A - Z of Joy. E is for.....eeeeeK - Experiments in Creativity, and my sister Elaine.

Elaine.

Early memories of the two of us, together under the

Eiderdown, playing covered wagons, screeching at a mouse; long before I was

Eight.

Elaine, likes

Everything in it’s place, even though she knows that

Everything is a mess.

Easy-seeming with life, she teaches me what

Enormous joy and,

Emotional freedom look like.

Extraordinarily, despite hurt and fear, she has an

Enormous capacity for love,

Easy, free, joyous, uncomplicated.

Elaine, my extraordinary sister.

Enjoying the good things in her life,

Exuberant and effervescent, she sparkles and

Entertains. That is what she loves to do, to share the joy, to

Extend herself, creating celebrations. In the

Eye of my mind, I remember old folks being honoured;

Elaine, ensuring that each birthday was special, an

Eightieth cake with candles; a smiling,

Excited grandmother, warmed to her cold bones, by

Extraordinary love and joy.

Everyone is welcome, until her house is packed full and we are

Elbow to elbow in the beds.

Eating together, sharing; each and every one. Her

Eyes and ears see our differences,

Empathetic yet suffering no

Excuses. She has an

Enormous capacity for telling us what we do not want to hear; her

Enormous heart, honest, loyal.

Elaine, wears an apron and a party hat.

Even-handed, yet fierce; an

Elder. Having fought for her place at the head of the table, with

Effort and endurance, now she

Echoes the roles left vacant.

Elaine, now the heart of her own house, with

Extended family, friends; lately grandchildren.

Each and everyone accepted as unique,

Encouragement given; different and the same.

Everyone is expected to take their place.

Expectations high, Elaine is

Efficient, practical, effective, hardworking.

Earning a living for her family since those

Earliest times, when she was alone with her children.

Eating humble pie or her own words, she rarely

Explores. The years have been tough; she has been alone and afraid for many of them.

Elaine covers any hesitancy or fear with

Extraversion, telling me once of the

Effort it takes to make good friends, to be a good friend, to keep good friends.

Evaluating, measuring, just

Enough. Knowing she is beautiful, knowing she is

Enough. Comfortable with her own energy. Wise

Enough, to let go whilst holding on.

Etna might rumble inside her still, but

Elaine’s energy is now lovingly entwined with another’s; her life's

Experiment in balance; in trust; a challenge that has now become comfortable for her, that

Espouses her strengths, though

Expletives are uttered often!

Elaine brings us all rage and joy in, almost,

Equal measure. She is passionate,

Exasperating, generous, obstinent, opinionated, vibrant.

Elaine, her name means bright shining light or torch.

Elaine, long you have been my shining torch. Showing a way.

Extraordinary giver of Love.

Extraordinary source of Joy. In all seasons you bloom.

Elaine you are evergreen in my heart.

Inspired by Elizabeth  who is taking part in the Blogging A-Z Challenge.