Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for June, 2018

Friends

Friends

F riends

R eveal

I nvite

E ntertain

N ourish

D iscover

S avor

My four-wheeling friends savor the outdoors. We discover new vistas. We nourish one another’s spirits. We entertain one another, laughing and telling stories, teasing, sharing and encouraging. We invite other friends to join us. Nothing reveals who we are as well as who our friends are. Don’t forget to include your furry, four-legged friends, too. Friends are such a blessing!

Absconded

My country has been taken

Prisoner as it makes

Prisoners of children.

Who absconded with

My country and turned

Its southern border into

A Hellhole?

What can we do,

What must we do

To take it back?

FATHER

The poem below is one I found in a box of my mom’s favorite poems. She had this one memorized and used to recite it (along with others she had committed to memory) at various public gatherings and her Rebekah’s Lodge meetings.

FATHER

Used to wonder just why Father

Never had much time for play;

Used to wonder why he’d rather

Work each minute of the day.

Used to wonder why he never

Loafed along the road and shirked.

Can’t recall a single time whenever

Father played, while others worked.

Father never dressed in fashion,

Sort of hated clothing new;

Style with him was not a passion,

He had other things in view.

Boys are blind to much that’s going

On about ’em day by day.

And I had no way of knowing

What became of Father’s pay.

All I knew was when I needed

Shoes, I got ’em on the spot

Everything for which I pleaded

Somehow, Father always got.

Wondered, season after season,

Why he never took a rest

And that I might be the reason,

That, I never even guessed.

Wanted me to go to college

Dad was great on learning stuff

Always said that having knowledge

Helped a man through places rough.

But I thought it too much bother,

And I loitered day by day,

Wasting time, ignoring a Father,

Now I know I’ll have to pay.

Saw his cheeks were getting paler,

Didn’t understand just why;

Saw his body growing frailer,

Then at last I saw him die.

Rest had come, his tasks had ended,

Calm was written on his brow;

Father’s life was big and splendid –

And I understand it now.

Poet Unknown

Memories of Daddy

 

image

Gentle, kind, considerate

These words describe my dad

Unconditionally loving

Always made me glad.

 

Everyone should be blessed

With a father such as mine

His faults were few and far between

Except when time to dine.

 

He burnt the the chicken to a crisp,

But he loved to barbecue

Steaks or hotdogs, ribs and such

Were treats he’d cook for you.

 

His favorite place was in a car

Driving to The City or Yosemite,

But when we arrived, he’d hate to stop

Even when I’d beg, “I have to pee!”

 

I’d ask him for help with my math

But he would always say,

”Go ask your mom, I don’t know –

I missed the lesson in school that day!”

 

He rarely darkened a church’s door

Unless a wedding or funeral required.

He said he had to work on Sundays

Or else, “Surely, you know, I’d be fired!”

 

Hah, that’s hardly possible, dear Dad,

You own the business; you’re the boss.

But even though we pleaded hard,

He’d never go. So much our loss!

 

A more endearing, Christ-like man

You’d never hope to meet.

He never spoke an unkind word,

And every stranger he was first to greet.

 

An alter boy when he was young,

He learned his Catechism well.

Church or not, as an adult,

He sparkled an angelic spell.

 

My dad was more than I could ask.

He loved me through and through.

Dad, I wish every girl and boy

Could have a Daddy just like you!

Nut Cracker

When my dear daddy, Sal,

Left behind his earthly pain

He took with him some items

But left behind the main.

He took his smile and chuckle,

His twinkle and his hugs,

But he left behind his calendars

And the fancy cut glass mugs.

He took his constant excuses,

Like “I missed that day in school,”

But he left his love of convertibles

(Our son thinks they’re pretty cool).

He took his love of walnuts

But the nuts he left behind;

They’re his daughters, Jan & Sally,

-And we’ve got his nutcracker, too-

(We knew he wouldn’t mind!)

Happy Father’s Day and Happy Crackin’ to all the nutty dads out there!

Follow Me

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Follow Me

Follow me, little one –

I will not lead you astray.

Follow me, innocent one –

I’ll follow you someday.

While you are young

And growing more each day,

Let me guide your footsteps

In a safe and thoughtful way.

When you face some crossroads

And wonder where to turn,

Let me help you choose, and

Let me help you learn.

Soon enough you’ll find me

Needing help, seeking your advice.

But for now, follow me, my love –

Your company feels so nice!

Partners

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For fifty-six years we have been

Partners in this world

Jointly taking all the crap

And all the love unfurled.

 

Never when first we met

Would I have ever guessed

Our union would result in this

A true unbridled test

 

Do you love me – really love

Enough to join the crew

Of volunteers at the Sr. Center

If so, show me – show me true

 

Don the apron, do your part

Wash the dishes – scrub

I’ll be here soups-cheffing

Preparing all the grub

 

Did I hear you acquiesce

Did you really say you could

Oh, my dear, you passed the test

Of course, I knew you would!

Sleepless

alarm alarm clock analogue antique

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Time has no meaning

When the hour says sleep

But the mind won’t rest

It’s no use counting sheep

 

The sheep just leap

In endless white streams

Over fences and clouds

And steal my dreams

 

I toss and I turn

And finally give in

Time has no meaning

Much to my chagrine

 

So whatever the hour

Be it twelve o’clock or two

Come visit my blog

I’ll be sleepless with you

 

 

Let His Love Light Shine

Sermon notes from 6/3/18 – Rev. Jean Johnson’s message inspired by Mark: 2:23 – 3:6 – filtered through the ears & pen of Jan Beekman

Let His Love Light Shine

 

We are servants of God,

So, do not lose heart.

The glory of God has shined

In and through us from the start.

 

Jesus Christ is our Lord.

He rose victorious from the dead.

His resurrection assures us

When we die, we’ll live instead.

 

The Lord surely restores us.

He guards and lovingly guides us.

The Lord, our God, is here

In us; seeking, He finds us.

 

Through the Holy Spirit,

God communicates. Hear Him speak.

We are called to carefully listen –

To obey boldly; don’t be meek.

 

Christ’s Glory is the glory of

Truth and Love shining through

In the midst of death and decay.

It’s forgiveness for me and for you.

 

God calls us to continually be

Followers in Truth and Love.

Our job is to live the Gospel message.

Let His Light shine through you from above.

 

Amen?

Amen!

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