THE HERE AND NOW

Here, now, a year is ending,
A year filled with moments of pain
Here, now, a heart needs mending
Before a new year arrives in vain.
Look at the trees outside,
The old leaves are dying and brown
Look at them wither away,
Finally falling lifeless to the ground.
We could learn a lesson
From Mother Nature's grand design
We could learn to let things go
Before they make us wither, grow cold and die
For how can new leaves begin to grow
If the old ones hold too tightly
For how can the buds of promise form
If faded foliage will not set them free
When you see those trees in springtime
All you can see are buds and hits of green
When you see those trees in Maytime
New blooms hond the promise of a summer yet to be
All the lifeless leaves have fallen
They lie on the ground and out of sight
All the lifeless leaves have a new purpose
Nurturing the tree to reach new heights.
If only we could learn from that
And leave the hurtful past behind us
If only we could let go the pain
And keep only the lessons to remind us.
We can choose to let old wounds
Keep us from growing in the time to come
We can choose to let old wounds heal
And grow stronger, turning our eyes toward the sun
Here, now a year is beginning once more
A year filled with the promise of laughter
Here, now a heart reaches to open the door
On a future of hope and "happily-ever-after."

FOR OUR BELOVED

I have looked for inspiration today
...in the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves
...in photo albums full of faded memories.

I have looked for consolation today
...in the arms of those I hold most dear
...in the pieces of her that still lay near.

I have looked for hope today
... in the eyes of my family and friends
... in the mercy of God which never ends.

I have looked for life today
...in the tall pines that remain evergreen
...in the October air, so crisp and clean.

I have looked for a reason to love today
...in the comfort of a hand held tight
...in the warmth of the dappled sunlight.

Yet no matter where I search, nothing did I find
to ever compare to the inspiration, consolation, hope and life...
Given to me by that gentle soul, my reason to smile,
my reason to love, my Mother -- a sweet friend and a loving Wife.
In the many days to come we'll all look to see her standing there...
Smiling at us, reaching out to us, telling us she cares.
We'll look to see her offering her shoulder, always willing to do her part...
And the most incredible miracle of all is when we look she'll really be there
in the window of our heart.

Written by..... Angel (Barnett) Lloyd           
in loving tribute to her beloved Mother