Sunday 1 May 2011

A Hint Of Sunshine.


To the west, I see the setting sun.  A hint of sunshine, obscured by clouds.  And through my cloudy mind, I see my hint of sunshine, of better times to come.
Off to the west, far, far away, is the land that was once my home.  Soon, very soon, this man, this reluctant recluse, will return to his other life, a life he almost forgot.  Here, I sit alone, alone and oh so scared.  Almost all I treasured, vanished with no answers to my questions of why it had to be.  I return a humbled man.  A man ravaged by a mental illness that pursued me, cornered me, almost killed me.
Yet, despite it all, I return as a man who knows that the hint of sunshine in my cloudy mind, grows ever brighter.  Through the murky and foreboding clouds, the reassuring glow of the warm rays of hope, will be treasured, will be nurtured, will see me through the most important journey of my life.   Indeed, a hint of sunshine, of better times to come.


And, most fittingly and thoughtfully, I have received the 'sunshine award' from Madeleine over at this wonderful site:  Scribble and Edit    If you have not had the delight and pleasure of visiting Madeleine's site, I would highly recommend that you kindly do so.  There, you will discover her superb haikus, poems, prose and interest excerpts on her interactive site.  Thank you, Madeleine, I am very grateful for this timely award.
I shall now forward this award onto three bloggers who may do with it as they so wish.

1.  Reverie Sanctuary :  My dear friend, Shanaz, writes beautifully and her stories are poignant, moving, uplifting.  A ray of sunshine.
2.  DC RELIEF :  Dixie, over at her wonderful and thoughtful site, has been of great support and encouragement to me through some very dark times.  For her kindness, I'm most grateful.  A ray of sunshine.
3.  W. M. Morrell's Musings From Down Under. :  Although Wendy, at this interesting and informative, superbly written blog, is not blogging, just now, due to her concentrating on her writing, I want to thank her for all her inspiration and encouragement in my ongoing writing endeavours.  I am most thankful to you.  A ray of sunshine.
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47 comments:

  1. THE SNEE1 May 2011 at 01:07

    I needed a bit of inspiration. I thank you for that bit of sunshine Gary. Truly I do.

    Another Trophy for the case too! Congratulations you fun ray of light.

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  2. KimT1 May 2011 at 01:16

    Beautiful, inspiring, uplifting - yep, a ray of sunshine for those of us in the midst of cloudy days. Thank you, Gary, and congratulations(once again)!

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  3. Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns)1 May 2011 at 01:23

    Lovely words, providing a hint of sunshine to us all.

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  4. LilPixi1 May 2011 at 02:45

    That was amazing, Gary. =)
    So much love.
    You are indeed a ray of sunshine & an inspiration to us all.

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  5. Grandpa1 May 2011 at 02:56

    MY ALARM WENT OFF! You see, I planned for a looong snooze after completing the Challenge - but what I did was to set up the alarm in case Gary or Penny writes a new post, and... VOILA!

    Congratulations on yet another Award my friend. Yes, I know Madeleine and her super blog very well, as I do know most of those you passed the Award to - well done y'all! (Always wanted to use that plural for 'you').

    Have a peaceful weekend my friend. Thanks for the sunshine.

    Grandpa
    Life on The Farm

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  6. bazza1 May 2011 at 05:54

    Vancouver is beckoning you. Enjoy GasTown, enjoy Granville Island, enjoy Stanley Park but y'all come back now, eh?
    I don't when you're leaving Gary, but I really hope that this trip is everything you hope for and more!
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  7. David1 May 2011 at 06:12

    Dear Gary,
    I know you are feeling a little trepidatious about your forthcoming visit away, but I hope and believe all will turn out well for you. I think you deserve a little time away from it all to recharge the old batteries, as 'twere.
    And, another bloody award. Where are you going to put them all, Gary. I would make a suggestion, but you may be offended. But then again, I know it takes a lot to offend you, my good mate.
    Wishing you all the best and a safe and pleasant trip,
    David.

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  8. Anonymous1 May 2011 at 10:47

    Congratulations on winning the Sunshine award.
    May the sun continue to glow ever brighter in your life.

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  9. Old Kitty1 May 2011 at 10:52

    Yay for your Sunshine award! Enjoy the warmth, brightness and the promise of peaceful, happier times ahead!!

    Take care
    x

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  10. Rebecca1 May 2011 at 11:49

    love the opening of this post beautiflly written and congrats

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  11. Samantha Vérant1 May 2011 at 13:01

    Another award? Another award? I can't keep up. You are a pocket (a pocket) a pocket full of sunshine...

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  12. klahanie1 May 2011 at 15:43

    Hi THE SNEE,
    And thank you for all your sunny thoughts and inspiration :)
    And indeed, another award for me, yes me! I'm so not worthy :)
    Thanks Rebecca and take very good care of yourself and your loved ones.
    In kindness and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. klahanie1 May 2011 at 15:46

    Hi CindyLu,
    Thank you for such heart warming words:) We are all in this together.
    And thanks for the congrats on me receiving such a thoughtful and timely award from Madeleine.
    In kindness and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. klahanie1 May 2011 at 15:48

    Hi Raining Acorns,
    Thank you and may me all embrace those hints of sunshine and bask in the warm, positive glow :)
    In kindness and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Botanist1 May 2011 at 15:48

    Well, I hope the sun shines ever stronger after the long winter in your life, and I hope your return to Canada is everything you wished for. In this neck o'the woods I can confirm that the sun is out in your honour this weekend, Sir Gary.

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  16. klahanie1 May 2011 at 15:55

    Hey LilPixi,
    Thank you so much. And, you know, you are one of the most awesome and inspiring ladies I have the privilege of interacting with:)
    Warm wishes and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:17

    Howdy Grandpa,
    Aha, thanks for waking me up EH! :)
    My friend, well done for completing that exhausting and hopefully inspiring challenge. Despite my satirical, bordering on cynical view on it, I hope y'all had a good time :)
    Hmmmm..maybe Penny can write when I'm gone for five weeks. What do you think about that Penny? 'Arf, arf...we shall see..'
    Thank you for the congrats on the bewildering fact that my shy, unassuming blog would be bestowed yet another award.
    For sure, Madeleine is a star :) And well done 'y'all to those three I passed it onto. In fact, well done to 'y'all, y'all :)
    Here's hoping you had a sunny weekend in your heart :)
    A ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:23

    Hi Joylene,
    Thank you and thank you for your sunny support and encouragement.
    And thank you for the congrats for getting that lovely award. It was beautifully timed :)
    I have a very good feeling about my trip over to Canada. Just knowing how well the 'parades in my honour' are coming along, fills my heart with sunny joy.
    Thank you, Joylene. Kind wishes and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:28

    Hi bazza,
    Yes sir, Vancouver calls my name, eh:) And the beaches call my name, English Bay, Spanish Banks, Kitsilano and ummm..Wreck beach...
    I am leaving on Saturday May 7 and shall delight and entertain the good people of British Columbia until June 11 :)
    Thank you for your well wishes, bazza. It means a great deal.
    Take care eh and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

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  20. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:37

    Dear David,
    Cheers, my friend. I am staying clearly focused on all the positive aspects on what will be more than just another holiday, but, I just know, the most important journey of my life.
    I was thinking of sticking my awards in a place where the sun doth shine :) You are thoroughly decent chap and I thank you kindly for your well wishes.
    Take care eh and here's an extra ray of sunshine, your way, Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  21. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:40

    Hi mybabyjohn,
    Thanks for the congratulations on the
    I my receiving the 'sunshine award'. I appreciate that.
    And may the sunshine warm your heart with positive thoughts :)
    Kind wishes and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:52

    Hi Old Kitty,
    Yay, for sure eh :) And thanks, I shall embrace the positive warmth of the sunny days ahead.
    Warm wishes and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary
    x

    ReplyDelete
  23. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:55

    Hi becca,
    Thanks for your very kind words and for the congrats. Much appreciated :)
    Warm and sunny wishes, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. klahanie1 May 2011 at 16:59

    Howdy, Her highness, Samantha Vérant,
    Yes indeed, yet another award. I shall print them out on a 'Xerox' machine. 'Do you copy?':)
    "a pocket full of sunshine..." Aha, I guess I must be wearing 'hot pants':)
    Take care, my friend and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

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  25. klahanie1 May 2011 at 17:03

    Hi Ian,
    Thank you for such warm and profound words. I've been receiving weather reports about the better weather you have finally got and thank goodness for that :)
    I'm not sure if I can get over to the Island, but I shall let you know if it's possible. Cheers, my friend. Oh, by the way, I turned down a knighthood:)
    Take good care, eh, Gary :)

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  26. Anonymous1 May 2011 at 21:52

    Very sweet of you to think of me, Gary. And just what I needed on a rainy day whilst being snowed under with a mountain of papers - a little bit of sunshine. The horizon, indeed moved that bit closer :)

    Thank you, my friend :)

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  27. Jemi Fraser2 May 2011 at 00:50

    Congrats on the Sunshine award - well deserved :)

    Coming home is always good - or it should be! Best wishes in your journey!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sharon K. Mayhew2 May 2011 at 13:49

    Beautiful photo, Gary! I know you are going to have a lovely time in Canada. Sometimes we have to go back in our lives so we can move forward. My Dad would say that you are getting rid of your ghosts. When I went back to England several years ago, we went out of our way to drive by the house we lived in when we were a family in the early 1970's. It was hard for me, but I am so glad I went...


    You will be just fine, Gary! I know you will. <3

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  29. SprigBlossoms2 May 2011 at 21:19

    Congratulations on your much deserved award, Gary! You carry a lot of sunshine with your personality : )

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  30. Kelly2 May 2011 at 21:32

    I sincerely hope that rays of sunshine through the sometimes dark clouds of uncertainty, depression and perhaps times of loneliness continue to grow brighter for you, my friend. By now you've like made your trip back to Canada. Hope it was safe, peaceful and uneventful. You deserve this award not only because of the tough times you've encountered but the ability to see the positivity through it all and give hope and give rays of sunshine to all of us who interact with you when we need it the most. I'll be sure to revisit your blog friends in our ever-widening, supportive community. I wish you nothing but the best and peace of mind, Gary. And remember, I'm only an email away if you want to interact. In the meantime, I'll see you on Farcebook and on my blog- when I come back to it in a week. Be well, my valued friend and welcome back.

    ReplyDelete
  31. klahanie2 May 2011 at 21:44

    Hi Wendy,
    My friend, you have been an inspiring ray of sunshine and your kind words in regards to my writing has been most appreciated.
    And if this posting was a sunny tonic on a rainy day, then that's one heck of a positive outcome :)
    Wendy, here's to your dream becoming that beautiful reality.
    In kindness and some extra British sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. klahanie2 May 2011 at 21:47

    Hi Jemi Fraser,
    How's it goin' eh? Couldn't resist, because I'm practising for Canada eh! :)
    Thanks for the congrats on the award. Very kind of you.
    Thanks for your kind wishes in regards to my trip home. I'm sure it will be awesome. All those parades in my honour...shucks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. klahanie2 May 2011 at 21:54

    Hi Sharon,
    Hey, thanks for liking my photo. It looks real neat if anyone wants to click on it.
    I'm sure I will have a lovely time over in Canada. And I know what you mean about to past roots, or as your dad noted 'getting rid of your ghosts'. Last time I was there, I went back to the house my now ex wife and I, lived in. That was surreal and somewhat painful.
    All in all, my trips back are very meaningful and poignant. This one, I sense, will be the most poignant of all.
    Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Sharon.
    Kind wishes and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. klahanie2 May 2011 at 21:56

    Hi SprigBlossoms,
    Thank you kindly for the congratulations on the award. And thank you for such a warm and sunny comment. It means so very much.
    In peace and sunshine wishes, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. klahanie2 May 2011 at 22:16

    Hi Kelly,
    I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. Indeed, I do and I know you do, try to embrace the positive possibilities that are there beyond the occasional cloudy sky.
    As I'm typing this, I'm still in England. I know this because the keyboard is on the opposite side of the desk. I shall be taking off on yes, 'Blog Air', on Saturday May 7 and shall be delighting and thrilling Canada until June 11. However, I can always reread your comment when I get there and it will be correct :)
    Thanks man for your kind words in regards to me receiving that award. I do try to be positive and understanding towards others within the genuine aspects of the great blogging community. And yes, may this sincere, caring and kind section, continue to spread and grow in strength. Kelly, you are one of the most supportive and encouraging bloggers I know and it's my great privilege to consider you as a friend.
    I'm going to attempt another posting before I go. See how many folks I can bore with my crap. When I'm in Canada, time permitting, I shall continue our interaction via emails, comments and yes, good old 'Fartbook' or 'Farcebook' or 'Fakebook' or whatever it's called.
    Kelly, enjoy your well deserved break from blogging. Thanks friend.
    Kind wishes and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Alex J. Cavanaugh3 May 2011 at 01:19

    Congratulations on the award. And sorry I missed following you back! Crap, hate it when that happens...

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  37. joanne3 May 2011 at 02:48

    shine on :)

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  38. Misha Gerrick3 May 2011 at 07:24

    Looks like I chose a good day to visit. This was such an inspiring post. Congrats on the award and keep fighting to bring the sunshine out. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  39. klahanie3 May 2011 at 22:14

    Hi Alex,
    Hey dude, thanks for the congratulations.
    Nice of you to visit and I hope 'y'all have as much fun with the alphabet, next year! :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. klahanie3 May 2011 at 22:20

    Hi joanne,
    "shine on :)"

    Or maybe, in my case, according to the lyrics of a Pink Floyd song,
    "You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
    Shine on you crazy diamond."
    :)

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  41. klahanie3 May 2011 at 22:23

    Hi Misha,
    Any day is a good day to have a visit from your good self:)
    Thanks for your kind words and for the congrats on my award.
    Take care and happy writing.
    A ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. shanaz@RS4 May 2011 at 17:12

    Thank you, dearest Gary of Canada for presenting to me the Sunshine Award. I am so touched by your generous and kind gesture that I'm smiling like a silly fool right now. I always get tons of awards from you (okay more like two or three,hee hee) that I am more than often rendered speechless! My shyness baffles me. We all need a ray of sunshine, and when it comes to the world of bloggers, it's comforting to know someone somewhere is wishing us well. My humble gratitude goes to you for continuously being that ray of sunshine even when it gets a little dark sometimes. Sending you the most potent positive thoughts from All the way in the corner of the South East Asia.

    I blabbed too much, didn't I. Okay, okay, I'll take the award and go already. :D

    ReplyDelete
  43. klahanie4 May 2011 at 22:49

    Dearest Shanaz,
    It was indeed my honour to bestow the Sunshine award to such a sunny lady :) And that's not the smile of a 'silly fool'. Tis the smile of a kind and caring person :)
    We sure do need a ray of sunshine. Even a hint of light through our darkened times. I know that you, like me, embraces the sharing and caring aspects of the blogging community. Shanaz, I'm grateful for your positive radiance and your inspiration. It means so very much.
    May we all be here for each other. My dear friend, thank you for those potent positive thoughts, all the way from Malaysia. And, all the way from England, and soon, Canada, I send you peaceful, positive wishes. Enjoy your award and keep smiling, eh :)
    In kindness and a ray of sunshine, your way, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Dixie@dcrelief6 May 2011 at 06:55

    An emotive piece but I know you'll have great fun in Canada.

    Of all the blogs you read, I feel humbled to receive the 'Sunshine Award'. Thank you!!

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  45. klahanie6 May 2011 at 12:50

    Hi Dixie,
    Thank you and I'm sure my trip to Canada will be fun and very profound on many different emotional levels.
    And of all the blogs I read, Dixie, your blog, your ray of sunshine, the kind lady beyond my computer screen, has been very supportive and encouraging of me. For that, I am truly grateful. And thus, it was my pleasure to bestow the 'Sunshine Award' to you.
    May your positivity continue to grow in strength.
    With sincere respect and kindness, Gary :)

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  46. Anonymous8 May 2011 at 15:48

    You are welcome Gary, well deserved. :O)

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  47. klahanie9 May 2011 at 16:02

    Hi Madeleine,
    And thank you very much for that most timely and thoughtful award :)
    In kindness and peaceful wishes, from Canada, Gary :)

    ReplyDelete

I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.

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