who is this woman

you may ask

she is one

who has made giving her task

*

see her scurrying to the door

of a neighbor in her apartment block

carrying a birthday card

or some uniquely styled pair of socks

*

she has been blessed

it is true

but her blessings she shares

with me and you

*

Her adventures carry her far

students in distant schools

benefit from paper and pens

and her giving too

*

she travels the world but forgets you not

as Russia or the Panama Canal

finds it ways to the dining room wall

showing slides of the people’s locale

*

the nursing home residents

share in her joyous song

as their eyes feast on the view

and the ethnic food that belongs

*

Judy doesn’t stop there

but continues her giving

driving the Madison Zoo train

cheering all in thanksgiving

*

uniquely free

and so giving it is true

thinking of delightful ways

to bring a smile or two

*

she may be volunteering

at Olbrich Botanical Garden

engineering the tram

or referring to the tropical banyan

*

then on to Monday

another day of living

at the Habitat for Humanity

she is giving

*

Perhaps some Wednesday evening

You will hear her respond

as she works the phones

for the charity telethons

*

accepting donations

late into the night

always there helping

comforting those in plight

*

it may be a free vacation

to a mother of three

or helping with car payments

for forty years we see

*

an angel she is

and freely she gives

an example for all

and how we might live

*

a balance of living and giving

brings joy to many and herself

a balance of living and giving

is an open shelf

*

a quiet, joyful soul

with a twinkle in her eye

her presence in your life

will leave you with a delightful sigh