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Youngatheart
Member

since 2003-12-30

Posts 333

0 posted 2004-01-01 07:02 PM

A Freedom So Dear

In a prison without walls
For 40 years I have been.
But I am free of this jail
And the shackles within.

For most of my life I have
Had to deal with the pain;
Of being obese- the
Brunt of jokes and distain.

But just six months ago
A life-long wish came true;
A surgery that has brought me
A world, wonderfully new.

Can this really be true?
I can be changed now forever,
With the cut of a knife
And the snip of some scissors?

They remind me, remember,
This will not be a cure
For the demons inside you
Or make your bitter heart pure.

I know, I boldly respond,
As I hide the tear from my eye.
But it has given me the tools
For this one final try.

While others still doubt me
And smirk, it is only a way
To keep from using control
And keeping wrong foods at bay.

But my family and my friends’
Supportive words help me rejoice.
They call me brave and courageous
To have made such a choice.

I wish others could see
That I still have to learn
Better eating behaviors
Cause my old stomach could return.

In one hundred eighty days,
A great hundred pound loss;
Those evil pounds far gone
To help lighten my cross.

One hundred heavy pounds!
I try carrying in my arms.
What was I thinking before
Causing my body such harm?

I cannot look back,the road
Ahead is so clear.
Things some people take for granted
Now I find so dear.

To play with my grandson
And watch him grow up.
To breath with much ease and
Walk without support.

To be able to safely drive
Anywhere I wish to go.
To enjoy picking out clothes
That will nicely fit so.

To walk into a crowded room
And not want to be-
Invisible- but with head held high,
To be proud- I am me!

To kneel before God
To offer Him prayers of thanks.
To be given this beautiful gift
And all the grace that He grants.

This is dedicated to a kind, caring and skillful surgeon, to my family and friends who continue to support me as I travel on this journey, and to my very special man whose wise words very often guide me along the right path.
I am a new member and although I have posted but only once, I have enjoyed reading the work of such talented individuals. Thank you for taking the time to read what I have written. I feel honored to be in the company of such sensitive and friendly people as you. Very sincerely, Youngatheart

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

1 posted 2004-01-01 07:05 PM

Welcome to PIP...congrats on your courage and conviction...and I look forward to your poetry.
ThisDiamond

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

2 posted 2004-01-01 07:06 PM

Dear Newest Member!

We have a male friend who recently underwent probably the same surgery as you. We helped him research, gave him encouragement, and he too went through a drastic measure. He is looking SO good! He, too, faces the same future as you - but he knows he made a difference, he continues to follow his own regime, and we couldn't be prouder of him!

Welcome to Passions!

Karilea - if I whisper, will you listen?

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

3 posted 2004-01-01 07:15 PM

Hello, and welcome to Passions!!
This is really a touching first post that you
have presented us with. Thank you for sharing
your life from your heart the way that you have
here. I believe you will like it at PIP. There is
so much love, compassions and encouragement among
our Family Of Friends who gather here.

Please check your e-mail for a special greeting
from all of us at Passions.
Hugs

Ethel/garysgirl
Moderator/Passions In Poetry

Youngatheart
Member

since 2003-12-30

Posts 333

4 posted 2004-01-01 07:29 PM

Thank you, Thisdiamond, Sunshine and garysgirl for your welcoming and very kind words.

Oooops....In the editing of my post, I did not catch an error. I meant to say "a special man" not "my special man".
-----Youngatheart

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

5 posted 2004-01-01 07:35 PM

Welcome to Passions!
And congratulations on taking a major step in your life!
I wish you all the best and lots of courage.
Please relax and enjoy yourself here...
you are among friends.
Keep us posted as to how you are doing.

~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

In the midst of winter..
I found there lives within me,
an invincible summer.

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

6 posted 2004-01-01 11:06 PM

Enjoyed your inspiring first post!

Greeneyes

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-09-09

Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind

7 posted 2004-01-01 11:17 PM

Hi and Welcome

you fit in nicely here, I hope you enjoy your time....I will look forward to more from you....

Kindly

Lauren~

~~**~~
This morning theres a calm I cant explain
By the time I recognize this moment it will be gone,
I will bend light pretending it lingers on

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

8 posted 2004-01-02 12:01 PM

Wonderful write and welcome to passions, my friend. Not to belittle your success, or be the devil's advocate, as I do know it's helped an awful lot of people, but my neighbor across the street underwent the same surgey several months ago and almost died shortly thereafter because her colon had been nicked and was draining into her abdominal cavity. They finally reopened her and found the problem but she was in intensive care for about 2-1/2 months, and stayed in the hospital a month or two after that. She is home now and Still recovering - though much weight has already been lost.

Also, my son's high school buddy had the surgery, and almost died when infection set in. But he's really happy, even with all the pain and worry he went through - he's lost well over a hundred pounds and is on his way to buy even more new clothes.

I did want others to understand there are risks...as in any surgery.

Stick with it....you have me behind you...

jwesley

[This message has been edited by jwesley (01-02-2004 12:02 AM).]

Krawdad
Member Elite

since 2001-01-03

Posts 2597

9 posted 2004-01-02 12:27 PM

Welcome to the place!
I think you will enjoy it here.
Your willingness to share will be well received.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

10 posted 2004-01-02 02:57 AM

awesome piece of work...the poem and you! Congrats on your achievement and Welcome to Passions!

Munda
Member Elite

since 1999-10-08

Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands

11 posted 2004-01-02 04:43 AM

Awesome achievement - Wonderful poem

LngJhnAg
Member Elite

since 1999-07-23

Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion

12 posted 2004-01-02 07:35 AM

Nicely written, Youngster. Good luck on your new life.

It is my sad, sad duty that I must warn you (as nobody else was brave and courageous like me) that there are two scalawags here that cannot be trusted like me. Whereas I tell other people's initimate secrets to only my closest group of 100 or so friends, Balladeer and Toerag (the two rascals) have no friends, but if they did, I'm sure they would blab your secrets immediately. I can't prove this, but I have my suspicions *insert knowing nods here*. Don't let their excellent poetry writing skills fool you!

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

13 posted 2004-01-02 01:44 PM

YoungAtHeart~
What a beautiful testimony to LIFE~

'I cannot look back,the road
Ahead is so clear.
Things some people take for granted
Now I find so dear.'

This says it ALL~
Blessings to you as you continue on your way in good health~

WELCOME TO PASSIONS~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram
[email protected]

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

14 posted 2004-01-03 12:23 PM

Congratulations on your new life! Truly, there is no one who could understand the pain and bitterness 40 years of teasing, stares, words, lost opportunities can cause -- it is so sad we humans judge with our eyes. Happy for you........jo

Youngatheart
Member

since 2003-12-30

Posts 333

15 posted 2004-01-03 06:43 AM

Everyone...I appreciate all your positive comments but I especially value your words of support for my continued weight loss. Thank you for understanding how really life changing this has been for me ... and how truly happy it has made me.

Long John, thanks for the warning about Toerag and Balladeer. I have read some writings from all three of you and you are all talented, creative and EXTREMELY PASSIONATE. I do have to say that when I read the words of this romanesque pirate, I do swoon and get a little, well... .

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

16 posted 2004-01-11 06:17 PM

I must have missed your first posting and want to say how wonderful for your accomplishment so far and I hope you continue on your path.

I can tell you are happy with the results...

well written poem
~smiling~
Maureen

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