francene--blog. Year 2013
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Sept 4th

9/4/2013

 
Today, I want to delve deep inside and list my personal failure and success.

Born under the sign of Capricorn, I was always mature, sensible and optimistic. My actions were a little wild as a young teenager. I guess I was trying to make up for what I saw as boredom. Riding on the back of a motorcycle seemed like a heck of a risk but I took it willingly, thinking I'd probably die before I reached sixteen. How little I knew.

I married far too young the first time. By the time I was 23 yrs, three children had arrived to bring joy to my life. I taught them how to love and share, how every person is important, and a sense of responsibility by cleaning up rubbish on the beach. We exercised together, walked to the beach for swimming lessons, participated in community gatherings to raise awareness about the poor, and travelled everywhere on busses. My children were my life.

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I've now lived over 71 yrs, seen the death of two of my children and am separated from the third by half a revolution of the Earth. I've made so many mistakes in my life. I hope I've learned from them. However, I'm not sure what I should have taken note of so I didn't repeat the same behavior.

If I wanted to remain close to my family, I shouldn't have moved away no matter what reason drove me. I shouldn't have tried to guide my first husband. He had his own destiny.

As to success, I'm not sure what I can proclaim. 'Here is a woman who tries'. That doesn't cut it.  I've worked some wonderful embroidery, made patchwork quilts, knitted, crocheted, and spun wool. I've written poetry, composed the words and music for hundreds of songs, and published six novels so far.

How do you measure success? By money? By a sense of achievement? Perhaps you need to present a list before you can pass through the 'pearly gates'. I think my greatest success is in acknowledging the good in others.


23/09/2005  ©

YOU SHOULD BE PROUD

Lately you look so tired and downhearted

Picking yourself up when you've just started

Trying again to make everything right

After another knock gave you a fright.
~~~

You feel that life's singleing you out

Tripping, when you don't know what it's about

But when you look all about you and see

Trials are there for all, no others are free.
~~~

You should be proud of all you've accomplished

Look what's happened just because you've wished

And then worked towards achieving your dream

It's incredible, how good does that seem?
~~~

Know your hard work is appreciated

By big wide smiles, althugh it's not stated

Without your efforts nothing could go on

With joy and strife, life is a two-edged prong.
~~~

Take stock of it all and hold your head high

With extra thought the limit is the sky

Be proud of the strength to survive it all

And each time you think about it, walk tall.

Have you ever considered your greatest failure and your number one success?

Aidana WillowRaven
9/3/2013 06:26:08 pm

Very powerful post ...

Francene Stanley link
9/3/2013 06:45:35 pm

Thanks, Aidana. Painful too.

Michelle Liew link
9/3/2013 09:37:53 pm

Francene, I think you've achieved the most important success that can be measured - being a great mother and a warm, helpful person. Thanks for sharing this.

Sophie Bowns link
9/3/2013 10:08:02 pm

Hello Francene! This was a really interesting/ moving post. The poem at the end is very powerful.

Francene Stanley link
9/3/2013 10:54:02 pm

Glad my words struck something deep inside you, Sophie.

Paula link
9/3/2013 10:22:28 pm

We´ve all being touched by that poem! It seems to speak right to us and makes us feel someone "gets" us. Thank you.

Francene Stanley link
9/4/2013 03:41:41 am

I wrote that poem to my best friend in the world. I'm glad it touched something inside you too.

Amy link
9/3/2013 11:14:56 pm

Oh, Francene, this takes an enormous amount of courage to take stock of successes and failures in life, and to wonder what you might have done differently. You are a brave woman. It is evident that you have some regrets, but I admire you for facing them and putting out so much good through your writing, regardless. Isn't there any way you can see your child more often? I would think it would be an enormous comfort.

Francene Stanley link
9/4/2013 03:44:41 am

I don't think I'm corageous, Amy. I'm just being honest. What's left when you reach maturity? No way to see my daughter because flying from England to Australia is expensive and neither of us have the funds. Not sure she even wants to. However, I do.

Ashley link
9/4/2013 12:30:36 am

Very moving. Puts things into perspective for me, being a 29 y/o single mom to two kids. Keeping what's truly important in the front of my mind. Thank you for sharing, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love.

Francene Stanley link
9/4/2013 03:46:26 am

Family ties are so important. I like to imagine meeting them again when we pass the threshhold. Thank you for your good wishes, Ashley. Love your children.

Rick Bylina link
9/4/2013 04:02:15 am

"There is no try. There is only do." And you've done. Make the next 29 years build upon your legacy and entrance criteria.

Francene Stanley link
9/4/2013 07:07:25 pm

You gave me a good chuckle, Rick. Trust you to insert reality.

Barbara Boser link
9/4/2013 06:34:30 am

You are very brave to share those things. I am moved by this post as well as the poem. But yes, be proud of yourself for enduring it all.

Francene Stanley link
9/4/2013 07:09:23 pm

I guess everyone should feel pride about their experiences, learn from their mistakes, and live each day in the manner in which they want to be remembered.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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