Showing posts with label Lina Jensen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lina Jensen. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Psalms of Lina Marie


Chapter 12


Psalms of Lina Marie


My Beloved Bride
Lina Marie (née Tucker) Jensen
Bridal Picture, August 2008
It is with satisfaction, joy, and a enormous sense of personal fulfillment that I arrive at this final chapter of my romantic poems.

Why?

Because all of the poetry in this chapter is either inspired by or dedicated to my dear wife, Lina Marie Tucker, who, in conjunction with being my only sweetheart, precious lover, and wife of 15 years, is also my best friend, closest confidant, and greatest supporter.

As I have amply chronicled in the past, courting and winning Lina's heart did not come quickly or easily. 

Click HERE to read Dr. JJ's Rocky Road of Romance.  

Indeed, along the pathways of this unusually circuitous and painful—albeit richly rewarding—quest, I often felt like Jacob (Israel) of old who had to labor 14 long years for the hand of his cherished Rachel. My journey to Lina Marie Tucker was similarly long and laborious; it simply didn't come quickly or easily—nothing in life worth having does—something my dad once taught me: Nevertheless, because  I can, in hindsight, echo the sentiments of that great Prophet and Father of a mighty nation as recorded in the Holy Bible:

"And Jacob served [14] years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her" (Genesis 29:20).  

It took me 13 years from the time I first started dating at age 16 in August 1995 until the day I married Lina in August 2008. And like Jacob's patient wait for Rachel, it was worth all of the required labor!  

I proposed to Lina in a Restaurant across from the
King and Queen Towers in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on
March 22, 2008.  I placed this sign at the base of the
Queen Tower and had her look through binoculars
immediately before getting down on one knee
officially pop the question and display her
engagement ring.  
 
Along the way, I was similarly inspired by Jacob's mother, Rebekah, whose beauty, character, and confidence made her the apple of Isaac's privileged eye and heart.

Throughout my teenage and young adult years, I often displayed on my bedroom wall a copy of a famous painting of Rebekah drawing water for Abraham's servant, Eliezer, and his camels. It was an intentional move on my part because I deeply desired to someday marry someone with the beauty, character, caring, capability, and confidence of Rebekah. In my mind and heart, anything less than Rebekah would be settling in the marriage department.

Despite these stirringly high standards, I succeeded spectacularly in somehow, someway convincing the lovely and remarkably Rebekah- and Rachel-like Lina Marie Tucker to take an eternal chance on me!   

As magical, mystical, and magnificent as ROMANCE can be for the individual and couple involved, it ultimately has an even high purpose than individual or relational joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and fulfilment. That higher purpose is, of course, PROCREATION, which makes it possible for even more people and their immortal souls to eventually experience the joys and wonders of romance... and all the other magnificent experiences, knowledge, and things available to us in this world—and beyond!

Lina and I in front of our Florida home
in 2022.

Fifteen (15) years into marriage and I'm still crazy about my Lina Marie. Not only does the ROMANCE continue and deepen, but our relationship is much richer and more mature than it was in 2008. Don't get me wrong... no one in this world has a perfect marriage; Lina and I are no exception. Under the best of circumstances marriage still requires work and selflessness to succeed. As we've mutually committed to such a lifestyle, it's worked out pretty well! Plus, making up after a disagreement or difficulty is divine! 

Perhaps some readers may be thinking: "This is all well-and-good, Dr. JJ; but why publish something as private as a love poem to one's intimate partner?"

Good Question, and my answer is two-fold.   

First, these poems are all appropriate for a general audience. In other words, details of our intimate relationship are not shared. Second, it is my sincere hope that whoever reads these poems might find inspiration that will influence and empower them to more fully realize the heavenly potential in their own lives and romantic relationships—including (and especially) their marriages.

After all, I was once just a young, jejune juvenile who was fortunate enough to be introduced to the work of Byron, Poe, Shakespeare, Shelley, and Wordsworth, who collectively influenced and inspired me a great deal!

While my work may never be appraised as being on-par with such masters, I have nonetheless derived an enormous amount of pleasure, satisfaction, and fulfillment from following my heart to make the attempt.  

ENJOY!  


Finally   

The tender kiss of lips so sweet,
   The sweet smell of my precious dear,
Her saintly presence is a treat,
   Oh how I love to have her near!

Of all the girls that I have thought,
   Were better than the rest for me,
Among all those for whom I sought,
   I knew that still I'd not met She.

For every time I'd like a lass,
   There'd be a deep and inner sense,
That though this woman was first class,
   Eventually she'd be past tense.

How painful and how deep the smart,
   When each time I would bid adieu,
Or be shut down, my bleeding heart,
   Did ever long to just meet YOU!  

There was no shortcut through the years,
   The price was set, I had to choose,
The game was mine to win or lose,
   The cost to win: time, sweat, blood, tears!

It seems now like a dream to me,
   As I reflect upon that choice,
That proved to shape my destiny,
   And led me unto thy sweet voice.

May God be thanked for faith and will,
   And the power that lifted me,
And made my natural self the kill,
   'Pon altars of eternity.  



Worth It 

When I meet my bride,
I shall know it; and she
Lina doing homework in her
dorm room at Georgia Tech
Shall sense it like palpable rain,
As it falls down from Heaven,
Like glistening leaven,
Assuaging and healing my pain.

Oh the years that I worked,
With Her sweet soul in mind,
Trying hard not to slip or to fall,
Working hard to improve,
Yes, I watched every move,
For I knew what was best above all!

Yet the price I must buy
Seemed so dauntingly high,
And without her face singed in my eyes,
I often would wonder,
Had the deal gone under?
I was always aloof of the Prize!

For we never supposed
Long before I proposed,
How great I would often be tried.
But with Father's own blessing,
My soul kept progressing,
Past gulfs that seemed endlessly wide!

And so often it seemed,
As I wrestled and dreamed
Of the battles in which I took part,
That success only dallied,
While rejections rallied,
Vestigially vexing my heart!

After never succeeding,
My heart always bleeding,
I wondered if all was in vain?
How could I rekindle
The flame that would dwindle,
And turn so much loss into gain?

And there were those times,
When the umptieth woman
Made it clear that she wanted no more
Of my face or my presence,
Unmistakable evidence
That far outweighed any implore!

Yet something remained,
Though my soul often pained,
All through those vexatious years.
He managed to handle,
Kept relighting my candle,
And managed the worst of my fears.

He kept me prepared,
While my burden He shared,
So that when she'd finally meet me,
She'd feel it and ponder,
No longer look yonder,
For there in the flesh would I be!

Lina's work Christmas
Party 2017
Then we'd both understand
That the pain had been planned,
With His loving Hand there to guide it.
And humbly we'd say
As we knelt down to pray,
Thank You Father above; it was worth it!

Then something amusing
Will grace our perusing
As we contemplate all that had passed.
And we'll sigh several sighs,
Wipe a tear from both eyes,
And hold onto each other fast!

And midst sunset's grandeur
I'll view her with candor,
And recognize something anew.
Though her looks still a prize,
Always thrilling my eyes,
Yet my eyes cannot see what's most true...

For the purest of gems
Isn't found in her face,
Though a breathtaking face she possesses;
For when beauty's bright glimmer,
With old age grows dimmer,
Her spirit my soul still caresses!

Thus when youth's bloom is fading,
I'll still be awaiting
The best time of all to arrive.
After so many years,
Filled with joy and with tears,
We'll never have been so alive!

Living for one another
More than sister or brother
In a bond that shall always abide.
More in love than ever,
We'll forge through forever,
Eternally we'll be side-be-side!


Sonnet 11  (Pure Unsullied Sweetness)

She is a Princess; when I'm around Her
I cannot feel less than a prince—a king—
Endowed with a rich virtue apt to stir
In my bosom a pure light, which doth bring
Out the best gifts of my nature; indeed,
Inside of me I find a man renewed,
A soul prepared like soil for a seed,
To thrive and grow a crop that is imbued
With Heaven's light exposing its goodness,
And richly flowing back unto the two
Of us to whom the sweet harvest doth bless,
As daily its rich nutrients renew:
   Giving strength to run the race to its end,
   A task quite possible with one's best friend!


Sonnet 12  (Prepossessed Beauty)

Her beauty is prepossessed, and I think
That perhaps 'fore the world was I adored
Her o'er others, as mine eyes they did drink
In the sweet fairness of She; my heart soared,
Augmenting the meaning of life to come,
Where I would meet her and fall into love—
Transfixed I'd be—considering the sum
Of all that She is, sent down from above.
Such goodness, and such beauty, I would find
Her worth to surpass all other pursuits,
With a face and a form to match her mind,
I'm still at a loss to measure the fruits,
   Yet to spring forth from such a connection,
   Gifting me sweet e'erlasting reflection. 


Sonnet 13  (A Cornocopic Concatenation)

A cornucopic concatenation
Was triggered for me one fine Georgia fall,
Ushering in a delayed elation,
Catharcting some former ingested gall.
What was it? Power, or money, or fame?
Nay! It was something far longer lasting,
A subject summed up in just one word: Dame!
A friend who could help bring life everlasting,
And oh! What wonder it brought to my world!
So poignantly contrasting times of yore,
An unbroken streak of fortune unfurled,
Unlatching at last the lock to that door!
   Browning made his point; and did so quite well,
   My life's now been kissed, as I'm here to tell!  (1)


Early on in our relationship—when we were still just friends—Lina mentioned to me that she liked limerick poems. It will come as no surprise then, that I wrote several of them for her!


Sweet Lass from Homestead 

There once was a sweet lass from Homestead,
My South Florida girlfriend
climbing a palm tree
Who became a Georgia Tech Coed,
Where a lad from Utah,
Met and fell in awe,
Now sweet thoughts of Her swirl in his head. 


Genius of Beauty 

I once met a genius of beauty,
A brilliant and talented cutie,
Whose keen sense of fashion,
And life filled with passion,
Has caught my attention most truly.


Girl Named Lina 

There once was a girl named Lina,
Who's mind was akin to Athena,  (2)
With pure soul and heart,
Lina at her dorm room computer
And her beauty, like art,
Now my heart's docked in Her marina!


Finest of Girls 

I now date the finest of Girls,
Who makes my heart do flips and twirls,
So proud to be her sir,
I'm so in love with Her,
Her worth's beyond diamonds or pearls!



Exquisitely Cast 

I love her to a depth ne'er plunged before,
Midst all gals known in days of yore,
With Lina at church in 2007
Her character's a thing well wrought,
For such a lass I've always sought,
Whose beauty, though exquisitely cast,
Yet somehow, is still surpassed
By Who she is on the inside:
A Queen, a goddess, who doth abide
So pure within the realms of truth
And virtue, I must say, forsooth,
That in her presence I feel a prince!
An heir to a throne that doth evince
That I could ne'er settle for less
Than a true Princess: the very best!
A true Princess indeed You are,
Like a pure, rare gem mined from afar,
For whom I'm searched my whole world through,
Just to find someone like YOU!
A search that's oft been a troublesome trek,
Wherein I've sometimes felt shipwrecked,
Or moored upon a desert isle,
Bereft of a rare and royal smile,
Or a soft, sweet kiss, or a tender touch,
A comforting hug, or other such,
So natural in a Gal like You:
So pure, so precious, and so true!

And now to your sheer pulchritude,
Which ranks among the best I've viewed,
Your pure silk hair and soft smooth skin:
A color that's pure perfection!
Your feminine figure dazzles me,
All adding to the ecstasy
That fills my heart when I behold
Your perfect form, like perfect gold!
A smile that shineth like the sun,
Your lighted eyes make you the One
Gal I seek in the world,
Let flags of my heart now be unfurled,
With bended knee I humbly bow
In deep respect I do know now,
That you're the right woman for me,
Being yours sets my young heart free!


Sum and Substance 

Whenever I am in her presence,
I find it hard not to sit and stare,
Not just because she is so pretty,
But because of something deep down
Inside of her that draws me in
With Lina on South Beach
March 2007
Like a bee to the most precious
And gorgeous of Roses!

Like a mountain climber seeks out
Everest's elusive peak,
I seek Her hand, and
   Her heart,
      Mind,
         Soul
            Goodness,
               And LOVE...
To be one with Her,
   And commune with Her spirit.

If I were a champion athlete,
   She would be the world record.

If I were a politician,
   She would be the office of President.

If I were an artist,
   She would be the Mona Lisa,
      Or even the Sistine Chapel.

If I were a royal heir,
South Beach
March 2007
   Or even if I wasn't,
Still, she is a Princess
   Whose blood is bluer
      Than the aqua waters of
         Miami Beach or the
            Florida Keys
Near her
   Childhood home.

Whose heart is not easily won;
No true Princess's ever is.
But perhaps with a true knight's valor,
   Courage,
      Patience,
         Kindness,
And a chivalric
   Consistency
      Over time,
I might win
   The fairest gift in all the world:
Her eternal
   Love,
      Affection, and
         Promise
            To
                Be
                    Mine!

This Woman is a Queen,
   Whose elegant gowns,
        And gold and jewel-bedecked adornments;
            Whose scepter and throne,
                Castles and land,
                    Entourage and army,
                        Power and influence,
                            Beauty and grace,
Are all as mere tinsel
   On the Christmas Tree
        Of Her virtue,
          Character,
             Integrity,
                Intellect, and
                    Spirit.

Yes...

Words are but dull,
   Empty, and
      Insufficient
Means of capturing the
   Celestial essence of Her noble Being.

Nay, nothing in mortal realms
   Can ever compose a worthy description
      Of Her,
Least of all
   My
      Paltry
         Pen!

Wordsmith though I may be,
Still I sense my utter fallibility,
And my profound failure
To paint a literary likeness
   Worthy
      Of a Being so
         Divinely conceived!

The effort is like trying to reconstruct
   The Twin Towers
      With Tonka Toys

Well might a kindergartner attempt
   To mingle with the mind of Hawking,

Or my laughably
   Lanky an
      Limited limbs
Put themselves forth to swim the vast Pacific,
   Or traverse it in a canoe!

Such is any attempt of mine to
   Articulate the worth of
      She,
Of which any price,
   No matter how high,
      Would still be too low
         In estimating
            HER value!

Still...
   
    I must try!

I must make use of all means at my disposal,
   Paltry and pathetic though such means may be.

YES!

Though I will always fall short
   Of the goal,
I will never cease to
   Try
      My
         Best
In making
   The attempt!

Though my efforts will
   Perpetually
      Prove
         Inadequate,
I shall never
   Relinquish
      The Quest
To capture the
   Wonder,
      Glory,
         Beauty, and
            Majestic celestiality
Of the lovely,
    Pure, and
        Precious WOMAN
          I have grown to love
             So
                Much!

Behold, the
   Consummate magnificence of...

Lina
   Marie
      Tucker!  



Sweetest of Them All 

Of all sweet gifts that God can give,
She's by far the sweetest of them all!
For her I'd die; what's more I would live
And each day answer Heaven's call.
A nobler Woman I've never seen;
A prettier Being I've ne'er beheld!
I'm humbled before such a Queen.
Soon to be Sealed with God's own weld.
Amidst all of life's blissful joys,
She remains to me first and foremost,
E'en above our girls and boys,
Of She above all will I boast!
For as a steadfast, hopeful youth,
I daydreamed of one like She,
Yet hard it has been in truth
To see Her tangible actuality,
To think that somewhere in Earth's wide space
A precious woman is becoming
A spirit more beautiful than her face—
So gorgeous—my senses are numbing
In preparation to take it all in:
The glory of merging my life
   Someday
      With
         My
            Wife!


Another Failed Attempt 

There is nothing sweeter than my precious Lady,
Oh, how I've longed to meet her!
And from Her acquire the key into Her life and heart
That opens up our world
To where life really begins!
Thank God for giving me the strength
To grow grace-by-grace
Into a man of stature
Sufficiently
   Worthy
      Of
This precious Woman,
   This royal Princess,
      This Goddess-like being of
To me...
Unmatchéd majesty!
This Lady of
   The utmost elegance
      And
         Refinement,
Possessing a:
Heart of gold,
     A brain of brilliance,
          The patience of Job,
               The selflessness, goodness, and honor of Rebekah,
          The wisdom of Deborah,
     The kindness and forgiveness of Christ,
And the beauty and purity of Rachel.
With a soul filled with pure passion borne of
Character
   And
      Enthusiasm.
Then least of all her amazing traits—
At least in terms of moral import—
Comes one of my favorite ones.
Though 'tis mere icing on the cake
When compared with her
   Character
      And
         Virtue.
Nevertheless,
There still remains...
   Her
      Striking
         Beauty,
My own Aphrodite!
And though I often try to capture in words
The majesty of she of whom I love so much,
I always fall so terribly short,
And
   So
      Would
         Shakespeare.
Nevertheless,
God hath forever blessed me to be
One with
My eternal Companion,
     My Lady,
          My Wife,
               My Sweetheart,
          My Joy,
     My Friend
My Joy and my Queen.

Thus in ink it is now emblazoned:
Another failed attempt
To articulate the
Majesty of
   My
      Precious
         Wife.  



A Perfect Match 

Somehow these two
   Just look right together.
In puzzle-like fashion
Their natural fit emerges
From photographic images
Like an artistic, fictional portrayal
Of lovers meant to be.
It's like they're siblings
   Or close cousins,
But of course they're not,
So...
   What accounts for such a fit?
Though scholars may surmise the scene 
For hints of a logical explanation,
And poets may peruse
The nature of idyllic attraction,
Neither can justly ascribe
Or adequately articulate
The perfection of
Their match.

They just are:
A perfect,
   Natural match
Made
   By
      God
In
   His
      Heaven
         Above,
A signal and sign
Of His eternal love.  


Gratitude 

Gratitude.

It's all summed up in the assessment and attitude
That I now possess a gem of all gemstones
In HER.

It's seeing all other achievements
Wane in their luster
When compared
To the honor
Of being
Her sir.

It's seeing romance—the greatest conundrum,
Frustration, and challenge
Of my young life to date—
Work itself out miraculously
In the warmth of her embrace.

It's seeing the imprint of God's own Hand
Gently,
   Yet Firmly
      Intervene
In a matter of such weighty importance.

It's being filled to overflowing
With my love for Him
And my lover for Her—
Consummating my everlasting affection—
For
   Both!



Holding Hands 'Neath the Covers 

Of all sweet affection
Exchangéd between lovers,
There's nothing quite like
Holding hands 'neath the covers.

Concealed from others' eyes
It's more than mere show,
This token of true love
That's destined to grow.

While all things erotic may
Take place 'neath the sheet,
Even between strangers
Just met on the street.

Purchased with the lucre
Of lust's appetite,
And climax comes quickly—
A vice tricky to fight.

It lasts just a moment—
A swift, fleeting turn,
Thus anything greater
A person must earn!

Oh, the sweet tender molding
Of true lovers' hand-holding,
Takes time to engender
Such pure love to send her.

It can't be attained
Without pure faithfulness,
Mutually sworn—
The union to bless!

Yet it's worth the effort
In patience and time
Required to gain it
And make her heart mine!

Revealed by the sweet clasp 
Of my hand in hers
Where no one can see it;
I pray it endures!

I'll love her forever,
And e'er take her hand,
In light, dark, and shadow;
'Tis a privilege grand!

That plays a sweet melody
On my heart's strings;
A tune so endearing
It trumps most other things!


I'm Thankful for Pictures 

I'm thankful for pictures,
For pictures of She.
I'm thankful for romance,
And dates yet to be!

I'm glad I have eyes,
Two of them that can see,
That I might drink deeply
Of her sweet beauty!

A beauty that melts me
And brings my heart bliss!
Her gorgeous reflection,
Oh, how I do miss!

Her salty sea green eyes
And pure olive skin,
A brow that is so wise
It lights from within!

A face so well fashioned,
Her cheeks full of life,
With ears cuter than puppies
Yes... this is my Wife!

Her face lights my world,
Her form makes my heart race,
Her figure's a wonder
Bespeaking beauty's grace.

That makes Her an Angel,
And Goddess to my heart.
A Being that I loved
Right back from the start.

When I first laid eyes on
The wonder of She,
And since ne'er recovered,
So glad She chose me!

And now that she's away
Apart from my grasp,
I'm thankful for pictures,
Since I cannot clasp
Her form to my bosom,
And cuddle her close,
And tenderly kiss her:
The One I love most!

So until I see her
Again soon to come,
I'm thankful for pictures
Of my chosen One.

And til we meet again
I daily will pore,
O'er pictures of my Love,
The One I adore!

I'm thankful for pictures,
For pictures of She.
I'm thankful for pictures
Of She who loves me!

I'm thankful for two eyes,
That baskingly gaze
Upon the sweet Angel
Who's mine all my days.

I'm thankful for this
Blesséd blessing in life,
I'm thankful for pictures 
Of my precious Wife!



The Make-Up Poem 

I didn't know holding her hand again
Would cause such an internal reaction.
Heart beating faster.....
Yearning for Hers to beat again in sync with mine.
Stomach fluttering...
Worrying She might not want me back.
The unspoken awkwardness of the first few moments of that planned picnic.
Worried like craze she might not be on the same page as me.

When . . .

Drawing closer in, 
I go out on the limb of my life,
Hoping with all of my soul that
The magnetism of True Love might once again
Bring us back together.

Then . . .

To the jubilance of both our souls
And countless generations yet to come,

Our lips join together softly
Sweetly,
Purely,
And passionately
In an affectionate token
And experience
Of the Heaven on Earth we have come to know together
During the past six months,
And I get the impression that
It may not be over
After
All!



Her Unmatched Beauty* 

Sitting up four stories o'er-looking the beach,
Our Wedding Day
August 8, 2008
It seems I can almost feel Her reach
From the other side of the world,
As though She were right here curled
Up next to me on this lodging loft
With Her skin so soft
And softly
Brushing gently up against mine.
Oh, how I do pine
For this sweet angel's
Presence,
So purely divine,
Who very soon will be mine!

Though it's only memory's pure apparition,
I cannot conceive a more precious cognition,
A visage kept sacred above any other,
More valued than father or sibling or mothing,
A Woman I value above my own flesh,
Whose body and soul with mine will soon enmesh.
For a spirit, mind, and heart as perfect as she,
I would do anything required of me.
So deep in my mind's eye, all day I shall stare,
Ever increasingly keenly aware
Of the unmatched beauty she offers to me,
With skin color of sand,
And sweet eyes like the sea!

* Composed on a hotel balcony in Daytona Beach, Florida, after dark.  I was in town teaching a professional seminar.  Lina was in Shanghai, China studying abroad.   


What a Magician! 

Dancing at our Wedding Reception
August 8, 2008
How is it
That as time goes on
I only love my GIRL
More
   And
      More
         And
            More?

How is it
That the more time
I spend with HER,
The more I miss Her
When
   We
      Are
         Apart?

How is it 
That a woman
   So beautiful,
Can just keep getting
   Prettier
      To me
With every passing
Glimpse,
     And glance,
          And stare?

I say stare,
Because I can't
   Really help it.
My eyes catch hold
   Her gorgeous face,
      And sexy form,
And I'm completely
     Entranced,
          Transfixed,
               Submerged
Beneath the spell that HER
   Beauty and
      Goodness and
         Intelligence has
            Cast upon me.

And oh!
   What a
Wonderful,
     Marvelous,
          Glorious,
               Spell it is!

Yes, what a
   MAGICIAN
                      Is She!



Unique Perfection 

Her striking eyes of perfect class,
And soft look of unique perfection;
All things told this sweet, young lass
Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA
July 2017
Transcends all in my recollection.

Outward She radiates light,
Like a soft beam lathereth,
Her footsteps increase my sight,
As watching Her I gathereth
Inner strength inside my soul,
So inspired I am by HER,
Her dazzling charm has ta'en its toll,
Drawing me in closer.

Midst such magical delights,
In love I cannot help but fall,
Never have I seen such sights,
As Her eyes, form, face, and all.

Being amidst her glorious wonder,
I am honored and subdued,
In Her love I'm torn asunder,
And my soul with heav'n's imbued.

Mingling with her precious presence
Is an unsurpasséd pleasure,
Oh, sweet solid evanescence...
I'm in love beyond all measure!
  


Lina leaping in the air at South Beach
March 2007
My Favorite Floridian *

How sweet, how sure,
How tender and pure,
How beautiful inside and out
How unique and rare,
How stunningly fair,
How fun to learn all about.
She's special. She's fun.
She's brilliant. She's one
Girl that's captured my attention,
And on Christmas Day,
Though She is far away,
I think I will willingly mention...
How this fine Woman,
Somehow has caught,
The heart of this lad,
Who now likes her a lot!  

* This poem was one of several that I wrote to Lina as part of a Twelve Days of Christmas e-present in December 2006. She traveled home to South Florida to celebrate with her family. I remained in Atlanta at my cousin's where I lived at the time.  



My Baby's Face 

I love to see my Baby's face,
Queen Tower
Atlanta, Georgia
When visiting our special place.*

I love to see her figure fine,
And realize that she is mine.

This precious Princess, oh, so rare!
I'm lost amidst a pleasant stare

At her angelic countenance,
That makes my inward spirit dance,

And sing and praise and shout and sight,
As cuddling close the clouds roll by.

A place of passing, prescient peace,
Portending joy that will not cease.

Through days of life and far beyond
This water dwelling in our pond,

Wherein the pool's reflecting trace,
On clear days paints for met the face

Of my best friend and lover true,
The Girl I've pledged my whole life to!

* Our special place was at the base of the King and Queen Towers in Atlanta, Georgia. 


Not So Strange 

How strange it is
   That they should come together,
Our Engagement Photo
Spring 2008
      Indeed!
How is it that a 27-year old country boy
   With redneck roots,
      Poor grades,
And an even poorer
   Track Record
      With the ladies...
Should attract
   A 1590 SAT hottie from
      South Beach?
Well...
   Maybe not literally from SB,
      But close enough.

He, ironically, as formal as a British heir,
And she as casual as a refined cowgirl
   From the fly-overs.

She not looking for anything
   But friendship and fun,
      While he ardently pursued conjugality.

Yet, somehow, it still happened
   Over time.
And now they're the closest thing
   On God's green Earth
      To a Perfect
         Match!

I s'pose that's cuz God had something
   To do with it.

And besides, deep down,
The roots of both ran a little country,
Wearing second-hand clothes,
   Fearing familial impecuniosity
      And jockeying for space and/or
Whatever prized pudding
   Might be in the fridge...
      But not for long!

And isn't it something
   How they both ultimately
      Want the same things?
And see eye-to-eye
   On what really matters?

No matter that they were raised
   On different sides of a continent.
They remain as similar 
   As they are different.

And the passion!

Such attraction's fiery draw'll
Make it difficult
   Deal and
      Seal to ever
         Sever
Without even mentioning
Their fidelitous pledge
   To each other,
      The community,
         And to God—
            FOREVER.  

So, I guess it's not really so strange
   After all.

I mean
   It works!
And like magic
   At that.

It must be divinely appointed.

It's me and Her.
   It's Her and me.
      It's us
For ETERNITY...
   
And it's not so strange
   After all.  



Royal Blood 

Royal blood is hard to find,
A quest that's stretched my heart and mind.

So, it's not wonder, when I found
Her heart, once She had come around.

It filled my soul with pure delight,
And made love in my heart ignite!

To think that such a Princess fair,
Considers me as also rare!

'Tis a privileged state to dwell,
Methinks I've never felt so well

As when I find Her in my arms,
Or 'neath the spell of Her sweet charms.

With every kiss my lips are giv'n,
A precious little piece of Heav'n.

Each hug a glorious, sweet embrace,
To body—like to eyes—her face.

Her precious touch is home sweet bliss,
Augmented by each tender kiss.

And sometimes I just sit and stare,
In disbelief to be aware

That this sweet Woman's heart is mind:
A miracle from God divine!



The Lovely Lina Marie 

(Ode to Her Outer Beauty)

Our Wedding Day
Salt Lake City, Utah
8-8-08
Her gorgeous eyes and radiant smile,
I think perhaps I'll take a while,
And bask among the pleasant view,
Of all things glorious 'bout YOU!
Your pure sweet face and soft smooth hair,
Of catch me in an ardent stare,
And then there are the little things,
Like soft smooth hands and cool earrings.
I love the color of your skin,
A perfect olive that's within,
Such well-fashioned styled attire,
That's hot, yet ne'er doth cross the wire
Of pure sweet modesty's request,
Perhaps 'tis this that I love best!
A super figure and nice arms,
My knees get weak amidst such charms.
I love her sparing use of paint,*
Too much of it would only taint
The stunning natural looks She's got,
The stuff that cant' be sold or bought.
With lovely legs 'pon which She stands,
Her outer looks are simply grand!

* Makeup


Dr. JJ

August 2, 2023
Terra Nova, Newfoundland, CANADA
          


Author's Note: This is the 338th Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013 and the 158th consecutive weekly blog published since August 31, 2020.   

Click HERE for a compete listing of the other 337 FF Blog Articles 

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL QUOTES  

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL POEMS   

Click HERE for a complete listing of Self-Action Leadership Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Fitness, Heath, & Wellness Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Biographical & Historical Articles


Click HERE for a complete listing of Dr. JJ's Autobiographical Articles

.........................

Tune in NEXT Wednesday for another article on a Self-Action Leadership related topic.  

And if you liked this blog post, please share it with your family, friends, colleagues, and students—and encourage them to sign up to receive future articles for FREE every Wednesday.

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Notes:

1.  A reference and allusion to Robert Browning's famous poem, Sumum Bonum

2.  Greek goddess of wisdom.


Wednesday, March 1, 2023

SAL is Attractive

Lina M. Jensen, PMP
Do you have a desire to be an attractive person both inside and out? If so, then SELF-ACTION LEADERSHIP is something to be seriously sought out, studied, and applied.

Why?

Because self-action leaders are committed to the principles and practices that lead themselves to become ATTRACTIVE in a variety of ways. 

To illustrate this phenomenon, I would like to share some relevant bits and pieces from the life story of one of the greatest self-action leaders I have ever had the privilege and pleasure of knowing; namely, my wife, Lina Marie Jensen.

Obviously, I am biased on what is, for me, the Subject of subjects! I openly acknowledge this glaring partiality. Lina is, after all, the most attractive person in the entire world to me; and not merely because I admire and respect her self-confidence, fun personality, and gorgeous physical appearance. But in a much larger sense, Lina is a self-action leader in every area of her life; and that makes her incredibly beautiful on the inside as well. Thus, I think enough factual and objective data exists on Lina's resume to highlight her as an exemplary self-action leader in this article—regardless of my personal predilections in her favor.  

Little Lina with four of her eventual five siblings.
Lina has always been a natural self-action leader. To quote her mother, Vaylene Tucker: "Lina pretty much raised herself." Such a comment modestly belies the extraordinary woman that Lina's mother was and is; but it also speaks volumes about the nature of her daughter's innate and developed personality, character, capacity, and intelligence—all of which were and are enormously attractive to me.   

Lina grew up the third of six children in a middle-class home in Homestead, Florida, one of the last communities one passes through before entering the Florida Keys. As one of three older siblings, she spent a great deal of time and energy caring for and otherwise helping to raise her three younger siblings. These experiences—and others like them—led her to become unusually mature for her age. There are reasons, after all, that I didn't meet her until I was 27. Simply stated, it took a 27-year-old Jordan Jensen to be sufficiently mature and worthy of the interest and affection of a much younger, but equally (if not more) mature 19-year old Lina Tucker.  

Lina's Senior picture and Salutatorian Award
As a teenager, Lina excelled academically, partly because she was very smart and partly because she worked very hard and was an ambitious, competitive, disciplined, and focused student. Her efforts paid off, earning her near-perfect college entrance exam scores, a better-than-perfect GPA (thanks to academically weighted courses), the honor of Salutatorian (2nd overall) of her graduating class, and full-tuition scholarships to Brigham Young University and the University of Florida—both of which she turned down to enroll instead at the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)—a Top 5 school—as an engineering student.

Lina's college planner, in which
she charted a daily course for success.
I'm so glad she made this particular life decision the way that she did because I did not reside in Provo or Gainesville in 2006; I was in Atlanta!   

I met Lina at the beginning of her sophomore year at Georgia Tech. I originally had no connections to Georgia Tech, but we were members of the same church and met each other at a church-hosted party one Saturday evening in September in the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta.

One of the things that immediately attracted me to Lina was her intellectual capacity, academic prowess, and remarkable work ethic. I also loved her fun-loving, happy, and cheerful personality. But even more attractive than all of that was the circumspection of her character and the genuine goodness of her heart. Lina is a woman of wonderful integrity who always treats others with kindness and respect. She has always been one of the sincerest and most thoughtful human beings I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Lina ascending the indoor rock wall
Atlanta, GA area; 2007
The size of her heart was illuminated for me most saliently during one of the brief periods of our 12-month courtship during which we had temporarily "broken up." The occasion was an ice skating party with church friends. Unlike some girls, who may have been apt to rush off into the arms of other boys to show off or make me feel jealous on the heels of our break-up, Lina did the exact opposite: she sought out other girls to befriend—girls who were less popular and largely ignored by the boys. There she was, in the midst of her own grief over our break-up, striving to lift others up. Observing kind, thoughtful, and selfless actions like that made me fall even deeper in love with Lina and I soon found myself yearning more earnestly than ever to get back together and never, ever, ever say or do anything that might jeopardize my chances with this angel of a woman.  

And then there was the day I got to watch Lina ascend an indoor rock-climbing wall...

One Saturday afternoon during our courtship in Atlanta, we joined some friends from our church at an indoor rock-climbing facility. I'll never forget Lina's ascent up that rock-wall face. After climbing most of the way to the top with relative ease, Lina's arms and legs began to ache with exhaustion as she neared the top. After struggling for several seconds, it was apparent she was having difficulty completing the final section of her journey. 

A very skinny JJ, prior to his "Dr. Days"
Admiring his future Bride persist
until she succeeds
.
There would have been no social shame had she simply quit where she was, descended the wall, and called it a day. After all, she had given it a genuine effort, making it almost to the top in the process. 

However, it quickly became evident to me—and everyone else on the ground who was watching her—that almost achieving a goal was not good enough for Lina, even for a goal as relatively unimportant as making it to the top of an indoor rock wall. Consequently, she had no intention of giving up—no matter how long it took her to make it to the top.  

Rather than quit and slide easily back down, Lina rested a while and then tried again... and again... and again... and again... and again to summit the last few feet of that wall. Yet time-after-time, she continued to fail. But no matter how tired she felt, or how many times she fell short in realizing her objective, or how shaky her arms and legs became, she absolutely refused to give up her quest of making it to the top of that wall.

As I stood there at the bottom of the wall in awe at her determination and resolve, it became increasingly evident that she simply was not going to quit until she made it to the top—no matter how difficult it might be or how long it might take.

After several minutes of failure near the top of the wall—and several minutes is a very long time when you are hanging against a vertical wall trying to make it the last few feet to the top—Lina rested again for what seemed like a considerable amount of time before giving it one more go. With every ounce of strength she could possibly muster, she stretched and clamored upward until finally—FINALLY—she conquered the wall. Able to now rest atop the obstacle that had proven so difficult a challenge for her to surmount, she smiled widely and triumphantly down at me and our friends who had been watching and cheering her on throughout her ordeal.  

Lina and I a-courtin' in Georgia in 2007
near the time of Lina's rock wall climb
There were many moments throughout our courtship where it became obvious that if I could only convince Lina to marry me, then this gal was unquestionably a "KEEPER." Among the more prominent of these moments was that afternoon at the indoor rock-climbing facility. After observing her dogged determination and unrelenting pursuit of a relatively unimportant goal, I realized that Lina was the kind of person that I could always rely on to persist and never give up on important goals and other vital objectives that mattered most in life. Moreover, I realized that if she committed to me, she would never give up on us—just like she refused to give up on the rock wall that memorable day back in 2007.  

Can there be anything or anyone more attractive than that?  

Lina is now 35 years old. In adulthood, she has continued to practice the same SAL habits that brought her happiness, success, and inner peace throughout her youth and young adulthood. Such hard work and focus helped her graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech, earn her PMP (Project Management Professional) certificate, and work for two Fortune 500 Companies in three different states and one province of Canada over the past 14 years. She presently works for NextEra Energy in South Florida as a Director in charge of solar projects in Missouri and Kentucky.

Lina's bachelor's degree
in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech
Lina's professional work is often challenging and stressful. There are great expectations to meet, difficult people to deal with, and unending obstacles that pop up and challenge her determination and resolve—just like that rock wall. But as self-action leaders are wont to do, Lina continually finds a way to navigate each new challenge with poise, panache, and persistence despite the difficulties. And the results are the same as that day on the indoor rock wall; eventually she finds a way to conquer whatever obstacles lie in her path as she gradually wends her way to the top—no matter how many attempts (or how much time and effort) it might take to get there.  

In addition to her career advancement and success, Lina has given birth to our three children. She also serves faithfully in our local church—wherever she may be called. And while she is no more a perfect wife and mother than I am a perfect husband and father, I count myself incredibly blessed to be Lina's man, and my kids are ineffably fortunate to call her "Mama."  

Speaking of imperfections... Lina and I are both far from being perfect, either as individuals or a couple. One of the things I am most grateful about Lina is that she is aware of her shortcomings and strives to work on them. This involves being a good listener and demonstrating patience and tolerance with my weaknesses and inadequacies, of which I have many. Nevertheless, by consistently investing our imperfect best efforts into our lives, careers, and marriage, we have ultimately enjoyed lives, careers, and a marriage that is mostly positive, productive, and rewarding—certainly good enough to keep working at diligently for the rest of our lives and beyond—and continually enjoying along the way.   
Lina with our three children in the LaSal
Mountains in Grand County, Utah; summer 2022

As I have done many times in the past, I pay sincere and heartfelt tribute to Lina. She is an AMAZING woman, a wonderful wife and mother, and a remarkable example of Self-Action Leadership in all of its finest qualities. Indeed, I find it incredibly inspiring to wend and work my way though life side-by-side a self-action leader as attractive—both inside and out—as Lina is.  

I likewise pay tribute to the many other steller self-action leaders all over the world who are similarly attractive because of their attitude, character, integrity, perspective, and vision. While such extraordinary persons may sometimes seem to be the exception rather than the rule amidst humanity's thronging and ever-increasing crowds of men and women, boys and girls, it doesn't have to be that way. Nay... all of us are free to make choices each day of our lives, and every day we are faced with new choices in our lives and careers and relationships—the consequences of which will either lead us upward toward Existential Growth or downward toward existential atrophy. 

What choices are YOU making TODAY and what direction are you headed tomorrow as a result? Put another way: what "Rock Walls" are you currently climbing and how committed are YOU to reaching the top, come what may?"  

I invite you to ponder these questions and then invest in a change or two that will begin to increase your own ATTRACTIVENESS in coming days, weeks, months, and years.    


Dr. JJ

March 1, 2023
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA


Author's Note: This is the 310th Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013 and the 136th consecutive weekly blog published since August 31, 2020.   

Click HERE for a compete listing of the other 309 FF Blog Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL QUOTES.  

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL POEMS.   

Click HERE for a complete listing of Self-Action Leadership Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Fitness, Heath, & Wellness Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Biographical & Historical Articles


Click HERE for a complete listing of Dr. JJ's Autobiographical Articles

.........................

Tune in NEXT Wednesday for another article on a Self-Action Leadership related topic.  

And if you liked this blog post, please share it with your family, friends, colleagues, and students—and encourage them to sign up to receive future articles for FREE every Wednesday.

To sign up, please email freedomfocused@gmail.com and say SUBSCRIBE, or just YES, and we will ensure you receive a link to each new blog article every Wednesday.  

Click HERE to learn more about Freedom Focused

Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Jordan Jensen

Click HERE to buy the SAL Textbooks

Journals of Rex Buckley Jensen

Rex Buckley Jensen (1943-present) Circa mid-late 1970s In this week's article, it is an honor and privilege for me to pay homage to my d...