Saturday, December 31, 2011

In Memory Of One Man On His Birthday in Heaven









I suppose that there are those
Who'll say he had it easy
Had it made in fact
Before he'd even begun
But they don't know the things I know
I was always with him
It may sound strange
We were more than friends

Its hard to tell the truth
When no one wants to listen
When no one really cares
Whats going on
And its hard to stand alone
When you need someone beside you
Your spirit and your faith
They must be strong

What one man can do is dream
What one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world
And make it young again
Here you see what one man can do

As shaded as his eyes might be
That's how bright his mind is
That's how strong his love
For you and me
A friend to all the universe
Grandfather of the future
And everything I would like to be

What one man can do is dream
What one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world
And make it young again
Here you see what one man can do

What one man can do is dream
What one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world
And make it young again
Here you see what one man can do

Words and music by John Denver 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Prayer For An Unknown Man

An Excerpt from my diary: January 1, 2008

Today while driving my granddaughter home to New Jersey, I must admit that I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I had such a long drive ahead and I wasn't feeling very well.

Suddenly, my daughter Jennifer asked, "Is that a intravenous bag hanging in the rear window of that white car just ahead?" I peered and replied that I too thought that it looked like an IV bag. We commented back and forth with our thoughts on why it was there. One was a sick pet, another a sick person. My daughter works at a hospital and didn't think that a patient would be released with an IV still in them.

Whatever the reason the driver was speeding and soon was out of sight. A few more miles down the road I noticed the car pulled onto the shoulder. The back door was open and a balding man was throwing up out the door.

My ailments are cumbersome, but not life threatening. Sometimes I get depressed because my life had taken a downward turn in 2004 when I injured my spine,the nerves in my leg and arm, and have RSDS. But, this unknown man in the car on the side of the road gave me a new perspective to how I felt today.

I wondered why the inhabitants of this white car were hurrying down this interstate highway on the first day of 2008 with such a sick passenger. I pray for them that they get safely to their destination, and that they find peace and comfort waiting for them. I pray for this man's healing whoever he may be.

May you all find peace and comfort with a total healing this year.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

May The Blessing Of Peace Be With You This Christmas and Always



Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new-born king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum

Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new-born king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
to lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
so to honour him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
when we come

Little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
And he smiled at me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
me and my drum

Peace on Earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on Earth, can it be
Can it be

Friday, December 23, 2011

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

I say Merry Christmas, but would also say Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate Hanukkah. I do not wish to force my religion on anyone, but to me the actual Jesus Christ came with the message of Unconditional Love and Peace and that is a wonderful message to spread to anyone. It is man who has misconstrued the meaning of his birth, life, and death. The Pharisees instigated his death, because he did not subscribe to their philosophy and interpretation of laws. He told them the greatest law was to Love God your Father with all your heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself. I also know that Jesus would have celebrated Hanukkah. 



The best gifts to give this season is unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness. I have heard judgmental people who claim to be Christians say we should not put up a Christmas tree or spread the belief in Santa Clause. Well to them I say, "Yes, Jesus gives us our gifts and one of them was Santa Clause!" My Godmother always said, "Your Christmas Tree is your Christmas Card to Jesus!" When I decorate my tree each ornament has a meaning and a memory, some from when my girls were children, some from those who have since passed on. Decorating my tree is a heart warming, loving experience. Christ was all for Love and Peace not creating drama over tradition! Say whatever you feel good about saying! Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Re-Post One of my favorite poems at Christmastime

Annie and Willie's Prayer, One of my favorite Christmas Poems

Written by Sophia Snow


Twas the eve before Christmas, good night had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed.
There were tears on their pillows, and tears in their eyes,
And each little bosom was heaving with sighs,
For tonight their stern father's command had been given
That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead of at eight--for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before.
He had told them he thought this delusion a sin,
No such creature as "Santa Claus", ever had been
And he hoped, after this, he would never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
so restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.

Eight, nine and the clock on the steeple tolled ten,
Not a word had been spoken by either till then.
When Willie's sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, "Dear Annie, is you fast asleep?"
Why no, brother Willie," a sweet voice replies,
"I've long tried in vain, but I can't shut my eyes,
For somehow it makes me so sorry because
Dear Papa has said that there is no "Santa Claus."
"Now we know that there is, and it can't be denied,
For he came every year before Mama died.
But, then, I've been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would hear everything Mama would say,
And maybe she asked him to send Santa Claus here
With that sackful of presents he brought every year."
"Well,why can't we pray just as Mama did then,
And ask God to send him with presents again?"
"I've been thinking so to," and without a word more
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast.
"Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we're sure to receive:
You must wait very still till I say the 'Amen,'
And by that you will know that your turn has come then."
"Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking of thee.
I want a wax dolly, a tea set, and ring,
And an ebony work box that shuts with a spring.
Bless Papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us as much as does he,
Don't let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie, Amen"
"Please Jesus, let Santa Claus come down tonight,
and bring us some presents before it is light,
I want he should div' me a nice little sled,
With bright shinin' runners, and all painted red;
A box full of candy, a book and a toy,
and then, dear Jesus, I'll be a good boy.Amen"

Eight, nine and the little French clock had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of his children again.
He seems now to hear Annie's half suppressed sighs,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie's blue eyes.
"I was harsh with my darlings," he mentally said,
"And should not have sent them so early to bed,
But then I was troubled, my feelings found vent,
For bank stock today has gone down ten percent.
But of course they've forgotten their troubles ere this,
And that I denied then the trice asked for kiss,
But, just to make sure, I'll go up to their door,
For I never spoke harshly to my darlings before."
So saying, he softly ascended the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers.
His Annie's "Bless Papa" drew forth the big tears,
And Willie's grave promise fell sweet on his ears.
"Strange-strange-I'd forgotten," said he with a sigh,
"How I longed when a child, to have Christmas draw nigh."
"I'll atone for my harshness" he inwardly said,
"By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed."
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat, coat and boots, and was out in the street,
A millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet!
Nor stopped he until he bought everything
From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring.
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered a score.
Then homeward he turned, with his holiday load,
With Aunt Mary's help, in the nursery was stowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree,
By the side of a table spread out for her tea.
A work box well fitted in the center was laid,
And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed.
A soldier in uniform stood by a sled
"With bright shinning runners and all painted red."
There were balls, dogs, and horses books pleasing to see,
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree!
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood at the top,
as if getting ready more presents to drop.
As the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid,
And he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear,
"I'm happier tonight than I've been in a year.
I've enjoyed more pure pleasure than ever before,
What care I if bank stocks fall ten per cent more.
Hereafter, I'll make it a rule, I believe
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve."
So thinking, he gently extinguished the light,
And tripping down stairs, retired for the night.
As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
Put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one,
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied,
They out of their bed they sprang with a bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them found.
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent glee,
And shouted for Papa to come quick and see
What presents Old Santa Claus brought in the night
Just the things that they wanted and left before light.
"And now," added Annie, in a voice soft and low,
"You'll believe there's a 'Santa Claus', Papa I know."
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee.
Determined no secret between them should be,
And told him soft whispers how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed Mama, so long ago dead,
Used to kneel down by the side of her chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered her prayers.
"Then we dot up and prayed dust well as we could,
And God answered our prayers,now wasn't he good?"
"I should say that he was, if he sent you all these,
And knew just what presents my children would please.
"Well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf,
it would be cruel to tell him I did it myself."


Blind father! Who caused your stern heart to relent,
and the hasty words spoken so soon to repent?
Twas the being who bade you to steal softly upstairs,
and made you his agent to answer their prayers.