It seems to me that I’m quite sad, it may not even show

I talk a lot to everyone, some people I hardly know

The void that comes with losing, a person or even a dog

The feeling can be excruciating, my view sees only a fog

For loving comes in many ways, a hug, a thought, a gift

To this I speak as if I know, maybe it will help uplift

The only part that satisfies, the absence in my heart

Are the memories that I take, from which I will not part

I see the face, I touch the skin, I know it will no longer be

For the very person, the one I love, has gone away from me

Her picture a clear reminder, of the love that people share

She knows that I will never stop, loving her with such care

The spot in my heart, will always remain, as time continues on

The spot she laid her anchor, a spot for one last song

“How Great Thou Art” I heard us sing, we stood right by her side

The beginning, the end, we knew it would come, we met it with great pride

The pride was for a life well lived, a life she truly had

The good far greater than my pain, for me, I’m no longer sad

I have a really hard time.

I have a hard time listening to people talk so horribly about other people. It doesn’t matter the political party. It matters how WE treat other people. I believe that when we speak badly of other people we lose sight of who WE are. I was taught to look at how I can make a difference. I’m not so sure that I can make a difference if I am constantly criticizing other people. Norman Vincent Peale made such an impression on me. He always spoke about the power of positive thinking. I really believe that that power exists inside of us and that we must always take the high road. We need to work on ourselves first. We need to look at ourselves ONLY. It doesn’t matter what other people say or do. It matters how we react and how we think and, then, what we do. We have more of an impact if we provide positive ideas and positive attitudes. Yes, I’m sure I sound idealistic but I believe it. I remember teaching a first year volleyball team. They didn’t know what they didn’t know. They did everything I asked them to do because they never knew they couldn’t do it. They JUST did it. It was amazing. It was the best experience. It really taught me that if you believe in the good, it will happen. So, I believe it is time to stop looking at the bad and think about how we can implement the good. WE. Yes, it is time we stepped up to the plate.

I remember now why I loved to learn

It mattered not where I was

I remember now that the result was good

It mattered only because

I can believe I grew to be

A person of quiet type

I type and say the words so clear

For you to take the insight

So, now I am asking for you to look

Beyond the site of the view

For when you see what is really there

It will not be all so new

For you can make a difference today

If you try and see for a distance

You will never know what you can do

Until you fight the resistance

Be a good person, she said with a smile

You know it is in your blood

Take the time to be who you are

And, all will be understood

Then – I thank you.

The butterfly flitted as it went on past

Its intent to connect with the plant was cast

It didn’t seem to matter what I did to distract

The butterfly knew it would not react

Then, came the sparrow and it, too, went on

Listening I could hear the bird singing a song

The words were distinct but I could no longer hear

The bird had just drifted too far from my ear

The next thing arrived, it was a snake in the grass

It slithered along, its silence, the pass

The snake made a hiss as forward it went

It moved so slowly, with focused intent

All the creatures were reminders of times from the past

When life was a breeze without a gray cast

And, now, the great vision is too hard to see

What will happen today or what the future will be

What has happened in the now is hard to believe

The locking of time, what it feels like to grieve

We’re not always aware of what we have from a look

The limited view, the cover of a book

The contents of the book are discovered through reading

The author is asking us, sometimes a pleading

Read my story, please read it, from beginning to end

Let the story unfold so you can pretend

Pretend to know what the ending might be

The ending a wonder, what you cannot know or see

It might be a surprise that ends quite happy

It might be a sadness that ends a bit sappy

If written so we can reflect on our lives

The reflection will mirror, becoming archives

Moving through time, we learn to belong

We find salvation in a bird’s song

Do not lose hope, the bird did sing

Hope is the future and what it will bring

You keep staring at me

I can’t figure out what you see

I work on my computer or read my email

And, I feel it

You are staring!

So, how does your mind work?

Every so often, I see a glimpse of the how

When you run into the room, you want attention

You get in my face

You push, you move, you keep getting in my face

I know you are smarter than most

In fact, I know you are a fast learner

Very, very sharp

How did I get so lucky as to find you?

Hm. I think you found me.

Ok. You found us.

Stay for a very long time and continue to be my companion

Take me for walks, stare at me with those big amazing eyes

I guess I don’t care that you stare

Because I like the attention

I feel it.

I feel your devoted attention

Stay for as long as you can

And, keep me company

Take me for walks

And, let me throw the rope

Bound into my bedroom in the morning

Begging to play

You are a special dog

A special dog who I wholeheartedly love

It takes a little time, but it never gets old

Looking, I see the world as it starts to unfold

We don’t know the outcome, I’m not sure we dare

We get through the day, this is what we share

It is scary and not, I think with my heart

It seems we will welcome a new life and start

Life changes so quickly and we cannot flee

Adjusting our priorities, soon this you will see

I’m feeling the peace from a source of pure love

I believe it comes from the heavens above

It is not superficial, it depends on your thought

Be careful what you think as it can cause you to rot

Look at your neighbor, you spouse, your loved ones, your friend

See the good in them always, everyday without end

Trust that the source will bring forward good things

Things like summer, and flowers, and the bird that sings

I doubt we will know what has happened throughout

It is more than we bargained for, this is no doubt

I still believe that from this, good will come

Heavenly bodies surround us, protecting us as one

Some leave us here, for it is time that they go

But, believe that we remember what it takes to live so

Use your trust, your hope and your faith that is strong

For our collective heart to which we all belong