What's in My Heart? Volume Ii

By Esther B. Jimenez

French philosopher and writer Voltaire, once said, Poetry is the music of the soul, and,
above all, of great and feeling souls. Poetry has the unique ability to grasp the inner
reaches of our soul, through the unique life experiences of the author. Whats In My
Heart - Volume II, has beautifully and authentically done just like that- searched the
recesses of our soul. If you are in search of an anthology of well-crafted and thought
-provoking vignettes about real life struggles with GOD always by your side, this book is a
must have.
Dr. Marc Alan Brunelle
Minister of Liturgy & Music
St. Marcelline Catholic Church
Schaumburg, Illinois

WHAT MATTERS MOST?
What matters most is how we treat people
What matters most is how we live our lives
What matters most is how we say things
What matters most is, to have peace in our hearts.
We are blessed people of GOD
We are indeed created in GODs Image
We have our Blessed Mother to intercede
We have our LORD JESUS who redeems our sins.
We have the holy angels who sing for us
We have the holy saints whom we invoked
We have the Holy Spirit at our side
How amazing this life is
And thats what matters most
How about youwhat matters in your life most?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465336729

Esther B. Jimenez

My name is Esther B. Jimenez, a Depression Survivor. I had been writing books with different genre. I never expected to have the courage to write something too personal and have the audacity to share such in public. For me, this is a subtle confession with more than two ears to listen and more than a pair of eyes to read this, What’s in it for me, book. It is easier to be in a confessional box, telling my inner, deeper secrets to a priest. But with my self-less desire I am open and ready to share my struggles and success in climbing up way up high.

Book preview

What’s

In My

Heart?

Volume II

A COLLECTION OF INSPIRATIONAL

POEMS AND POETRY SPOKEN

FROM THE AUTHOR’S HEART

Esther B. Jimenez

Copyright © 2011 by Esther B. Jimenez.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4653-3671-2

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4653-3672-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

Interior Images and Cover Design By Esther B. Jimenez

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

101198

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

FOREWORD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER I INSPIRATIONAL INSIGHTS

God’s Call

What Matters Most?

The Angel

Self-Discipline

Evangelization

Detachment

Blaming

The Divinity

The Lighthouse

The Holy Spirit

Chastity

Dreams

The Road To Happiness

Struggle

Judge Not

The Silent Thief

The Portrait

The Star Of My Life

Holiness

The Pathway To Holiness

Living In Poverty

Spiritual Journey

Spiritual Reality

Spiritual Hospitality

Spiritual Connection

In Darkness

If… Is One Powerful Word

The Saints

The Centurion Creed

Fear

Walk The Talk

Lifetime

Decision

Toast To The Memories

Numbers

God Is Enough

The Now

The Moment Of Truth

The First Gift

Recipe For Love

Recipe For Generosity

Recipe For Humility

Recipe For Kindness

Kindness… It Is

Set The Captives Free

The Dance Of Life

A Day To Remember

Over-Comer

Be Yourself

The Gift Of Life

Peace

Embrace Your Hurt, Embrace Jesus

Denial

The Last Of The Lasts

The Last Judgement

A Reason To Live

A Beautiful Heart

Leadership

Blowing Horn

Monday! Monday! Monday!

Before And After

A Bookmark

I Believe

Virtues

Thank You

The Real World

Will You Take Time?

Being A Human

Visual Sanctuary

Reaction Formation

What Shoes Are You Wearing?

Pretentious Death

Generosity

Getting To Know You

The Bliss

The Language Of The Heart

Soliloquy

Birth Vs. Death

Never Doubt

The Heart

The Book Of Life

Great Moments

A Time To Heal

Moments Of Awareness

My Struggling Heart

Footprints In My Heart

Retreat Of Silence

The Longest Telegram

The Amazing Book

Transformation

CHAPTER II A POEM FOR EVERYONE AND ABOUT SOMEONE

A Poem For Everyone

Our Lady

Our Mother, The Blessed

To Our Blessed Mother, I Cry

Our Father—The Pope

Mother Angelica

Blessed Are The Handicaps

Golden Moments

Senior Moments

Love At First Sight

A Message Of The Unborn

Toddlers—Tots

Thank You America

The Jurors

The Mailmen

The Firemen

The Secretaries

The Crafters

Special People (In Reading Poetry)

A Smile

The Retirees

The Housekeeping

The Carpenters

A Teacher

Caregiver

The Doctor

The Clown

To Ponder On 911

The Punch Line

Shortening The Life

The Fellowship

A Memorable Weekend

The Eighteenth

Chini

To My Sister Linda

The Shared Moments

Father

A Son

My Sister, My Friend

The Crocodile

CHAPTER III POEMS FOR THE SEASON

Christmas Is Not X-Mas

Christmas Is… Love

Beyond Christmas

It’s Christmas Once Again

The Ballad Of The Shepherds

The Christmas Cards

The Spirit Of Christmas

Exchange Of Gifts

Good, Better, Best

Advent

Prepare The Way, We Must

Seasons In My Heart

The Christmas Within Us

Four Seasons

Begin The New Year

The Newness In Us

New Beginning

The Parish Mission Nights

Soup And Salad

Forty Days Of Lent

The Designer’s Mark

Easter

Easter Forever

Halloween

The Hallow That Wins

CHAPTER IV PARABLES OF THE FABLES

The Parable Of Wisdom

The Parable Of Humility

The Parable Of Innocence

The Parable Of Nature (The Message Of A Blind Boy)

The Parable Of Victory

The Parable Of Persistence (The Endless Story)

The Parable Of Hope

The Parable Of Obedience

The Parable Of Prayer

The Parable Of Gratitude

The Parable Of Justice

The Parable Of Wonders

The Parable Of Abundance

The Parable Of Faith

The Parable Of Generosity

The Parable Of Truth

The Parable Of Forgiveness

The Parable Of Grief

The Parable Of Simplicity

The Parable Of Leadership

The Parable Of Laughter

The Parable Of Common Sense

The Parable Of Industriousness

The Parable Of Self-Control

The Parable Of Kindness

The Parable Of Courage

CHAPTER V FRIENDSHIP

The Precious Gift, The Friendship

What It Means To Be A True Friend?

In Friendship

A Friend

Promises From A Friend

The Book Of Friendship

Friendly Advice

Friendship… It Is

Are You Looking For A Friend?

A Best Friend

My Precious Friend Ching

Treasured Moments

My Friend, One Of A Kind

I Wish I Could

My Message To You, In Your Grave

To Forgive Is… To Let Go

For You My Beloved Friend

Be An Advocate

Subtlety

Release

Reflection Of Courage

In Time Of Need

Elizabeth P. Criste… Who Is She ?

Another Best Friend

The 80Th Birthday Celebration Of Tatay Bert

CHAPTER VI ACRONYMS AND HOMONYMS

Definition Of Abortion

CHAPTER VII THE ABC’S

Beatitudes… (The A B C Of The Be Attitude)

The A B C Of Motherhood

The A B C Of Personal Growth

The A B C Of The Holy Spirit

The Alphabet Christian Wisdom

The A B C Of Catholic Christian

Acclamation! (The A B C Of Worship)

The A B C For Hospice Volunteers

The A B C For The New Year

The A B C Of… How To Pray

DIVERSITY OF POEMS AND POETRY

The Walking Market

The Agony Of Waiting

Songs’ Titles

Playback

The Allegory Of The Human Body

Celebration Of Life… Haiku

DEDICATION

To my brothers:

Ernie, Rafael and his wife

Lydia, Robert and his wife

Lourna, Rey and his wife

Arleen, and my sister Linda

and her husband Carling,

to Beth, (like a sister to us),

and Rick (like a brother to us).

To my nephews and nieces:

Jay and his wife Evelyn, Rona

and her husband Toffer, Ralph

and his wife Berlin, Jan Carlo,

Joyce, Paul, Chini and Francis.

To my grandchildren and the

future ones:

Christian Jay, Elaiza Jelyn and

Jacob Kristoffer.

This book I also dedicate to my

late parents, Pedro T. Jimenez

and Honorata B. Jimenez.

PREFACE

As I am working with this, What’s In My Heart? Volume II, the first volume has already been out.

The original plan for the book is to publish just one set of What’s In My Heart? but I didn’t want the book to look like a thick anthology that is heavy to carry. I wanted a handy book that can be put in a lady’s pocketbook or at a guy’s briefcase or portfolio.

It’s easy for me to just write the echo preface from the part one, and I thought of just picking-up some definitions of a poem. But before I do that, let me just explain why I decided to have two Volumes of What’s In My Heart?

As I write this preface, I have about four hundred eighty poems/poetry and still writing. I have started writing poems since the year 2000. I have been procrastinating to have them published, until few months ago, one of my close friends encouraged me to pursue the book for publication, and to dedicate it to my parents who passed away few months ago. Then I received a Christmas card from another friend last year, with a short note telling me to start my 2011 with my written poem/poetry be published.

So I have Volume I and Volume II Of What’s In My Heart? The Volume I has seven chapters: Inspirational Messages; Prayers; Reflections; Conversation with GOD; Nature/Mother Earth; Lamentations; and Self-Expression. The Volume II has seven chapters, too: Inspirational Insights; A Poem For Everyone and About Someone; Poems For The Season; The Parables of the Fables; Friendship; Acronyms and Homonyms; The ABC and with extra chapter (The Diversity of Poems and Poetry.

I have at least twenty-two definitions/descriptions of a Poem in Volume I and I have selected seven of them for my Volume II, the ones that stand out for me.

A poem is a great gift from GOD

A poem is a reflection from the Bible

A poem is found in the Bible pages, (in the Book of Proverbs and Psalms of David

A poem for me, aids in the inner healing

A poem for me, is a prayer, a communion with the Almighty

A poem for me, is led by the Holy Spirit

And to be a Poet is one of His gifts.

A poem is like an abstract painting and the viewers are entitled to

their own opinions.

The latter sections composing What’s In my Heart? present acronyms of diverse words and ideas, which unfold alphabetically, and a separate chapter with just the ABC’s (learning the simple and basic rules in life.)

The cover design and all the illustrations in both books are my own paintings/artworks of landscape/nature sceneries. What’s In My Heart? Volume I is already out in the market and on lines. What’s In My Heart? Volume II is going to be out very soon. Again, what’s in my heart is what I would like you to know. Knowing my heart is knowing me. Both volumes are products of my simple creativity and creative simplicity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Since this is volume II of What’s In My Heart?, I am going to utilize the acknowledgements from the volume I. This is one book with same theme, same number of chapters, same author and just divided into two parts for reading convenience.

I want to thank my beloved parents, Honorata B. Jimenez and Pedro T. Jimenez (who passed away almost a year apart, November 19, 2009-October 26,2010 respectively,) for their utmost love and care.

To my sister, brothers, nephews, nieces, in-laws and cousin Beth for their never-ending support, my sincere thanks to my friends and relatives who patronize my poems, listening to my recitation and giving feedbacks to every poem I write and read, (to you Elizabeth and Monalisa.)

To Barbara Adrianopoli for giving her precious moments to share her reflection on What’s In My Heart? Volume I.

To Dr. Geronimo and his wife Gibby, for they are avid fans of inspirational poems, their heartfelt feedbacks to my spiritual and inspirational poems/poetry, thanks to the family.

To Dr Marc Alan Brunelle for his generous time, reading my poems/ poetry, of my Volume II of What’s In my Heart?, and giving his input and his strong recommendation to read a glimpse of the book.

To my special friend Ching B. Lazo who believed in my ability to pursue my dreams. She is now in heaven fellowshipping with my parents.

Not to forget, I thank the people I encounter everyday, for they act as my reality linear in life. Observing GOD’s creations makes me write something about them.

My utmost gratitude to our Almighty for the beauty of nature, His amazing creations and other living creatures (co-occupants on earth.)

I thank You my LORD JESUS, for giving me spiritual inspiration and spiritual direction. For my constant Companion, the Holy Spirit, I am most grateful for the inspiration and His prompts to write this vast numbers of poems.

I can’t help but cry sometimes, of how the Holy Spirit prompts me to write such inspirational and heartfelt words from my soul being. Again, I humbly offer my sincere gratitude to the Holy Triune allowing me to feel their Presence.

My devotion and inspiration to our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary, who helps me all the time in interceding for me and with me and for that, I am most gracious and humbled.

My endless acknowledgement t o everyone who revolves in my life and made me realize their importance and to everything that moves my whole being to pay more attention of its essence.

INTRODUCTION

WHAT’S IN MY HEART?, Volume II is a continuation of the first volume. It says about my observations in my surroundings, the focus of my attention. It tells about my messages to my loved ones and friends. It describes the essence of life, (GOD’s creations and creatures.)

It offers a collection of verse addressing the types of challenges a person might confront while navigating a path through a sometimes-confusing modern society.

In my heart, I speak of my poems as my daily companion. The Holy Spirit is always prompting me to express my thoughts and feelings, and my appreciation of the beauty of nature through writing.

In Volume II, I acknowledge in my heart the people of different professions. I have acrostic poems, different ABC’s in life, and I have shared quite a few parables of my own, utilizing animals as the characters that assimilate fables.

Most of all, my heart speaks loud for GOD’s love and mercy, for my utmost gratitude and appreciation, of His Kindness, Goodness and Greatness.

Writing inspirational poems and poetry is one of my great accomplishments. I am given the chance to reach the readers in all aspects of life and indeed has helped me in my healing process, from the grief of losing my parents. The desire of my soul is to invite you to join me in this journey of exploring the reality beyond grasp, that is, the mystery of GOD’s power in our lives.

FOREWORD

One thing certain, Esther B. Jimenez’s accomplishments in her Inspirational Poems and Poetry take us on a journey to a closer encounter with the Almighty. Her messages are wrapped up in one, with GOD’s Call, the Evangelization among them are indeed inspirations that are truly coming from the deepest part of her heart. Her writings become bedtime stories to read to our families. Our grandchildren listen to me read the parables and fables very attentively and make their nights a happy one before going to bed. Esther, as known by her friends, is a very compassionate person. Her love for her pets makes her more admirable for being able to understand the nature of these creatures. As a caregiver of pets, I perceived her compassion towards her pets long before she had expressed what’s in her heart and it is beyond compare. I thank her and the LORD for giving me the opportunity to listen to the silent messages she is sending through her wonderful works on a journey to the paths of the Almighty.

Robert C. Geronimo, DVM

Robert Geronimo, is a doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a graduate from the University of the Philippines. He is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association and the Venerable Knight Veterinarians (of the University of the Philippines) He is an accomplished private practitioner in Chicago. He worked as a farm veterinarian in the Bureau of Animal Industry and as a Veterinarian for the Pure Foods Corporation in the Philippines before coming to the United States of America.

He met his wife, Gibby Solamillo, an RN, BSN from the Silliman University in the Philippines. Since then the couple established a family with a son, daughter and son-in-law. At present the couple has three grandchildren ages 1, 3 and 7, which are the joy in their hearts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Estrella aka Esther B. Jimenez, is a native of Manila, Philippines, a nurse by profession, a US Citizen and residing in Illinois.

Esther is a member of (CRHP) CHRIST Renews His Parish Church, (A Parochial Spiritual Renewal Process), at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, Schaumburg, Illinois. She had offered spiritual talks on the topics of Holiness, Prayer and Scripture, Christianity, Transformation and the Receiving of the Holy Spirit in the Christian community.

Esther is a columnist of Via Times, a Newsmagazine catered to Asian-American community in Chicago, Illinois.

She is also a member of AMG (Authors Marketing Group) of Illinois.

What’s In My Heart? Volume II, is her fourth published book. The first book is 365 Days Food For Thoughts, and the second is the Bible Tidbits and the third one is What’s In my Heart? Volume I. She is one of the authors/contributors of the famous books, Cup of Comfort Devotional, with two short articles for August 3rd and August 16th daily devotion.

She is working on the following:

(1) Daily Graces (Prayers Before Meals)

(2) 202 Turtle Haiku (The Story of Pong-one smart painted turtle)

(3) Have Phun With Elefants (Elephant Jokes, Riddles, and

Knock-knocks with Illustrations), for kids.

She received the Editor’s Choice Award in August 2004 and January 2008 presented by the International Library of Poetry. In June 2002, she also was nominated as the Poet of the Year by the International Society of Poets.

In her leisure time, she paints scenery, (landscape/nature), plays the guitar, writes, reads and she goes fishing for holistic therapy.

She loves pet and animals as evidenced by having adorable, beautiful, orange-bellied turtles. One of them named Pong was trained by Esther to dance and to walk with her. Pong likes to communicate with people and he is not aloof, compared to other turtles. Esther is a member of Chicago Turtle Club.

Whatever Esther does, she prays for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and always relies on His power. And for her, the Holy Spirit is her Spiritual Director.

Chapter1.tif

CHAPTER I

INSPIRATIONAL INSIGHTS

In volume I of What’s In My Heart?, there is a about inspirational messages. In this world we need inspirations to drive us to do better, to reach our goals with satisfaction, to do the right thing and to be what we are with ourselves. This chapter will give us insights to inspire us to be whomever we want to be, like the Holy Spirit inspiring me. Let’s inspire each other through the Holy Spirit’s generosity. Are we in, in the Inspirational Insights? It’s time for us to reflect, time for us to have realization of how insightful our lives can be, and time for us to have awareness of the natural and supernatural occurrences in this mysterious world.

GOD’s CALL

Knock, knock, knock, who is there, may I ask?

It is GOD, Your Neighbor, knocking at your door

Yes, it is true, our LORD is our neighbor and

He is everywhere

Waiting for us and calling us by name.

You might be a housewife, or might be a truck driver

You might hold a position in a company or you might

be a self-employed

You might be earning a minimum wage or you might

be in six figure income

You