I want to live on this street ~

I want to know those that live here, love here, laugh here ~

Age has nothing to do with it, except

that I cannot go make dreams like this come true ~

there are others now to think of, obligations to consider,

but oh, my dreams still take me here, still stir my soul ~

so I look at pictures such as this and I wonder,

and dream, and ponder, and know that one day

I just might walk down this street. And not in my dreams ~

for it is my dreams of yesteryear that made my life today.

Ah Ian, I read in my journal last night

that this time six years ago your mother

was about eleven weeks pregnant with you.

I wrote of our excitement and anticipation

of meeting you for the first time~

You have brought such delight to our days, to mine.

You are smart, sensitive, loving, and curious.

You love cartoons, Lego's, and brownies.

Noah brings a bit of angst to your days,

but you humor and tolerate him well~

I see the best parts of your mum and your dad in you.

Your father's laughter, your mommy's love,

all wrapped up with his eyes and her nose.

Watching you and Noah brings such contentment,

such happiness to my soul and I relish

each and every moment with the two of you.

Always know you are loved,

you were prayed for,

you were awaited.

And I?

I shall always be

one of your most adoring fans.

Forever, and a day~

To Austin & Ian, With Much Love ~

Do not follow where the path may lead.

Go, instead, where there is no path

and leave a trail ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards.

My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold,

and wear sombreros ~ Paul Freund

Be who you are and say what you feel,

because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind ~ Dr. Seuss

~~~~~~~

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss,

you'll land among the stars ~ Les Brown

~~~~~~~

and my favorite,

Wherever you go,

go with all your heart ~ Confucius

Oh my beautiful grandsons, you are loved dearly, prayed over daily, and watched over keenly. There are so many delightful days ahead for you, go boldly into Life and know you will fare well.

A Pocketful of Sunshine

See this smile? It is genuine.
And I got to see it recently,
on a trip to the Gulf Coast.
You may remember,
those of you that follow along,
a post on Heartstrings.
She was venturing into life again.
Bravely, boldly, hopefully.
And now ~
This precious friend of mine,
has met someone;
and he has brought delight,
smiles, & laughter to her days.
To add to this journey of hers,
she has sold her home & is making
the dream of living on the Gulf Coast
her reality, her life.
And she smiles ~
Thank you, Richard, for coming into her life.
From those of us that know and love her,
we welcome you into our homes
our hearts, and we look forward
to many years of laughter,
trips together, and knowing
the one we love
has found someone to love ~

Above his head they placed

the written charge against him:

this is Jesus, the king of the jews.
Matthew 27:37

My child, I've seen your tears

as you read of My death.

Never forget that I died

for all people everywhere.

My own rejected Me because they

did not understand who I was.

When they ask, I will forgive them,

just as I have forgiven you.

Remember always, you are royalty.

You are a child of the King.

Daily in Your Presence~

He was her son, his brother, a friend to many.

He was a former student, a bright

and engaging personality.

It came to an abrupt end at some point this weekend

and we are left with questions and tears.

Kirk loved and was loved.

His death brings us to our knees

and to the arms of each other.

Death can be cruel but it loses its power

when we reach out to others

and turn toward the One that cries with us.

I have long loved the sculpture of the Weeping Angel

and thought of it when I got the news last night

that Kirk is no longer a part of our world.

He will remain in our hearts, our memories,

but he no longer will be on the end of the phone

or share life with family and friends.

We will cry and we will miss him.

We have lost too many in this little community,

in this tight knit place.
My heart aches and hurts for the pain

his mother is enduring. And will forever live with.

The weeping angel. Heaven is aware.

He cares and comforts.

And oh, oh, how we need that now~

No eye has seen,
nor ear has heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared
for those who love him.

~1 Corinthians 2:9