My little girl

Able, competent, independent

Needs to do things her own way.

Drives like there's no tomorrow

Reaches out to the downtrodden

Eager to empathize; then to energize

Anerner will always be my little girl.

Tender hearted beauty

Beautiful blue eyes in a red flannel shirt
Everything in the world to me
Tearing up over someone else's hurt.
Tender hearted beauty,
You're mine and I can't believe it.

Kent

Family

Family,
My dear,
Is my strength.
I want to be
As close as I can
to show them all my love
And hold them close to me;

Fold them in the warmth of my bosom
Cherished the best way I know
With all my very heart
Is my deepest desire.
There is power
In this
Love.

Storm Clouds

As we came home home from from our visit, we marveled at the storm clouds. They displayed the beauty of God's touch as they changed from moment to moment. They presented a contrast of dark and light, of shapes, and of colors. One moment, we would see clouds that were dark and ominous. We commented among ourselves of the pending storm. In just a few minutes, the clouds were bright and colorful, billowy and soft. It was easy to dismiss the dark clouds we had seen just a moment before.

We discussed the colors before us. In one moment, the clouds were dark and gray, indeed they were almost black. In the next moment, they were punctuated with bright yellow rays of light. The clouds then seemed to soften and were accented with a myriad of other colors, of pinks and blues, and of the most glorious white.

Our visit with Aubrey was just the same. When we arrived, she was sweet and energetic as she greeted us and tried to catch us up on all she had seen and done since our last visit. As quickly as appearance of the clouds changed, there was a change in Aubrey's mood. She turned from bright and bubbly to dark and withdrawn. In one moment, she was independent but with the passing of just a minute or two, she was dependent on her parents. She was chatty and social, but in a flash she was tired and preferred solitude.

The contrast was quick and marked. I mentioned it to her Dad and he told me that it was caused by her medications. In a way, the rapid changes were hard to endure, but in another, they provided me with a new perspective.

The darkness in the storm clouds induces in me an appreciation for the light, colorful, peaceful clouds when they come. The impending storm foretold by the storm clouds creates in my heart a greater sensitivity for the light, colorful, soft clouds that I see before and after the storm. So it is with the rapid changes in my dear little granddaughter. The dark moods help me to appreciate all the beautiful, tender moments that we have.

Mine

I was asked, "Is she yours?"
She is and couldn't be more.
While my blood flows not in her veins,
To see her struggle brings me such pains!

As a baby, she cooed and wriggled with such art,
Instantly she won a place in my heart
And with this she became mine
As if she were my blood line.

Her beautiful eyes do twinkle and shine
As she tells her grandpa of her latest books.
She's reeled me in with no line or hooks.
My heart holds no doubt she's mine.

I've watched her develop and grow
Into a beautiful young maiden.
I had no way to know
Our souls would be so laden.

Her family was given a gift divine
To teach, to train to have for a time.
I know that God, for her has a plan.
Because of her, I'm a better man.

Weeds

We were gone for two weeks and everything grew. Flowers bloomed, some of our vegetables sprouted, the grass filled in, and the weeds went crazy. A good friend was kind enough to come and mow the grass for us. We really appreciated his kindness.

Today, I trimmed the yard and knocked some of the weeds down on either side of the driveway. It looks so much better than it did. I still need to spend some time in the flower beds tomorrow cleaning out some of the noxious vegetation before it chokes out the flowers.

For me, there's something healing about getting dirt under my fingernails. Maybe that's because my mother was raising boys instead of raising a vegetable garden. I have no energy, but I think tomorrow I am going to spend just a little of my day getting earthy.

The "C" word

Cancer has touched our lives more than once
A nurse was careful not to use the word; I felt like a dunce.
Never has a word evoked more fear
Concerning someone one that I hold dear!
Even pronouncing the word causes pain.
Regretfully, it is visiting again.

Faith is the bird that feels the light
And sings to greet the dawn during the night.
I want to be as the bird
Taking what seems to be so absurd
Hoping for the best for those I love.

God thou art powerful and thou reigns above.
Only thou seest all and hast all power.
Dear God, please remember us this hour.

Papa's Gems

The reward of aging has been Papa's little gems

Who came into his life as heaven sent them.

Each added beauty to his days on this Earth

Each, to him, is of infinite worth.



As the diamond differs from the ruby or pearl,

Each child is different; each boy and girl.

The precious stones considered a gem

Send color, light and beauty to eyes admiring them.




The children reflect into their Papa's eyes

Twinkles of love that make him feel wise.

Their innocent love and kindest of ways

Add beauty and joy to all Papa's days.