Esther Ferrell Seadeek

Ocoee, FL, USA

Esther Ferrell Seadeek (3/29/31) was born to John Emmett and Mary Plants Ferrell in wheeling, West Virginia. She graduated from Triadelphia High School in May of 1949 and from West Virginia Wesleyan College in January of 1953, with a BA degree. She became a school teacher and married Thomas Joseph Moranski in 1955. They had two daughters, Mary Rose and Joyce Ann. At age fifty she received her M.A. Degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. In 1985, she received her Doctor of Theology Degree from Florida Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. After the death of Thomas Moranski, Dr. Ferrell spent many years alone. On New Year's Day 1995, Dr. Ferrell married Leon W. Seadeek. During those lonely years, she wrote mostly prose... meeting Leon, the poetry began flowing when he gave her he a cobalt vase.

The Cobalt Vase (to my husband)

Blue glass glistens
As a glint of sun illuminates its form
Then permeates,
Reflects, refracts, and radiates
Rich hues.
It shines as if alive.
Within it glows
The pure forever of October skies,
The silent azure of Caribbean deeps,
Bright hopes, sweet memories, great joys,
Dark shadowy sadness,
And freedom of pure thought.
One ray, one touch
Evokes such majesty
As human hearts
Rekindled by Great Love.

No Longer I

Create in me a heart that's clean.
My spirit now renew--
Take pettiness and loneliness,
Resentment, fears, false pride,
Self-pity, and frustrations
In which loveless thoughts abide--
Grant forgiveness, joy, and peace.
Give me Thy loving Spirit
So that inner strife may cease;
And with my weakening thoughts replaced
By love and power anew,
May I in spirit always be
No longer I, but you. Amen.

My Burden Is Light

"My burden is light," the Master said,
"Give me your crushing load.
Take on yourself this yoke of mine
That you may learn from me
The lessons of obedience and true humility.
I'll bear your burdens; you bear mine--
Sweet rest your soul shall know."

So through all conflicts, yoked by love,
My Lord and I shall go.

Prayer

When I go to my knees in prayer
My soul stands up on tiptoes
And raising its arms to the sky
Reaches out for the Infinite God.
In His mercy the Almighty
Leans down and takes my hands,
And drawing me closer to His Heart
Warms my whole being with His Love.
Pains and cares diminish
For I am not alone.