Sometimes

(April 15, 2009)


Sometimes we're angry.
Sometimes we're glad.
Sometimes we're weepy.
Sometimes we're sad.

Sometimes we laugh and there's no reason why.
Sometimes we feel we could just up and die.
Sometimes we look for the positive way.
Sometimes we wonder if there'll be another day.

Sometimes we listen and hear nothing new.
Sometimes we reason that there's too much to do.
Sometimes we're amazed by the friends that we know.
Sometimes we're dazed by the love that they show.

Sometimes we listen to each other breathe.
Sometimes we wish that we wouldn't have to leave.
Sometimes we think that we are just lucky.
Sometimes we love when things are "just ducky".

Sometimes we watch too much for a sign.
Sometimes we wish it would just turn benign.
Sometimes we wonder how God could do this.
Sometimes we ponder why He gave us such bliss.

Sometimes we think that God isn't "up there".
Sometimes we doubt that He really does care.
Sometimes we contemplate His all-knowing nature.
Sometimes we can't believe we're His creature.

Sometimes "we're fine!" with a wink and a nod.
Sometimes we just don't know where to trod.
Sometimes we wish for another new day.
Sometimes we feel that every thing's grey.

But at all times our faith is in God whom we trust.
And at all times we know whether in boom or in bust.
That in all times He shows us that He is the one.
Because of the love of His very own Son.

Family

“Now I lay me down to sleep
I will not, this night, fain to weep. 
Tonight I really think it best
To get a good night’s sleep and rest.

I do this ‘cause my family’s here
Each one that I hold near and dear.
One daughter, in which I’ve so much pride,
Some days she's mentor and and my guide.

One son is back from far away,
How much I love him I can’t say.
Our youngest is our Christmas Gift,
I think of him and get a lift.

My family is a special thing,
That’s why I gave my wife a ring.
And she’s the reason I am glad,
That I am married and a dad.

Graduation Song

my words, - most of them - 
Tune is "O Wondrous Love" by John Peterson
Sung by me at Cindy's Masters Degree Celebration, June 7th, 2009
--------------------------------------

At Beth-el College I found her.
She's the one 'twas meant for me.
She was Swedish and said "ya-sure"
When I asked:  My Wife, she'd be...

Oh wondrous love she laid upon my soul.
To be my wife and then I'd be made whole.
Through all my days and then in Heav'n above
My song will silence never, 
     I'll always love her ever,
           And thank the Lord who reigns above.

Thirty-three years now she's been my wife
That is why to her I sing.
God has given us a good life
and such joy He doth us bring.
 
Oh wondrous love He laid upon our soul.
When man and wife we were made whole.
Through all our days and then in Heav'n above
Our song will silence never, 
     He'll always love us ever,
           So we will thank the Lord above.

Spring

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011 1:59 PM, CST

I walked the dog this morning at eight.
It was quiet and calm.  Then I heard something great.
A tweet!  Yes, a real one.  Not the electronic kind.
A tweet!  Yes, a real one.  And it tickled my mind.

Could it be?  Was it really the harbinger of Spring?
Did I hear it correctly?  Yes!  My heart wanted to sing!
"Look UP, there's a Robin!"  I almost did cry.
But the dog doesn't care if the winter's gone by.

I miss..

(july 28, 2009 - the day after Cindy died)


I miss the "Hey, Johnson" when I come thru the door.
I miss the "take a Tylenol if your legs are so sore."
I miss the glance of "who will make supper?"
I miss all the things that were super-duper.

I miss laying down in our bedroom at night.
And listening for breaths, especially when they were slight.
I miss "brush your teeth" as a reminder to Willy
I miss her teasing him and making him feel silly.

I miss calling the doctor and asking for more pills
I miss being able to care for her ills.
I miss being able to get her some food.
I miss wondering whether we can do any good.

I miss saying to her:  "Who loves you today?"
And finding so many who had said they would pray.
I miss hearing her toothbrush, buzzing along.
I miss being able to sing her a song.

But most of all I miss her love for us four
Who still must go in and out of that door
To the world that just goes on in it's hurriedly way
Yet we still remember just what she would say:

"I love you guys, have a great time, and God bless."
"And don't do anything that will cause a big mess."
"Be sure to remember what God wants you to do."
"And then you'll be sure that He'll bring you right through." 

Just Desserts

(July 31, 2009)

I think that I shall never see, a poem as beautiful as a tree...
(nope, that's not it)

I think that trees will never be, as wooden as I think of me...
(nope, that's not it)

I think that I'm a crazy nut, who should go sit inside a hut...
(It's true, but nope, that's not it) 

I hope that I can finally think, of rhymes that do not make a stink...
(nope, that's not it either!)

AHA!  HERE'S the Rhyme I wanted!!!  ===>
(Inspired by desserts left for me to eat)

I think that I shall never be,
as happy as when, at home, I see;

a gift dropped off, before our eyes
a gift that was a big surprise!

And now my hungry mouth is 'pressed',
Upon Chocolate, which is the best!

Chocolate God sent me today,
So I lift my beefy arms and pray.

He also sent sweet, scrumptious, pie
That puts a twinkle in my eye.

Oh weight! So lost, is coming back?
As I, my face, I love to pack...

With naughty, nasty, calories,
that soon might make me more obese.

Now I must surely watch myself,
and exercise more than an elf.     (<==?? - oh well, it rhymes)

"But all is well" my stomach sighs,
"I sure can take this yummy prize!"

My craving, sated, lets my mind,
come back to those who are so kind,

That they, of me, today did think
So into depths, I did not sink.

And now I rub my empty pate,
Trying to think of words, it's late.

 So, Poems are made by fools like me.
 But desserts you make, are good to see.

State Fair

August 2009 (at the State Fair)

Alone in the crowd I look as I stand. 

And I notice that no one is taking my hand.

Like the teenage young couples who go by in stride.

Not knowing or seeing that I’m crying inside.

Alone at the Fair I see things “on a stick”.

I know that too much stuff can make me real sick.

So I don’t even go and ask for “just one”.

Alone at the Fair really isn’t much fun.

Alone on the street I look all around.

And sense that most others really are bound.

To somewhere or someplace that they’d like to go.

Perhaps for some food or the new Grandstand show.

Alone on the grass I have no place to run.

So I sit and I watch all the others have fun.

Some “old” people pass by and go every which way.

As I sit there and sigh and waste more of the day.

Alone at the Mini-Donut place my mouth waters.

I don’t get some tho, and I wonder who bothers.

To notice the middle aged man by himself.

Like some knick knack that sits alone on a shelf.

Alone in the lights my eyes soon glaze over.

But I look down and see a rare four-leaf clover.

“Just like me” I think, “and it’s doing just fine”.

So I thank the Lord for this one little sign.

Alone in a crowd?  Now I don’t quite think so.

And I think I am lucky from my head to my toe.

For a memory inside that is really quite sweet:

Of a time “we” came here and that time was real neat.

December 11, 2009

My song for Jenny's Wedding (without comment) that I sang to the tune of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" - not the traditional, but the Casting Crowns version...

I hear the bells at Christmas time
And wax nostalgic and sublime
I think its good and really neat
To know two people who are so sweet 

And now we meet together
We’re braving winter weather
To wish them love forever

Jenny and Juan are wed today 

We pay respect to mothers gone
To be without them seems too wrong
But family’s come together now
To bless our children in their vow

And with friends we gather
With sisters and with brothers
Does anybody wonder 

Why jenny and Juan are wed today?

I love them both, that much I’ll say
And pray for them each and every day 

God bless you both, on Him depend,
These prayers for you I’ll always send

Sometime I’ll send you on your way
El Salvador is warm they say
I’ll save up my vacation time
And on a beach I’ll make more rhyme. 

Juan, take care of my daughter
Always just like you ought-er
Or face the wrath of a father

Jenny and Juan, you’re wed today

Do you feel the love I’m bringin’
In this song that I am singin’
With all my heart I say it: que Dios les bendiga

Jenny and Juan
Jenny and Juan
Jenny and Juan

God bless you!

New Years Day 2010

(January 1, 2010)


As I wake up on this glad and sad day
The New Year has just begun.
Peeking through the shade just now,
A little ray of sun.

But in the night I just broke down.
I cried, and cried, and cried.
If someone would have heard me then
They'd think "someone just died".

It's been six months, yet seems so fresh
I really cannot tell.
If I am sinking into depths,
descending into Hell.

Or if I'm slowly rising up
and the ray of sun is hope.
I'm not Catholic, I can't ask
a Blessing from the Pope.

"Nothing to do" I think today:
It's really just a lie.
There's plenty that I can make  up
"Get busy, then, don't cry".

Fix broken headlight, get a battery check,
'twill prob'ly do some good.
A stroll around the local Mall
Will maybe lift my mood.

"It's not so bad" says ray of sun,
"this isn't how it ends".
"And you have got to learn some verse
For "Screwtape" and his friends."

So I get up, now "on my way"
I'll take the day in stride.
And pray that Someone is nearby
To be my Daily Guide.

Valentine's Day, 2010

(Written Feb 11, 2010)


What do you do with a day that is blue
And everyone thinks it is red. 
Some think about love, or a cute cooing dove, 
But I think that its filled with dread. 

For me it's much strife, and it hurts like a knife, 
Yet the calendar marches straight on. 
The "holiday" comes, and my heart beats like drums, 
So for me, I feel real put upon. 

In my head I think "now, don't have such a cow," 
"You'll prob'ly be fine in the end." 
But one body part, which is really my heart 
Says "there's no one on which to depend." 

'My Cindy has gone and it feels much too wrong." 
"Will it ever feel like it is right?" 
"Who Knows?" says my brain, when I'm in such sad pain, 
But my soul intercedes "There's a light:" 

"It is bright as the Son, what He said will be done".
 And finally I sense a great calm. 
For me He will answer, "there's a reason for cancer." 
"I promise a true healing balm."   

This balm, it may sting, 'cause it's made by a King, 
On a cross that has never grown small. 
I will put it on thick, maybe that is the trick. 
'Cause in Him I find my all in all.