Reflections

By Barbara Dowell

There is no available information at this time. Author will provide once available.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984542717

Barbara Dowell

Barbara Dowell grew up in the small town of Bexley, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, living with her parents, older sister and younger brother. Married to Jim Dowell since June, 1964, they have a daughter, a son, and a Labrador Retriever named Windy. Barbara held positions as a social worker, educator, and cantorial soloist for Columbus area Reform congregations, accompanying herself on guitar. She became the director of two choral groups, The Sharyonim and The Mazal Tones, recording three CDs. "I began as a daughter, grandchild, niece and cousin, becoming a wife and a mother. I have been blessed with good friends and beloved pets. My professions as a social worker, teacher, and musician have given me the joy of interacting with countless people, young and old, from teaching my own children to classrooms, kitchen tables, Temples, and concert venues. Singing, playing guitar and dulcimer, has also nurtured my soul. Life experiences both the happy and the profoundly sad have been woven into my poetry that speaks to me and I hope to others."

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by Barbara Dowell.

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.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 08/10/2018

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

782334

CONTENTS

Reflections

Acknowledgements

Introduction

FAMILY

Family

To My Mother

Aunt Goldye

Dear Aunt Goldye and Uncle Lou,

Becoming My Mother

The Balabusta

What Is A Big Sister?

Dear Eleanor,

Your Love

A Granddaughter

CHILDREN

Mothers

My Children

Happiness

God Bless My Child

A Mother’s Guilt

Inner Strengths

FRIENDS

Barry

Cheri

Dear Sara,

Linda

Ron

Jim’s 70th Birthday Roast

PETS

Shanie

Ode to Murray Cat

Friends

Sammy

Windy

PRAYERS

Sanctuary

Ani Ma-a-min

Birkat Hashachar

Dear God

Hear Our Prayer

Life

New Year’s Blessing

Congratulations

LOSS

Loss

Their Voices

Death

In Memory

Jason

Dear Jason

Mom

My Mother

Steve

EULOGIES

Eulogy for My Mother

Eulogy for Aunt Lina

Eulogy for Steve Michaelson

IMPRESSIONS

An Impression

Autumn’s Loneliness

Contrasts

New Beginnings

Self-Discovery

The Lost Soul

CHALLENGES

Boxes

Choices

Change

Alone

If

Evolving

Life’s Struggles

TRUTHS

Belonging

Listen

Betrayal

Winning

Anger

MUSIC

Music

Mazal Tones

The Sharyonim

SONG LYRICS

Fleeting Time

Free

It’s Nice to Know

The Sad Song

Time

TOXIC PEOPLE

Pretense

Inappropriate

Voices

The Best

Reflections

Reflections are mirror-imaged self-perceptions

as seen from others’ eyes

informing, revealing, encouraging introspection,

leading us on to new directions.

Acknowledgements

I want to acknowledge my friends who encouraged me to put my writing into a finished form. Linda Schottenstein edited my poetry, suggesting I continue to add to my collection of writing. Thank you to Sara Pfaff for reading a selection of my poetry several years ago, not giving her opinion, which suggested to me that I needed to consider rewriting. Thank you to Carol Rich, a professional writer, who read through my book, encouraging me to publish it.

All three of you are dear friends and a significant part of my life, as I carry thoughts of you each day, knowing you always have my best interest in your hearts. When I have encountered stumbling blocks in my life, you are all there to pick me up, insuring I will be able to move forward with confidence.

Introduction

There have been times when I was challenged by events occurring in my life, many requiring