Tom Atkins' lovely poem 'Ivy' set me thinking about my favourite ivy, Goldheart. (Hedera helix 'Goldheart' if you like your Latin!) As well as admiring the plant, I've always loved the name. Goldheart! Heart of Gold ... It conjures up all good things: kindness, generosity, loyalty, inner beauty, love.
My train of thought has continued on to remember the many 'Goldhearts' in my life.
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I am keenly aware of the recession and economic trials currently on planet Earth, so my focus has been on people who have helped me at times of extreme economic pressure in my own life.
When Maureen and I have gone through hardship, unable even to buy food, there have been Goldhearts. Folk who have brought provisions ... It has seemed quite significant that these were not often from the comfortably off or the wealthy. On the contrary, many could be referred to as the 'have nots'. Yet they shared what they had: half a loaf of bread ... some fruit ... cereal ...
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In those dark times they shone like beacons - and they will always continue to do so in my memory and in my heart.
Sometimes it is a word of encouragement or affirmation that is given. When my neck is wilting at the obstacles on a chosen path, the word 'Yes!' can make me stand up straight and stick my neck out for my dreams once more!
'Yes, I know you will make it through!' ... 'Yes, you have what it takes!'
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At other times what we may need to sustain us is beauty. Beauty in nature, inner beauty, the beauty of art.
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One of my very favourite blog posts, which made me cry many tears of joy, is 'Beauty' by L. Rochelle at Two Ghosts.
Gold in the pocket is very nice . Gold in the heart is beyond price.******One whole year of blogging!
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On 3rd March I will have been blogging for a year! Most of you will not have read my earlier posts, as I didn't enable the Comments facility until around December. If you would like to read my first post, on March 3rd 2008, click on The Escape of a Giraffe Accountant!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed the year - but by far the most fun has been meeting all of you wonderful bloggers, reading your posts and exchanging comments. Thank you dear bloggy friends!
55 comments:
The best Goldhearts are those you discover by accident.
What a totally wonderful caring post. I love the GoldHeart AND the Ivy.....Raph... you are just as special as my spirit thought
THANKS
Linda
What an inspiring post today! Thank you for bringing the important things back into perspective! I now have a spring in my step!
Hurrah for you, Raph! Your decision to start Giraffe World Tours and tell us all about your life has certainly brought a lot of fun and happiness to your blogger friends. Keep it up!
This is so true, Barbara!
(And it applies to plants too - some of my best plants are ones which must have grown from seeds dropped by birds or the wind!)
Thank you so much Linda! I shall be walking with my neck held high today!
Hello Janet, and thank you!
I'm glad and honoured that you now have a spring in your step!
Fun and happiness! Thank you Derrick - I'm up to the neck in giraffe gleefulness to know my blogger friends enjoy my posts!
Congratulations on your first blogoversary! I would have to say that you are a Goldheart here in the bloggyhood!
Beautiful post!
Thank you Willow! And thank you so much for the wonderful compliment, I am very moved and honoured.
How lucky you are to have so many "goldhearts" in your life......here's to lots more.......again you give me pause to consider all the "goldhearts"in my life....Congrats on your 1 year anniversary!
Loving your blog. Always makes me smile and think.
Thank you Rosemary! I'm so glad you enjoy my blog, and it's good to know I make you smile!
Here's to Goldhearts everywhere!
Congratulations on your first blogging birthday! Glad you found some Goldhearts when you most needed them. You know what they say - 'It takes one to know one'. I too love Goldheart ivy, it's markings are so attractive and the shape of ivy leaves has always been a favourite. Have you noticed how the leaves of common ivy change shape as the plant matures? They become almost heart shaped on older growth, but the little pointed ones are my favourites. I lost my first comment so I hope this doesn't come up twice!
Thank you Heather, and thank you for the compliment!
I know what you mean about the leaves - the ones at the top of the plant are much larger, and often lose their gold centre.
A whole year of blogging! Congrats Raph. Hold your long neck up high. I've been through hardship too. Last Christmas we had $35 left to buy food after I had been made redundant from my Property Manager's job. Yet somehow someone must have known and we were given two huge food parcels that kept us going until we were on our feet again. I haven't forgotten what these wonderful people did for me and my girls. The images are beautiful and I hope everything works out for you guys with your new venture.
Take care
Liz
Thank you Liz, I'm glad you like the images!
Your experience is touching. I think when that sort of thing happens you look back on those times and see the warmth rather than the dark.
There'll be all kinds of Giraffe World Tours and fun coming up over the next year!
Happy Anniversary Raph.
We have a similar ivy in our garden called Paddy's pride. It adds a bit of sunshine even in the winter.
Brilliant - I too have a Goldheart - what a lovely post, Raph - you have become dear to us all. I have found two lovely giraffe poems, which I shall post shortly. You are special! Happy anniversary - one year blogging - here's to your second year.
Thank you Acorn Moon!
I have not seen Paddy's pride ivy. We have a little silver variegated ivy too. I do not know what it is called, but it also adds colour to the winter garden.
Thank you so much, Weaver, what lovely things you say! My head is in the clouds!
I look forward to reading the giraffe poems ...
Congrats on reaching a milestone! Your illustrations are superb, as usual.
Thank you Bindu! Your compliment is greatly appreciated!
"In those dark times they shone like beacons - and they will always continue to do so in my memory and in my heart."
My dear mr. NECKman; you have touched my heart! This post is pure gold. I'd be very proud to have written it. Your art is world class too - my friend Babar has nothing on YOU. Thanks for being MY bloggy friend!! Now I'm off to read that very first post. Aloha my brother.
Thank you so much for your comments, Cloudia! They really mean a lot to me. Giraffitude!
Congratulations! I think it's quite an accomplishment, Raph!
Thank you Country Girl! It's certainly been a most enjoyable year.
...and congratulations on a year of wacky and poignant postings. Love love love the Giraffe illustrations. The gratitude you have in your heart is the key to your success and why things come your way when you need them. x
"Gold in the pocket is very nice . Gold in the heart is beyond price."
This is so true and I am happy you have met people with the golden hearts around you!
Could I use your that sentence for introducing you and your blog in my site.
I publish now more photos in URL:
http://leejattas.aminus3.com
All the best for you and your family!
Thank you so much Clare! 'Wacky and poignant postings' - I like that phrase! Giraffitude!
Raph, What a great post about goldhearts! These people are so wonderful and need them from time to time and they need us.Thank you for sharing.
LeenaM - thank you! I will be most honoured if you use my sentence to introduce my blog on your site!
I will visit your leejattas site this evening and have a good look at all your beautiful photographs.
Giraffe Greetings to you and your family also!
Thank you Reader Wil! These people are indeed wonderful and a great inspiration.
Ralph, ever since you introduced me to Goldheart, I have decided to put some in the garden of my new house this spring. Thank you for the introduction!
I was truly touched to find your reference to my post on the subject of Beauty. Tears of joy for me too. What a brilliant and generous Goldheart you are!
Ivy doen't grow on my walls, but an avacado pit that I planted months ago threatens to eat my apartment. Where there's a will...
More than thanks...
Lyn
What a great post, Raph!
It's in times of real adversity that you find out who your true friends are.
Congratulations on your first anniversary in blogdom!
Tom, I hope your Goldheart flourishes well in your new garden and gives you much joy!
Thank you Lyn! Your post has been such an inspiration.
An apartment-eating avocado! Will it bear fruit? We once had an eccremocarpus in a pot indoors, and it curled its little tendrils all the way up the net curtains, proving impossible to move!
Thank you Chris!
What you say is so true, and I love my friends dearly.
What a lovely tribute to all the Goldhearts in your life and it made me think of the many that I have also met along my way.
Eleanor, thank you. There are many wonderful Goldhearts around.
fabulous post Raph! it seems that when we are down, we discover the best in this world! thanks for reminding me again!
Thank you Jeane! The best in your world, and the best in Giraffe World must be very similar ... Here's to the Goldhearts in all worlds!
Such a lovely golden post!
And warm congratulations on your blogging anniversary!
Thank you Pamela, much appreciated! Say 'hello' to Edward from me!
Raph, you have such a "gold" heart yourself. Your kindness shines through in your words, your humour and good nature. Anyone who can be called your friend - be it in your immediate circle, or on the blog-circuit, is a fortunate person, indeed.
I do love the Latin too!
Kat
Congratulations on your year of blogging!
Inspiring post. Interesting that you picked ivy. I know it sometimes has a bad reputation for taking over trees but when I see how many birds its berries keep alive at a time of year when there is little else food about, I think it's not such a bad plant afterall.
Thanks for visiting my blog - you're welcome any time.
Thank you so much, Poetikat! I do aspire to be kind: my friends are wonderful role models - and great fun too!
Thank you Mistlethrush! I had not thought about ivy keeping the birds alive with its berries - that is very interesting! Following that line of thought, it also provides lots of cosy nesting sites in its dense growth.
Lovely post, Raph. All I can say, in a word, is... YES! Happy Blogversary.
Many thanks, SW! We're celebrating with a Spring walk this afternoon followed by tea and cake at the Gleeful & Greedy ...
Hello again Raph,
Very fine choice... alerting folks to the beauty in Two Ghosts.
That is quite the posting.
I am delighted to hear that all is holding up well in your (arc? sector? radian?) of the heavenly spheres.
Who knew that Terra's financial woes had spread to Camelopardalis, or at least knowledge of them.
I am quite concerned for many people down here. Things are looking a bit grim, which is why it is delightful to read your post, and the post you referred us in Two Ghosts.
I also well hear your comments about who are those who give the most, not those who by objective measures are most able to share.
That truth extends beyond Giraffes into humans too.
Congratulations on a full year. I wasn't there for the full year, but I have read all of your entries.
Best wishes from a Terra, from a slightly distracted e-friend
Hello slightly distracted e-friend!
Yes, some truths seem to be universal. I learn of the woes on planet Earth by reading many blog postings and am warmed and inspired by the indomitable spirits of the bloggers who write them.
What a wonderful post, I totally enjoyed it and will now go read your first.
Thank you Sandy - I'm glad you enjoyed the post!
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