😘🎉🎊

      9. It’s my pleasure of course. How fun is that and that is awesome. Terveen is a sweetheart and so talented. I see. I do know Juan is the man behind the scenes which is awesome and wonderful it is bridging so many countries. I do love that and i’m honored to share this profound honor with you dearest… You’re most welcome dearest.. I see you have your phone back 🤣💖👏👏👏❤️🌈🌷

      10. Haha I know I must say we ladies like our emoji’s. Thank you Cindy. Have a beautiful evening. Love you, Joni 🤗❤️🦋🥰😘 my husband has dinner ready so I am signing off.

    1. Oh thank you so much for your very gracious words Resa. My family is dear and thank you for your sweet words. I hope you have a truly blessed week. Hugs 🤗 and love Joni

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  25. Such beauty in your words and the shining faces of your family.. You are a gem and wherever you go, people close to you sparkle too. Congratulations dearest on being a regular contributor On MasticadoresIndia.. That is a great honor and they chose well when they chose a poet such as you..so full of compassion,wisdom and an inspiration to all. Big hugs and keep inspiring us all! Love and my very best always for you beautiful soul…Karima ❤️🤗🙏🌹🦋

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    1. Oh thank you dear Karima you say the sweetest things and they are always so uplifting to me. I am honored to be a regular contributor at MasticadoresIndia. You are so talented Karima and the art you do is so beautifully done with all the accompanying visuals. Love to you Karima and sending blessings. I think you and I are a like in many ways. Love you, Joni 🤗❤️🦋

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  26. What a great way to start the year
    with words of love and good cheer,
    rather than paranoia and fear.
    What’s more, a family to inspire
    by their example of loving care.

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    1. Oh David how kind of you. What a beautiful poem you wrote as well. This is very special and touches my heart. Thank you and your loving family. You two have a blessed Sabbath, love and blessings to you both. ❤️🤗🙏Joni

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  27. Ohhhhhhhhhhh. THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! You sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, SWEET, WONDERFUL Angel!!! Thank You for sharing Your amazing family and these astoundingly mind-blowing words. I’m overwhelmed. I love You. Thank YOU!!!! for all You and Yours gift this world!!! Sending the HUGEST hugs Your way!!! 🤗💖😊🦋💕🐬💖😊🙏🏼!!!

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    1. Thank you sweetheart. I am so glad you are back. You deserve a special life because you are someone kind, thoughtful, creative and beautiful inside an out. Love you sweetie. ❤️🤗🦋

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