Head-Lines

HEADLINE: The National Weather Service said a foot of snow was possible in the mountains of northern New England, with the potential for 20 inches in northern Maine. In higher elevations of upstate New York, 13 inches of snow was possible.

I wake up to the kids yelling "Mom, get up! Hooray! The radio just said that there's no school today!"

I cover my head thinking "Oh why is this so? Could the reason they cancelled school be due to ice or snow?"

Did a storm drop white flakes all through the night? Did that lame-brained weatherman finally get it right?

I crawl out of my bed and to the window I go...Oh yes! Everything's covered  with fine white snow!

"It looks serene and pretty," I say with a sigh, then I realize the snow is almost a foot high!

I look for my husband, he could not have gone far...'cause the township truck has totally plowed in our car.

I find the family in the kitchen with hats, gloves, and boots; scarves, mittens, earmuffs and bulky snow suits.

"We're gonna help Daddy to shovel all the snow!" the kids say excitedly as if I don't know

That our front yard will soon be a snowman's new home, while my husband will shovel the driveway alone.

HEADLINE: Texas Police Believe They Know Identity of Dead Toddler ‘Baby Grace’ Found in Storage Bin - A man and woman who never reported her toddler missing have been arrested by investigators.    

Face of an angel

Life cut short

The cruelty of hands that were expected to love

to nurture, to protect

Heart of innocence

Ceases to beat

No opportunities to impact lives

to learn, to grow

God's open arms

Cradle this soul

A place where pain and anguish are no more

Happiness and peace at last

Goodbye, Baby Grace

 

 

When I am afraid

Who do I turn to for security?

The Lord, God our Father.

When I am lonely,

Who do I seek for company?

The Lord, God of Heaven and Earth.

When I am weak in faith

Who do I turn to for reassurance?

The Lord, God Almighty.

When I need help

Who do I ask?

The Lord, Wonderful Counselor.

When I sin,

Who do I ask for forgiveness?

The Lord, our Redeemer.

When I look to see all I have

Who do I thank?

The Lord, Creator of the Universe.

Who do I love

More than anyone else?...The Lord.

HEADLINE: On average, women give at least 3 reasons for choosing abortion: 3/4 say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities; about 2/3 say they cannot afford a child; and 1/2 say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.

I wish that I could talk to you; I have so much to say, 

Some questions that need answers, I wish there was a way.

Last week the doctor telephoned to tell you I was here,

I was already two months old and would be born this year.

I wondered what you looked like, and if I’d look like you;

I wondered if your hair was brown, and if my eyes were blue.

I imagined walking in the park and holding your soft hand,

Of spinning on a tire swing, and playing in the sand.

I hoped that you would love me and hold me to your breast,

Sing me lullabies at night and feel that you were blessed.

You did not seem too happy when you got the doctor’s call,

You said some things I did not like or understand at all.

You visited a building, so cold and dark inside.

I never will forget that place…for that is where I died.

Did you hear my silent scream that voiced my anguished pain?

 Did you hear them cutting me and calling parts by name?

Oh Mom, why did you kill me? I would have made you proud!

But now you have to live with guilt, and wear it like a shroud.

I wish I could have told you before that tragic day,                       

Although you did not want me,

I loved you, anyway.

Love,                                                      

HEADLINE:  36% of Americans ignore God's Word if it conflicts with their own agendas.

               Lord, I really need you now

I’m feeling so confused;

I’ve been, oh, so abused

by people who just do not understand my love for you.

They mock me when I read your Word
And start and end my day,
By taking time to pray.

I am because you’ve chosen me to be; I am your Child.

Lord, it’s hard to be a Christian in this world,

Where people only care about themselves

Lord, I’m yours and I would never fall away

Still, it’s hard to be a Christian in this world

People do not take the time

To notice that you’re there,

They do not even care;

the one who suffered on the Cross was you- they reject you.

They worry about most everything:
The deadlines they must make,
What shift for lunch to take.
A puzzle of life missing the main piece... You are that piece.

Log in the fireplace crackles and glows

I feel its comforting warmth

Scented candle flickers a small flame

      I smell its soothing aroma

Shadows dance upon the walls

      I see their playful colors

Cat sleeps on a chair in the corner

      I hear its quiet breathing

Chamomile brewed in a "Mom's #1" mug

      I taste its calming flavor

There is no place on earth I'd rather be

Than curled up on the couch with a cup of tea

The fireplace roaring                        

Old gray cat snoring

All loved ones in bed

I can now rest my head

Sensing serenity 

Walking with my God,

Sensing Him by my side

Knowing He will direct my path when the road of life divides

Talking with my God

Hearing that small still voice

Within my heart assuring me to trust Him and rejoice

Praying to my God

With the desires of my heart

Realizing if I'm faithful He'll always do His part…

            To guide my steps

            To convict my heart

            To answer my prayers

Living for my God

The Father, Spirit, Son

Preparing for eternity when life on earth is done.

When time has run out and life slips away

The sun will still rise to call in the day

Your loved ones will cry, at least for awhile

Away in their minds your memory they'll file

They'll laugh once again, their lives they will lead

Your presence is what they'll no longer need

They'll learn to adjust to such a great loss

The grief they'll bear as Christ did the Cross

You only rent life, and God holds the lease

There's nothing to fear; you'll then rest in peace.

Written after the death of my father in 1981

Gone

Like the light from the eyes of a  blind man

A hero lost his life

The love of this man and his woman

No more to be husband and wife

Dark,

Like an eclipse when the moon's o'er the sun

Will the life of his widow be

Forced apart when they have merged as one

To become just a memory

In November 1988, my husband's lifelong friend and fellow firefighter, Gene Furey, was killed when his car slid off a dark, rural road and struck a tree.  He was responding to a report of a car accident at the gas station and a child trapped in the backseat of the car.  It turned out to be a drunk driver with an empty car seat.

Another day, another drink
I'm so wasted I can't think
Sit up straight and try to stand
Still have the bottle in my hand
Get up and try to find the door
Stop halfway there and drink some more
Who knows the last time I was straight
Don't even know the time or date
I reach the door and almost slip
The pills begin to make me trip
Down the stairs out to the street
I can hardly move my feet
I look around and see the faces
People that take up the spaces
Of this crazy mixed up life
That holds against my soul a knife
The knife has a long, slender blade
I bet Japan is where its made
Life stabs me and runs through the door
Bye world. . . I cease to be no more.

(This was written after the death of a friend's teenager to express the hopelessness felt by some of today's youth)