A pearl is a beautiful thing
that is produced by an injured life.
It is the tear that results
from the injury of the oyster.
The treasure of our being in this world
is also produced by an injured life.
If we had not been wounded,
if we had not been injured,
…then we will not produce the pearl.
-Stephan Hoeller
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May this echo within our being through the uncertain days.
Wishing everyone a safe and tranquil week.
Dear Friends,
Today, I again open up PhoebeMD.com for another Meet & Greet event. Remember, this is your moment to shine! This is a time for you all to come together to share your blogs and favorite posts, make new connections, and broaden your blog audiences.
The guidelines, like always, are simple…
By Barbara Leonhard, Featured Contributor
[Part 2 – Alzheimer’s: Grieving the Loss of My Mother]
I processed grief over Mom’s struggle with Alzheimer’s through poetry writing. The fact that caregivers—such as myself and many other poets—can relieve grief through poetry supports my belief that poetry is both the memoir of and the medicine for the soul. Poetry is a means to storytelling, witnessing the human condition in a personal way. What am I thinking, praying, hoping for? How am I hurting? What has happened to me? How can I understand it? How can I share it? Who will witness my pain?
Poetry provides a creative outlet for the release of pain, for healing. It explores the soul. Reading the poems of others who have gone through similar experiences as mine is reassuring because I realize that I am not alone. I could also share my experiences of loss and grief.
In response to the worldwide health crisis that is affecting all of our lives right now, I have a special burden for the most vulnerable populations—the elderly and the chronically ill—many of whom are struggling during this time to maintain their health.
I am leading an effort through Pendants for a Cause to raise money to help support high-risk patients at nonprofit California and Texas hospitals. This means that 100% of the proceeds raised through the sale of items purchased through Pendants for a Cause’s shop will be redirected during this time toward preparing essential care packages for patients in need.
While we are no doubt all struggling to get through this time, I ask that you—if you live in the U.S.*—to consider supporting this cause if you have the burden or the means to.
Thank you for making a difference.
Sincerely,
Phoebe Chi, MD
*Pendants for a Cause is limited to shipping within the U.S. at this time.
![When the Broken Becomes Beautiful [a poem]](https://i0.wp.com/healthinspiration.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/pexels-photo-3041109.jpeg?fit=1200%2C764&ssl=1&resize=40%2C40){kind=small}
![Begin Again [a poem]](https://i0.wp.com/healthinspiration.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pexels-photo-2302908.jpeg?fit=1200%2C817&ssl=1&resize=40%2C40){kind=small}
