STAR GAZING

One thing I try to keep in mind when a storm comes along and my ship rocks too much for my comfort is that the storm will pass and the sun will shine again. It was lovely to spend time with our eldest daughter home for a visit. She played the piano and sang songs for us. The piano was glad too, I suspect. What more could I ask for.

The night is fine and dry.
The stars blink greetings bright.
And the universe spreads
A sweetness through the night.
Those ancient stars that shine
The beast and riding horse
Cannot be erased by human hand
And continue on their course.
Through every age and creed
The lights of charcoal sky
Give hope to human hearts
Offering answers to our why.

The Lion Cub

I got a haircut yesterday. It's funny, but I often go to a different hairdresser and never stick with anyone in particular. I know that's risky. I never tell them I was a hairdresser 15 years ago, because I don't want them to feel nervous. I just like to sit, relax and remember what it was like. Here's a poem I wrote with lots of action.

He stalks, then pounces
On a beetle small.
He waits, then prances
Like a bouncing ball.
He tucks, then lunges
If brother moves away.
He swats and wrestles
In grassy plains all day.
He sleeps, then wakens
When mother brings a treat.
He waits, then watches
While father eats the meat.

God’s Promises Are True

Have you ever promised to do something and then forgot all about it? Don't be too hard on yourself. We all forget to keep our promises sometimes. If you have forgotten to carry through on a special promise you can always apologize. Humble people are very appealing. After all, none of us are perfect. Except God of course.

Whenever a friend is feeling sad, I say
That I will pray for them that day.
Though I meant it for sure when it was said
Sometimes I forget to pray, instead.

Whenever my Grandma is feeling frail
I promise my mom I'd send her mail.
I meant to send her a card as I should
But found that my book was much too good.

Whenever God makes a promise, it’s true.
Whatever he says in his Word, he’ll do.
He'll never say, “Oops, I must have forgot!”
Or he changed his mind and would rather not.

Early Morning Drive

I drove my son to his work this morning. His calf muscles were still sore from the muscle spasm he received upon waking. Here are some of my thoughts on the drive home.

Early this morning as I drove along
The sun began to rise.
I watched it pass through a misty veil
A most delightful surprise.

Suddenly, a deer ran swiftly across.
It bounded in front of me.
As I continued along the country lane
I thought of this mystery.

How the earth somehow belongs to them
We are but passing through.
The creatures of forest are free to play
While we have jobs to do.

How the things of earth are so beautiful,
And change not, no matter the age.
The sun still rises to mark each day
Without empathy or rage.

Though the ways of life are a mystery
Earth’s gifts are freely given.
They cannot be taken or hidden away.
These gifts are sent from heaven.

The fragrant air and the evergreen pines
Is home to many a creature.
Rabbits and pheasants, frogs and snails
Remains its favorite feature.

And at each turning of the road
What joy it was to find,
Another delight awaiting my eyes.
All gifts I had to leave behind.

Friends are like Flowers

Friends make the world a nicer place. We can all agree with that. Like most people we tend to make friends with people that have similar views on life and that understand our strengths and weaknesses. I certainly need to have friends to accept me as I am. My plan for today is to remember the good friendships from the past and to reconnect. Who knows, I might be in for a lovely surprise.

Like flowers in the garden
Next to the grassy lawn,
Good friends are not forgotten.
Their memory lingers on.

And though they fade for just a time
Should autumn bring the frost,
Flowers tended with loving care
Can never be truly lost.

Time can't change or alter its glow.
Flowers brighten the path we take.
Just knowing a friend walks by your side
Heals many a grief and ache.

Though flowers fade and come to an end,
Are different in size and hue,
How lonely the path of life would be
If no flowers grew for you.