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.

36 comments:

  1. 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

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  2. 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

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  3. 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

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  4. 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

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  5. 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

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  6. 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

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  7. 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

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    Replies
    1. 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

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

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    Replies
    1. 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

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

      Best,
      Peggy

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    3. May you have a wonderful New Year too Peggy!

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  9. 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!)

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  10. 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

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

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    Replies
    1. 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

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  12. 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

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    Replies
    1. 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

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  13. 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

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  14. 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

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  15. 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

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  16. 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

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  17. 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.

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  18. 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

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    Replies
    1. 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~

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  19. 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

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  20. 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

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  21. Dear Charlene,

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

    Love,
    Karen

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  22. Thank you, Suzanne Clement, for the following--

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

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  23. Dear Suzanne,

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

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  24. 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!

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  25. 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

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  26. 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

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  27. 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

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  28. 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.

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  29. 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

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