For me, I will be forever grateful to my mother for her effort to convince me we should stop and visit my uncles that late afternoon, now so long ago. I never saw Uncle Lyn again, either. He died that following January. I am reminded that for each day we are given might be our last, and that family, friends, and simply folks who pass us by who might share a smile or a hello, are more precious than anything else we are given in life; that gift of each other. The years have not diminished their memories. Fortunately the pain of their parting is only a memory though. What does remain, sadly, is the regret of not seeing them as the treasures they truly were in life, appreciating them for who and what they were; accepting their faults as well as their virtues. They are gone from my sight, but not from my heart.
A Love Unspoken
I hear your voice within my heart
before my ears can hear you speak.
I know your footsteps coming toward me,
though I’ve not yet seen your feet.
Only in my secret dreams your
gentle face I touch,
and confess to you the reasons
why I love you, oh so much.
You pass me by most often.
Sometimes you’ll stop and say “Hello”.
Perhaps some conversation
but too quickly turn and go.
And my heart cries just a little,
for you’ve no such thoughts of me.
A name and face you see each day
is all I’ll ever be.
And so I keep you locked away;
known to none but God above.
Forever to remain to me
A dear unspoken love.
Bonnie
What do I see when I look in your face and
observe you in all that you do?
A face perhaps lined with the passage of time,
with eyes that are honest and true.
Hands that have cared for your family.
On your left hand a ring made of gold,
that speaks of your love and devotion
to one man who calls you his own.
Light fingers that dance across ivory,
paying homage to masters of old.
Who gave us the music through you we enjoy
in your church and within your own home.
Through your door all who enter are welcomed
with coffee and cookies or cake.
Who’s there just to listen when friends need to share
when their worlds or hearts crumble and break.
Yes youth is fleeting, but that which is left is refined
by the passage of time.
A soul who is worthy to stand before God
who’ll declare with great joy, “You are mine”.
It’s Not for Us to Know
Do not fret about tomorrow;
how it may or may not be.
For that is not for us to know,
but only God to see.
For if we did He knows
we may not strive to do
our best.
Or thank Him for the day we’ve lived,
and how we have been blessed.
He doesn’t wish for us to know
that day He calls us home.
For we may become too fearful
and leave seedlings left unsewn.
We must keep on working
in life’s field
until we hear God say,
“Well done my faithful servant.”
and bids us home to stay.
Tea
I love a cup of English tea
late in the afternoon.
Hot and sweet with milk or cream,
stirred with a silver spoon.
For just a few brief minutes
I am free of work-day stress.
My mind and soul find in its warmth
a brief but pleasant rest.
With every savored sip
my languished spirit is renewed.
And I think of things that bring me joy;
like treasured thoughts of you.
Dear Steve
(to my brother on his 50th Birthday)
I was too young to remember the first time I saw you
that evening when Mom brought you home.
But I remember a toddler who didn’t like hugs,
preferring to spend time on his own.
And when comfort you needed you’d walk over
To Mom and just lean on her leg for awhile,
and look up to her face with our father’s blue eyes,
and give her your broadest sweet smile.
I remember you being quiet;
a watcher with not much to say.
I don’t recall you being a brother who seemed
always to be in my way.
It was usually my other two siblings who would
aggravate me to no end!
Yet somehow we looked up to you even though younger
as keeper of secrets and friend.
You proved to be smarter than Jay, Kathy and I,
passing tests without cracking a book!
Wise beyond years and yet reckless in youth
in the directions your life sometimes took.
There were times I would envy your spirit;
your quest for freedom to live your own dreams.
And cried for you when try as you might,
those dreams weren’t all they had seemed.
through good times and bad you’ve experienced more
in your life than I probably will know.
I’ve stood at the window of my life
and since childhood have watched you grow,
into a man I proudly call ‘brother’,
and as your sister I always will be,
So glad that God gave us each other,
To love and live in this family.
Christmas
Greetings
Christmas 1993
May the star that led three
Wise Men to a child
so long ago,
illuminate the path you walk
and in its light you’ll know,
a love far greater than
mere mortal men can give.
And peace be with you all your days
while on this earth you live.
Christmas 1994
Christmas trees and holly,
candles red and all aglow.
Stockings on the fireplace
filled from brim to toe,
with little gifts and candy
to please both young and old alike,
as we gather once again to hear
of that first Christmas Night.
How in a manger lowly,
a mighty king was born.
One who would not judge us cruelly,
or wheel a deadly sword.
But would lead us like a shepherd
teaching mercy, love and peace,
in hopes that one day hate and war
among mankind might cease.
&&&&&&
May God bless you and your family
with love, good health and cheer.
And peace abide within your home
throughout the coming year.
Christmas 1995
The Greatest Gifts
(a song)
Sometimes I get so caught up in the things I have to do.
So little time ‘til Christmas and my dollars are too few.
With gifts to buy in
hopes of pleasing family and friends,
that before the day even arrives,
I can’t wait for it to end!
But then I am reminded of a night so long ago.
A young girl very great with child
upon her donkey rode.
And in a stable lowly, lying in a bed of straw,
bore a child, the Son of God who would
one day save us all.
Refrain
The greatest gifts I can give this Christmas,
can’t be found underneath a Christmas Tree,
but giving love, hope and understanding,
as my ‘Father’ in Heaven gives to me.
Now I don’t seem to mind the shopping anymore.
Or the people that I meet in every busy store.
For we are all God’s children,
and are hopes are just the same
to please our friends and family come
morning, Christmas Day.
Refrain
The greatest gifts I can give this Christmas,
can’t be found underneath a Christmas Tree,
but giving love, hope and understanding,
as my ‘Father’ in Heaven gives to me.
Christmas 2000
Joseph’s Song
Hush, here how the Angels in Heaven they sing,
and shepherds come in from the field.
Three Wise Men with precious gifts fit for a king.
And all in your presence they kneel.
Refrain
God made you and named you, and gave you to me
to guide and protect ‘til a man you would be.
Though carpenter poor, I will teach all I know.
Child not of this world know this man loves you so.
My name I can’t give you as other men can.
For you are God’s own Son, the Lamb,
our forefathers told He would send to this world.
The Christ child, the savior of man.
Refrain
God made you and named you, and gave you to me
to guide and protect ‘til a man you would be.
Though carpenter poor, I will teach all I know.
Child not of this world know this man loves you so.
&&&&
Though carpenter poor, I will teach all I know.
Child not of this world, know this man loves you so.
Christmas 2003
Anticipation fills the air as Christmas
Time draws near.
The stores are filled with shoppers buying
gifts for those so dear.
The colors, smells and sounds invite the senses to partake,
in every gay festivity this holiday can make.
Yet in every package opened and wishes wished come true,
there’s still one wish not answered;
one we ask for all year through.
The one for peace on earth, good will towards men.
A gift which can’t be bought.
It must come from every human heart through
word and deed, and thought.
Peace isn’t penned in documents and
decreed by heads of State.
And good will towards men is not a
resolution that we break.
We can’t expect world peace to start from
distant foreign shores.
Peace begins within each home.
Yes, from mine and yours!
So don’t withhold one ounce of love from those
who’s home you share.
Embrace them each and every one,
and let peace be spread from there.
Guardian Angel
Seen yet unseen, like the wind your
Guardian Angel’s there.
Ever always by your side and
knows your every care.
That little voice that tells you when
something isn’t right.
A warmth that fills you even when
your home alone at night.
Yet watch and you might sometimes see
Your Guardian Angel smile;
worn upon a passer-by or a happy little child.
A hand might offer friendship, or a heart to offer love.
Angelic hosts in human form, sent from God above.
Thank You Lord
(a prayer)
Thank you for this hour, Lord,
which You have given me.
Forgive me Lord for any act
which did offendeth thee.
May I use the following hour
to please You where I can;
Remembering why You sent me here,
To serve my fellow man.
Amen.
There are loved ones who while not on purpose, have been excluded from these pages. Truthfully, it’s because the words haven’t come yet. One day they will, and I will be able to express on paper what I have long felt in my heart for them. I pray that somehow, they know.
Golden Hours Page 4