New Baby, verse # 6

A Prayer for your new baby…

Bless this little life with joy as he grows,
may health and happiness abound,
in moments of indecision give him strength and wisdom,
and in moments of grace help him to share,
bless this child with courage and with laughter,
bless him with kindness and self-respect,
and as he walks through this world,
bless him with the inner peace
of knowing that You are always near.

Wedding, verse # 2

Congratulations on your marriage…

A new dress of white,
a gift wrapped in blue,
the old love of family,
a borrowed heirloom or two,
will make this day perfect,
a day to remember, ‘tis true,
when you stand at the altar
and you say, "I do,"
to begin a new path,
a new journey to take
with the love of you both
a life you shall make
of joy and of happiness
for this we do pray
for the two hearts uniting
on this beautiful day.

Wedding, verse # 1

On your wedding…

A bouquet of flowers,
petals line the path to tomorrow,
behold, the future awaits,
two glowing candles become one,
an altar crossed with linen and lace,
with a wave of a hand a time comes to pass,
with a word, a dream begins to engage,
a glass of wine to toast to new life,
wishes from those that you know,
begin with a dance in shimmering light
behold, the future is now.

Thank You, verse # 5

Thank You For Helping Me….

I’ve never been any good at asking for help, too proud or too shy to admit that I couldn’t do it on my own, too independent to admit that I might need someone.
But, you’ve shown me that working together is not a sign of weakness but a sign of unity, of hope and kindness, of strength. Thank you for helping me through this process, for sharing your wisdom, and for helping me grow.

Thank You, verse # 4

Thanks For Being A Good Example….

Because I know you,
I find the courage to face my own experience.
When I hear you tell of your battles,
your struggles, your experience,
I find the will to fight.
In this war of reds and whites,
knives and needles,
you fight bravely, with a desire to live.
When the chemo weakens you,
you smile brightly and laugh,
proud of your battle scars
and determined to win this war.
The strength you own
you graciously share with others
and because of this
I feel strong even when my body is weak
and I will fight courageously
and I will share my strength with others
and together we will all be stronger
and someday the war will be over
and we all will have won.

You already have the answers

Look within the soul tonight…

Look within the soul tonight
and there you’ll find within a light,
a needle pointing to the north
that shall guide you along your course,
check the compass at every turn
and along your journey you shall learn
that within your heart are answers true,
waiting for questions to come from you,
so journey on and bravely go
and trust within that you shall know
the compass will serve as your guide,
this needle forged within the light.

A verse for inner peace

When life seems chaotic, repeat three times…

Powers that be, grant me strength
and bless me with tranquility,
release the chaos from my mind,
this I ask, let it be mine.

Three O'clock Angels

Three o’clock angels…

Three o’clock angels,
whiskey and wine,
comforting hearts until closing time,
bottles on tables,
bartenders wiping the bar,
peeling off labels, sweeping up hearts,
as lost souls tell stories
of heartbroken homes,
of hearts searching for love and love that’s gone wrong,
as three o’clock angels
and whiskey and wine,
try to heal broken hearts until closing time,
but three o’clock angels, wiser ghosts from the past,
look past the torn labels and through broken glass,
and point to reflections,
the lost yesterdays,
when whiskey and wine didn’t cloud memories,
and three o’clock angels
recall better days
when this bottle wasn’t leading the way,
and three o’clock angels will show us the clues
and the key is the wisdom from facing the truth
but for now three o’clock angels
and whiskey and wine,
watch over this heart until closing time,
no one could have told me
that I’d end up here
trying to drown memories in whiskey and beer,
though three o’clock angels try to show me the way,
it’s still hard to admit the mistakes that I’ve made,
but when the bartender says
it’s time to go home
three o’clock angels remind me why I’m going alone,
and three o’clock angels
recall better days
when this bottle wasn’t leading the way,
and three o’clock angels will show us the clues
and the key is the wisdom from facing the truth
but for now three o’clock angels
and whiskey and wine,
watch over this heart until closing time.

Happy Birthday, verse # 28

Happy Birthday…

Freedom is the result of courage,
looking out over the edge of the nest and
stepping out, trying your wings and learning to fly,
earning the right to soar through the clouds,
gracefully gliding on the winds
and exploring the world around you.
May this next year bring you the courage of flight
and the beauty of freedom.

Happy Birthday, verse # 27

Happy Birthday…

Over the past year,
you’ve been through ups and downs,
you’ve pondered options,
and made some difficult choices.
You’ve admitted to weaknesses
but remained strong through it all
and you’ve grown along this journey.
I am so proud of you
and I’m proud to know you
and I hope you have
a wonderful birthday.

Don't Give Up, verse # 4

Keep going…

The world is full of history,
colorful characters, wars won and lost,
with stories of mountains climbed and
lessons learned and bridges crossed;
The view from the mountaintop is worth the climb,
the exploration worth the toll,
for it is there that we will find the key
to engage and release our souls;
Though the mountain may be rocky, the battle hard, the river wild,
the struggles endured, the lessons learned we’ll find are worth it all
because when we reach the top and as we view the world
we learn that the journey taught us who we are.

Don't Give Up, verse # 3

Never give up…

Hold on to determination, that power that propels you over and around obstacles,
and never give in to doubt, the demon that steers one away from their dreams.
Hold tight to hope, the lighthouse that will guide the way,
and always, always, believe in yourself
like I believe in you.
Never give up and, in time, you’ll find your way and reach your goal.

Thank You, verse # 3 (thanks for the memories we've made together)

Thanks For The Memories We’ve Made Together…

The mind snaps a picture,
an imprint upon the mind of a memory,
a moment captured in time to remind us of the past
and to remain with us forever.
And the mind snaps a picture,
emotions painted gently with hues,
faces sketched in time as they were long ago
or merely just yesterday.
And the mind snaps a picture,
building a collection of moments,
a treasury of intangible history to remind us
of the fortune of laughter and joy we have known.

Thank You, verse # 2 (thanks for being you)

Thanks For Being You….

Everyone changes the world in some small way. Bringing laughter to others, listening when someone needs to talk, and lending a hand are just a few of the things you do to make the world a better place.

Thank You, verse # 1

Thank You…

It’s not Mother’s Day or Father’s Day or a holiday of any kind.
It’s just a simple day when I’m reminded of all you’ve done for me.
Thank you.

Just to say Hi, verse # 6

Cooking tip #589,003:

There is no such thing as fat-free biscuits. However, in trying, I created a new recipe for stones. Hope you have better luck.

Just to say Hi, verse # 5

Cooking tip #589,002:

Any pot not watched will certainly boil over and make a mess on the stove.
Hope your day is going better.

Just to say Hi, verse # 4

Just to say hi…

Cooking tip #589,001:

Too much baking powder will make batter cook over the sides of the pan very, very quickly!!! So, how’s your day going?

Freedom

Freedom…

As you venture out on your own with dreams and plans for the future, considering all you’ll do with your new freedom, the things to try, new experiences to be had, remember that the light of home always shines and a familiar voice is only a phone call away.
Along your travels, as roads stretch out before you and choices are made, remember that true freedom rests not without, but within. Many lessons you’ll have to learn on your own, and some are harder to learn than others. But, as you journey, perhaps the following lessons that I’ve learned will be of some use to you as you explore new worlds and forge your own path.
Freedom is knowing that you hold the key to your own happiness.
Freedom is being comfortable with accepting responsibility for your own actions, successes and mistakes.
Freedom is knowing who you are and liking yourself.
Freedom is holding the treasure box within that makes you the guardian over your own life, your thoughts, wishes, and dreams.
Freedom is knowing that you always hold the power of choice.
Freedom is joy.
I hope that each year of your life to come brings new adventures and fresh possibilities to your door. I wish you to be proud of each choice that you make along your journey. I dream for you to know the value and the experience of true freedom. And, I hope that no matter how far you may travel or what options you may choose, you’ll always remember that home is never very far away.

The First Day of School

The First Day Of School…

(enter child's name) knew the day was coming,
her very first day of school,
and she was so excited
to learn to write and to get to carry books.
“Will I learn to write big words,”
____ asked her mother with a smile.
“Yes, you will learn how to write,” her mother said,
“and spell and add and tell the time.”

So, _____ and her mother went to town,
to a big store they did go,
to buy _____ some school supplies
like a pencil and new clothes
and a lunch-box with a princess on the front
and a yellow coat in case it rained
and a tablet with some paper
and, just for fun, a candy cane.

They shopped all day, then drove back home,
and _____ looked again at all her new things.
Then, ____ began to wonder
how far away from home school would be.
“Will you show me the way to school,”
____ asked her mother with a smile.
“Well, sure I will,” her mother said,
the school is just down the road a mile.

On the very next morning,
_____ and her mother went for a walk,
and along the path they followed,
they talked and talked and talked
about _____’s mother’s first day of school
and how much fun she’d had
and how she’d walked to her first day
with her mother and with her dad.


As _____ and her mother walked,
_____ made sure to try to remember
about all the places she was passing
as she and her mother walked together
as ____’s mom showed her the way to school,
the path that she would take.
____ was sure that she’d be allowed
to walk alone to school someday.

So, ______ made sure to see the little white house
with blue shutters and a little white gate.
She would need to remember to turn beside there
or else to school she would be late.
And the row of red flowers along side the drive,
no, no, she would not forget those
because when she passed those pretty red flowers,
she had to stop and scratch her nose.

Along the way, they passed a fence
and behind it was a friendly yellow dog
who would chase around his tail
and then he would chase around a ball.
Just down the road from the dog
lived a big white cat
with fluffy hair and a long fluffy tail
who just sat upon a mat.

“This is the way,” _____’s mother said
as they kept walking on,
“it’s just a little further
so it won’t take very long.”
And _____ looked about her
at a house that was painted pink.
“I would like to live someday,” ____ said,
“in a house painted pink, I think.”

And as ____ and her mother walked some more,
they passed a pretty tree,
“The school is that big building there,” her mother said,
“the one that is painted white and green.”
_____’s mother pointed ahead and ____ joined in.
“I see it now,” _____ said, “Yes, I really do,
I see the place where I will go
when I have my first day of school.”

And, with a turn, they headed home,
a short walk it had been
as she had walked beside her mother
along the path to school, hand-in-hand.
As they walked home, ______ began to dream
about learning books and math
and time and words and things.

Then the day finally came,
and _____ jumped right out of bed
to hurry and get ready for school,
to brush her teeth and make her bed.
“Slow down and eat your breakfast,”
______’s mother said with a smile,
“don’t worry, you’ll get there on time,
the school is just a mile.”

“I know the way,” _____ said, “I really do,
I can walk it by myself,
I can find my way to school,
yes, I can find it without any help.”
“Okay,” her mother finally said,
though she had a plan of what to do,
“you can try, yes you can try
to find your own way to school.”

So ______ picked up her lunch and
she picked up her pack,
she stretched out her arms
and put the pack on to her back,
she kissed her mom on the cheek
and went out the front door,
and began walking the path
she had walked with her mother before.

With a smile she waved
to the little white house with shutters of blue
and turned right beside it
as she knew to do.
And she waved, “Hello” to the friendly yellow dog
who did not see her
because he was busy chasing a frog.

And, she walked and she walked,
but she saw no big fluffy cat
that was the color of white
lying asleep on a mat.
And, she saw no pretty house
in the color of pink
and saw no building
of white and of green.

“This is not the way,”
____ thought to herself,
“where am I, where am I,
I need some help,
but I was so sure I could walk
to school on my own,
on my first day of school
just a mile from home.”

By a pretty tree, _____ turned around
and headed for home, sad that she had not found
her own way to school on her very first day.
She had been so sure that she knew the way.

Back down the path, ____ headed for home,
past the little white house with shutters of blue.
Her head hanging down and tears in her eyes,
____ said, “Mommy, Mommy, I need to talk to you.
I walked down the path, I did really try,
but I could not find the way on my own.”
“It’s okay,” mother said, “I was following you all the way,
I just couldn’t let you walk to school all alone.”
“Will you take me to school,” _____ asked as she dried her eyes.
“Yes I will take you school,” her mother said with a smile.

Hand-in-hand, together they walked
past the little white house, past the friendly yellow dog,
past the flowers of red and the big fluffy cat,
past the pink little house, yes, they passed that.

Then, as they passed by a pretty tree,
_____ said, “This is where I turned back for home.”
“I know, I saw,” her mother said with a smile,
“but you didn’t need to when you walked on your own.
There is the school, that building, you see,
the building painted of white and of green.”
And ____ looked at the yard with the crowd,
but before she had not seen the building she saw now.

Her mother led her into the school,
then down the hall, and then into her classroom.
But ____’s first lesson she had learned very well,
you don’t have to do everything all on your own,
it’s always okay to ask your mother for help.