Winding Down

 Winding Down

As the old year winds down, 
and a new year begins to unfold, 
I think of ways that I can make
positive change in the upcoming days. 
Winding down,
opportunity presents itself in 
the small, seemingly insignificant daily deeds:
making coffee, tea, or other morning drink, 
teaching students unique ways to think,
exercising to keep my body in shape 
by walking, cleaning, or enjoying the landscape,
praying to God to provide me guidance 
then listening to you with your usual brilliance.
Winding down, 
I know this is right 
for positive thoughts enter my mind day and night.
‘tis good to live in this memorable way
for more days, more years will pass
when at last, we greet that spectacular 
‘One day...’

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

You can hear my reading of this by clicking HERE.

Christmas Sunset

 

Christmas Sunset, Danbury, Connecticut

Christmas Sunset

The sun retreats on this Christmas Day, 

as I reflect on: 

Peace

in my soul, praying for all who suffer 

from life's distress to find God's Peace. 

Love

in my heart, praying for those whom I love 

to see how their words have inspired me. 

Joy

in my voice, praying for the world to hear 

the music within and share this song with others.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

You can hear me recite this poem by clicking HERE. 

A Christmas Poem: Sweet Savor

This Christmas poem was written a few years ago after I overheard a woman in the grocery store concerned that she didn't have enough cloves for her hot mulled wine. (Four bottles of cloves weren't enough? Ha! Oh dear...) I think Mary spoke to me personally that day, whispering into my subconscious, "Jeanne, you have to write this.... now!"  Merry Christmas!

Painting by Andrea Solari, ca. 1507

Sweet Savor

What shall I drink? Egg nog or grog?

What did the Holy Family drink

on that holiest night of nights?

Did Mary lean over to Joseph

after giving birth to Jesus and say,

“Joseph, be a dear and pour me

another glass of Chardonnay?”

To which Joseph replied,

“Mary, Darling, all we have is

a little hot mulled wine left over

from the party last night.”

Or…

Did a father, proud

after such a long trip

offer his bride a sip

of water to give her joy

upon delivering this

beautiful, healthy Boy?

Did the baby cry

in a humble home

and look to his mother,

so beautiful and warm,

snuggle up  

to her swollen breast

and drink of the milk

from the Mother Blessed?

© Jeanne I. Lakatos 

To hear my reading of this poem, click HERE.

December 22: Feast Day of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

 “Work in me, oh adorable Heart of Jesus, because you know well how incapable I am of doing perfectly everything that you want of me." (Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini) 

This saintly woman is important to me because from birth to age 14 years, I attended the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church in Allen Park, Michigan. I was baptized, attended my First Confession, received First Holy Communion, and Confirmation there. Mother Cabrini has been an important part of my spiritual journey and I am grateful to have learned about her devotion to Jesus Christ from a very young age. 

Fourth Week of Advent

As the final week of Advent 2025 arrives, I have concluded my university obligations and finally, I have the time to enjoy the splendor of peace and preparation for the Christmas season and the beginning of a New Year. Although most of the snow has melted, we've had plenty of frigid temperatures and the meteorologists indicate that a bit of snow may be on its way. Therefore, I fill my heart and mind with gratitude for health, love, music and joy in my life as I prepare for this festive end to 2025. 

Wishing you all a blessed Holiday Season!

"Snow and Wind"

To me, the holiday season includes memories of snow and wind, family gatherings in Michigan, where, no matter how intense the weather, we always gathered at my Grandma's house to celebrate. As an adult, those memories revive with each new 'winter weather advisory,' and, with a lovely fire in the fireplace, all outside hostilities melt away.

Photos taken with my Canon SureShot in Danbury, CT

Snow and Wind

Snow speaks silently,

caresses my heart

with memories,

tickles my soul

with anticipation,

blends with ice

to generate adrenalin

focus.

Howling wind

erases impressions

with its jealous grasp

stings my cheeks

wraps around my bones.

My body shivers

to generate adrenalin

warmth.

Fire beyond the hearth

stoked with trees 

that once shaded, once housed,

once bore sparkling icicles

now draws me into its 

crackling core

to melt adrenalin

dreams.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

To hear me recite this poem, click HERE. 

Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut

(Photo from Google Images)

On a Friday morning, thirteen years ago, as I sat at my desk, grading final papers, I received word of a shooting in a town nearby. The first news indicated that there were multiple shooters and one or more were unaccounted for. Overhead, helicopters circled the university as ambulances whaled down the street to Danbury Hospital, located two blocks away from my office.

By day's end, this entire area was in mourning, for the beautiful town of Newtown was now in the history books, not as the idyllic southern New England town we all love and cherish around here, but in the same league with Aurora and Columbine, Colorado and scores of other towns over which this cloud of horror has shrouded. As the names became revealed to us, not one person in the area did not have some connection with the victims or their families. We're all in mourning in the Newtown-Danbury area, once given the title as the 'Safest town in the State.'

No further words will come to me. Please pray for peace, understanding and the power of love this holiday season.

Blessings,
Dr. Jeanne Iris