Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Friendship’s Light/Editor's Thoughts--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Friendship’s Light

arms stretch
across the miles
in letters bearing words
to lighten the load and keep hope
alive
_________________________

This has been a good year for Whispers.  Part of the goal for the online journal when I started it, almost two years ago, was to connect writers from different circles.  It is such a joy to see friendships developing.  Whispers has had over 50,000 views this year.  Thank you to each and everyone for your part in this accomplishment.  Since inception over 170 writers have contributed their talents, ranging from age 12 to in the 90’s.  I hope you feel our online journal is a welcoming community and will continue to enjoy the gift of words.  Best wishes to all of you in your writing journeys.  May you be blessed with joy in the New Year.

Warm regards,

Karen O’Leary
Whispers’ Editor
_________________________

Karen O'Leary is a freelance writer/editor from West Fargo, ND.  Her poetry, short stories, and articles have been published in a variety of venues.  She released her first book of poetry in 2011 called Whispers... published by A.P.F. Publisher.  Their second project, Snippets...an anthology of short verse, contains poetry from 73 talented writers from across the world and was released in 2012.  Karen is a member of The Writers and Poetry Alliance and the Haiku Society of America.
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36 comments:

  1. Lotus2009December 30, 2014 at 1:30 PM

    Dear Karen, It has been an honor for me to share my poetry with your talented poets which includes you, my friend. Your site has grown and flourished over the past two years and I am very happy you began Whispers for all to enjoy. Many blessings for this New Year. Your poem has touched me across the miles to Hawaii. Indeed hope is alive and well. Love, Connie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 1:36 PM

    Dear Connie,

    What a light you are in the writing community. You are so good about encouraging others. What a blessing that is. Thank you so much for your kind words and support. I appreciate it more than I can express. Keep hope alive in your heart my friend.

    Best wishes,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 1:38 PM

    Thank you, Barbara Tate, for the following--

    Wishing you an inspirational and creative and above all--a healthy and happy New year. Am honored to be included in the 'Whispers' family.

    Sincerely,

    Barbara Tate

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    Dear Barbara,

    Thank you for your kind words. It's wonderful to have you a part of Whispers. Thank you for sharing your poetry with us.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    Thank you, Beth Winchcombe, for the following--

    Such strength of feeling in those chosen words. A delight to read and give thought to.

    Best wishes,
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  6. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 2:04 PM

    Dear Beth,

    Thank you so much for all the encouragement and support you give me. It is such a pleasure to have you a part of Whispers. I look forward to reading more poetry from you in 2015. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 30, 2014 at 2:12 PM

    Karen,
    I think I started with your website sometime in the beginning to the midway this year. Thanks for being a friend, editor and a contributor to my magazine, The Poet's Art. I hope all your resolutions are successful in the year ahead.
    Yours truly,
    David Fox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 2:50 PM

      Dear David,

      Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I wish you the best with The Poet's Art and all your writing endeavors. Have a wonderful New Year my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  8. pdfrenchDecember 30, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    Dear Karen, Love the poem, thanks for all the hard work over the years and best of luck to you in the year year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 2:52 PM

      Dear Peggy,

      Thank you for your kind words. It is so good to have you here at Whispers. You are such a talented writer. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.

      Warm regards,
      Karen

      Delete
    2. pdfrenchDecember 31, 2014 at 7:37 AM

      Thank you so much Karen! I appreciate your kind words. Happy New Year!

      Best,
      Peggy

      Delete
    3. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 12:35 PM

      May you have a wonderful New Year too Peggy!

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  9. Marianne SzlykDecember 30, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    Thank you, Karen and Gayle, for creating Whispers. It is a lovely, friendly site, and I hope that my friends and students will experience it as well. (Thank you, too, for commenting on my chapbook!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Karen O'LearyDecember 30, 2014 at 8:41 PM

    Dear Marianne,

    Whispers is about reaching beyond the borders of our online journal. I would love more young writers at Whispers. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  11. ichthysDecember 31, 2014 at 12:49 AM

    Happy New Year Karen, may your' whispers ' grow louder throughout the poetry world in 2015.More power to your elbow (and pen).Rgds Brian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 12:37 PM

      Dear Brian,

      Thank you so much for being a part of this journey and for being willing to host activities here at Whispers for readers to enjoy. May you New Year be filled with joy my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  12. paul callusDecember 31, 2014 at 12:00 PM

    Your words of hope and friendship are much appreciated, Karen; same applies to all your hard work and encouragement. May the new year be a kind and fruitful visitor, and may your muse keep you lovely company. God bless. // paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 12:39 PM

      Dear Paul,

      Thank you so much for your kind words and for being such a bright light here at Whispers. I hope your New Year is filled with joy. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  13. UnknownDecember 31, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    Karen, you are a talented writer, editor and a warmhearted person setting such good example for all of us. I love your site and would do more here if my health and age
    let me. If you find the Fountain of Youth Site, please send me the link. I will have to see what 2015 brings. I am facing possible eye surgery for Glaucoma that will make use of a computer a challenge. Have a great New Year and a wonderful 2015. Bob

    ReplyDelete
  14. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 12:43 PM

    Dear Robert,

    What a joy you are! Thank you for your kind words. I have my own struggles with heath so I understand that sometimes one can only do so much. If I find that Fountain, I certainly will pass it on. I will keep you in my prayers. May the New Year find your health getting better.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Michael ToddDecember 31, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    First... I love the poem.
    Second... Congratulations on this year's success.
    Third... Wishing you, the staff, and all the readers peace and prosperity in 2015.

    Best Wishes from Tennessee... Myke Todd

    ReplyDelete
  16. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    Dear Michael,

    Thank you for all your kind comments, encouragement and support. This staff of one is truly grateful for your efforts. It is people like you that make Whispers possible. Blessings to you in the New Year!

    Warm regards,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  17. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    Thank you, Phyllis Babcock, for the following--

    Dear Karen,

    Thank you Karen for all the time you put into the site. Thanks for being so helpful when we need it. I enjoy my time reading the wonderful poems and meeting so many talented poets. Happy New Years to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Karen O'LearyDecember 31, 2014 at 1:43 PM

    Dear Phyllis,

    Thank you for your friendship and kind words. I'm glad to hear you enjoy your time at Whispers. I appreciate all the support and encouragement you give me. May your New Year be filled with blessings.

    Love,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 2, 2015 at 3:08 PM

      Lovely poem Karen. Thank you for inviting me to join Whispers! You've put your heart & soul into making your site a "friendly" place where people can express their poetic talents in many forms across the globe. God bless you in 2015 & always! Love, Chris~

      Delete
  19. Karen O'LearyJanuary 2, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    Dear Chris,

    What a blessing your are to this writing community. Thank you for your kind words. Wishing you a very special New Year my friend.

    Love,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  20. CharleneJanuary 3, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    So glad I read this today. Indeed across the miles the distance grows shorter and shorter as your words of love and encouragement, given so freely to all with whom you come in contact, draws each of us closer. What a blessed community of writers Whispers is, because of you.
    Love always, Charlene

    ReplyDelete
  21. Karen O'LearyJanuary 3, 2015 at 4:50 PM

    Dear Charlene,

    Across the miles, we have become friends. What a blessing you are. Thank you so much for your kind words.

    Love,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  22. Karen O'LearyFebruary 6, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    Thank you, Suzanne Clement, for the following--

    What a nice way you have of expressing what friendship can do, Karen!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Karen O'LearyFebruary 6, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    Dear Suzanne,

    Thank you for your kind words on my poem. So glad to have you a part of Whispers.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  24. Karen O'LearyFebruary 9, 2015 at 9:26 AM

    Thank you, Gerald Heyder, for the following--

    Dear Karen--Cinquain is my absolute favorite for of short verse. I love it! I write it as well. I love the challenge to write it! "Friendship's Light" is delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Karen O'LearyFebruary 9, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Dear Gerald,

    Thank you so much for your kind words. The cinquain is my favorite form too. It's good to have you a part of Whispers. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  26. Karen O'LearyFebruary 9, 2015 at 3:26 PM

    Thank you, Eleanor Michael, for the following--

    Your poem reminds one of the power of pen friends. Whether via electronic or snail, we all love mail. I'm glad to hear Whispers keeps growing.

    Eleanor

    ReplyDelete
  27. Karen O'LearyFebruary 9, 2015 at 3:27 PM

    Dear Eleanor,

    Whispers keeps growing because of wonderful writers like you that submit their poetry and encourage others with their comments. Thank you for your kind words and for all you do to make our online journal possible.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Karen O'LearyFebruary 11, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    Thank you, John Williams, for the following--

    My dear special friend,

    This is indeed the beauty of friendship. Years ago, I read a beautiful poem by a lovely lady in ND. I said I've got to contact her and I did. I thank God we connected in friendship and poetry. It is such an inspiration to have a loyal, caring, and thoughtful friend like you.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Karen O'LearyFebruary 11, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    Dear John,

    We have known each for years. Thank you for your kind words. You are such an uplifting voice in the world. Keep on sharing your words. Thank you so much for your friendship.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

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