Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Barack Obama (President of the United States) wrote and published 2 Poems

Now it's time out. As the case with ALL prior poems published on this blog, I've included my opinion and a brief literary explanation of the poem.  However in this case, I've elected just to publish President Obama's poems on this blog without any explanation. As most of my readers know, I also write a blog called 'Obama in the White House' which can be found at http://www.obamainthewhitehouse.us .  Many people do not know that the President actually published the following two poems when he was a college student.   

Link disclaimerObama as Poet

President-elect Barack Obama
President Barack Obama
Courtesy of Barack Obama: U.S. Senator for Illinois Web site 
When President Obama was a 19-year-old student at Occidental College, he published two poems in the spring 1982 issue of Feast, the school's literary magazine. The first poem, "Pop," appears to capture a moment between the young Obama and his maternal grandfather, Stanley Dunham. The bond between the two is reinforced at the end of the poem by the framing and reflective properties of Pop's glasses.
"Pop"
Sitting in his seat, a seat broad and broken
In, sprinkled with ashes,
Pop switches channels, takes another
Shot of Seagrams, neat, and asks
What to do with me, a green young man
Who fails to consider the
Flim and flam of the world, since
Things have been easy for me;
I stare hard at his face, a stare
That deflects off his brow;
I’m sure he’s unaware of his
Dark, watery eyes, that
Glance in different directions,
And his slow, unwelcome twitches,
Fail to pass.
I listen, nod,
Listen, open, till I cling to his pale,
Beige T-shirt, yelling,
Yelling in his ears, that hang
With heavy lobes, but he’s still telling
His joke, so I ask why
He’s so unhappy, to which he replies...
But I don’t care anymore, cause
He took too damn long, and from
Under my seat, I pull out the
Mirror I’ve been saving; I’m laughing,
Laughing loud, the blood rushing from his face
To mine, as he grows small,
A spot in my brain, something
That may be squeezed out, like a
Watermelon seed between
Two fingers.
Pop takes another shot, neat,
Points out the same amber
Stain on his shorts that I’ve got on mine, and
Makes me smell his smell, coming
From me; he switches channels, recites an old poem
He wrote before his mother died,
Stands, shouts, and asks
For a hug, as I shink, my
Arms barely reaching around
His thick, oily neck, and his broad back; ‘cause
I see my face, framed within
Pop’s black-framed glasses
And know he’s laughing too.
When asked to comment on the merit of "Pop," Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of the Humanities and English at Yale University, described it as “not bad—a good enough folk poem with some pathos and humor and affection.... It is not wholly unlike Langston Hughes, who tended to imitate Carl Sandburg." [1] Obama's poetry, Bloom makes clear, is much superior to the poetry of former President Jimmy Carter (Bloom calls Carter "literally the worst poet in the United States").
President Obama's second poem, "Underground," is more exotic and obscure:
"Underground"
Under water grottos, caverns
Filled with apes
That eat figs.
Stepping on the figs
That the apes
Eat, they crunch.
The apes howl, bare
Their fangs, dance,
Tumble in the
Rushing water,
Musty, wet pelts
Glistening in the blue.
Bloom feels that "Underground" is the better of Obama's two poems, reminiscent of some of D. H. Lawrence's poetry: “I think it is about some sense of chthonic forces, just as Lawrence frequently is—some sense, not wholly articulated, of something below, trying to break through.” [2]
While President Obama's poetry displays some signs of talent, by choosing politics over poetry he made, like the other poetry-writing presidents before him, the right career choice. As Bloom notes: “If I had been shown these poems by one of my undergraduates and asked, Shall I go on with it?, I would have rubbed my forehead and said, On the whole, my dear, probably not. Your future is not as a person of letters.“
Although President Obama may not have written poetry since his college years, his fondness for poetry remains. Obama was seen carrying Derek Walcott's Collected Poems, 1948-1984 shortly after his election; invited Elizabeth Alexander to read a poem at his inauguration; hosted, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, a celebration of poetry, music and the spoken word at the White House; and noted in a recent interview that he reads Urdu poetry
Notes
1. All quotations by Harold Bloom from Rebecca Mead's "Obama, Poet," (http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/07/02/
070702ta_talk_mead
The New Yorker, July 2, 2007).
2. To read other assessments of Obama's poetry, many less positive than Harold Bloom's, see "Obama's Poetry Skills Draw Scrutiny" (http://media.www.oxyweekly.com/media/storage/paper1200/news/2007/04/04/News/
Obamas.Poetry.Skills.Draw.Scrutiny-2822022.shtml
The Occidental Weekly, April 4, 2007).

Monday, October 11, 2010

Poof gone bye bye (Poem)

Looking back sometimes makes you ask a simple question "Is it worth it?" You know that it is, but sometimes you work so hard at it, and in a moments time, it could be gone. That's almost funny, as it happened to me just yesterday while writing. All of a sudden, all of my time and effort to write was for not, because just as I was posting another poem here, my computer froze with the 'blue screen of death'. But then I came across this poem.Then I realized that it is worth it. A moment of uncontrolled anger hit me when it happened, but then I realized that all I lost were a few words. Here is a simple poem (author unknown) that had me laughing after that moment of anger. Has this ever happened to you while writing your blog?


 Poof gone bye bye (poem)

I sat here this morning with freezing cold feet
And wrote a poem that was beautiful and sweet 

And when I hit the button to make it post  now
It just vanished into thin air some how 

I worked so hard, it took me so long
And some how my poem just didn't belong 

Because it went poof, gone, bye bye
I trembled inside and wanted to cry 

Where did it go and why did it leave
I may never know,all I can do now is grieve 

Poof gone bye bye, it's gone out the door
My feet are still freezing,and my poem is no more

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A Dream for You

A wonderful thing a mind can do, and that's is to dream. Most people cannot control their dreams. It is a product of a subconscious mind. Physically, you appear to be sleeping, but a mental condition exists that claims your mind is awake, and it is what we know as a dream. What do you really want to dream about? Maybe it's your upcoming vacation, or a vacation that you remember that was already taken. For me, I would hope it could be about that very special person in my life. In the past, I could hardly remember any dream. But presently now married to Virginia, I seem to now have dreams that I can remember, great dreams, that are kind of personal. But it's just the thought that I truly dream about Virginia that proves that our relationship is special. The following poem, written by Richard Netherland Cook, is a specal poem in which everything is happy and beautiful forever.

A Dream For You
© Richard Netherland Cook


If I could dream
The dream I wanted too,
I would close my eyes,
And dream a dream for you.

I would give you all the world,
That you are deserving of,
And to you I would give
My everlasting love.

I would see to it,
That you were never sad.
And nothing in your life
Would ever happen bad.

I would wish for you,
All things would go your way,
And you would always be happy,
Each and every day.

In my dream
You would stay 
Just as beautiful
As you are today.

Life for you would be as perfect
As the blueness of the sky,
And no one would ever hurt you,
Or ever make you cry.

I know it's just a dream,
But if dreams could come true,
I would close my eyes,
And dream a dream for you.

Richard Netherland Cook
Copyright, 2007

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Truly Knowing Yourself

I can remember the times before I met my wife Virginia, and during these times, I felt that I had everything in my life, but later to find out how wrong I was. Two prior marriages, two women who were part of my life, I thought I knew my feelings and my heart, but I didn't. Many years passed when I actually thought that I had everything a man could surely want in life, but I realized how wrong I was when I finally met my wife Virginia. As the saying goes, the third time is the charm, and surely it was. never have I ever been so happy as I am now, nor how much fulfillment I have in my life all because of the most special woman in my life, Virginia. Below is a poem by Joanna Fuchs, a terrific writer who writes from her heart.


Until I Met You
By Joanna Fuchs

Before I met you,
I thought I was happy,
and I was,
but I had never known
the rich contentment,
deep satisfaction,
and total fulfillment
you brought to me
when you came into my life.
Before I met you,
I felt a lot of things,
good things,
but I had never experienced
the indescribably intense
feelings I have for you.
Before I met you,
I thought I knew myself,
and I did,
but you looked deep inside me
and found fresh new things
for us to share.
Before I met you,
I thought I knew about love,
but I didn’t,
until I met you.


Monday, September 13, 2010

Even with a sense of 'Hopelessness' you can find the Answer

Obviously, not all poems are about love. Not all poems are about happy times. One of those not so happy times can be when you feel a sense of hopelessness. It is a feeling of abandonment, a feeling of loneliness. It is a time that bears the fact that nothing will help. It is a time that many people turn to their faith for answers, not expecting that an answer will come. It is a time that you wander aimlessly, not knowing which way to go. The following poem demonstrates this terrible feeling, but people who experience hopelessness must realize that they are not alone. They must realize that tomorrow may and most likely bring along a better day. When you experience hopelessness, it is just another way that God is testing you. If you feel that you are falling into this void of despair, then know that things can and will get better. The better day will come with your patience, and your trust in all that is good around you, including your faith.

Hopelessness
by Weeping Wolf

So it comes down to this.
Dreams burned into the dust
Joys swept under the rug
Trembling beneath the smile,
Tears trying to hold back tears
Like getting lost on a rainy road
without a home. without a friend.

All my sunny days are gone
All my lonely nights are long
I have friends but none that see
the chains are gone, but am i free?
And not a caring word to be spoken
Not a pair of open arms to be known.

Who will help me make it through another day?
Sweet Jesus, what encouragement could you say?
When I feel i have turned the other cheek
to be hit down again and again, to what gain?
When I let them drag me, pull me down,
to be their lamb to the slaughter, for what pain?

All my sunny days are gone
All my lonely nights are long
Oh I've lived the passion and I've felt the rain
But how long to wait till love surpasses pain?

Sunday, September 5, 2010

The Mystery behind POEMS

Unlike news stories, poems never seem to grow old. They are never yesterdays news. In some cases, they may have an effect to have direct bearing on the news of the day. It could be last years news or todays news, and it surely may relate to news that is yet to happen. Words of a poem can reflect on past, present and future days events. So unlike news stories, they never grow old. A poem written 200 years ago may have an effect on someone who reads it today. In many cases, they can have an effect on a person that a major news story can bring. Poems sometimes represent the simplest, yet most complete outine of a subject. It can catch the eye of a reader in the least amount of words, better than any short story. A good poem is a very special poem. It could be a special poem for someone, whether it is for a loved one or a friend, or even a poem of inspiration. A poem could contain just a bunch of words that rhyme, but then can also contain words with deep meaning, and may have a story to tell. Don't think that poems are just for ladies. If you ever wanted to dig deep inside of yourself and write some serious stuff, try writing a good poem.

What are Poems

Poems can be words that symbolize you.

Poems are images that you imagine.

Poems are conversations or voices that you want to profess from your heart.

Poems can be noises of different sounds.

Poems are things that can happen.

Poems can be feelings that cannot be expressed in other ways.

Poems are laughter of the people who cry inside. A form of expression.

Poems wouldn't exist without someone writing them or someone reading them.



Friday, September 3, 2010

Wishful Thinking - The Kind that Comes True

My wife Virginia, as supportive as she always is, has convinced me to continue writing, even though I've had some reservations recently to do so. Sometimes I have the time to contemplate and write my own poems. Sometimes like now, I don't really have the time, but since there are so many poems published and available on the web, I thought I may share them with you from time to time. The following poem is one of those I would like to share.   When I think of my wife, sometimes I catch my self daydreaming, or maybe it can be considered wishful thinking. 

Wishful thinking is the formation of beliefs and making decisions according to what might be pleasing to imagine instead of by appealing to evidence or rationality. Have you ever wished for something? It could be the simplest of wishes that can grant you the most pleasure. In a relationship between two people, that can definitely be the case, even with just a little wishful thinking.



Wishful Thinking
by MDK

Sometimes I wish . . .
I could be a star,
I 'd shine down on you
And brighten up your midnight sky . . .

Sometimes I wish . . .
I could be the moon,
I'd light your way
And guide you through
the night . . .

Sometimes I wish . . .
I could be the wind,
I'd blow my breeze upon you
And cool your warm nights . . .

Sometimes I wish . . .
I could be all these
So that some way, somehow
I could be near you even for a moment . . .

Sometimes I wish . . .
I could be all these
Just for you . . .




Monday, August 30, 2010

Moment of Reckoning - Dig Deep and Find Yourself

Blogging for me has been a channel to let out my frustration, sometimes anger, in a desperate way to rekindle what is deep in my heart. Specific things have happened over the last several weeks. They are facts of life, and everyone experiences them, as we cannot run away from them. My strength besides my love of writing obviously is my wife. She is my whole heart and soul, and I would never want to do anything that she would not want me to do. Lately, I managed to cover my anger by continuing to do what I enjoy the most, and that is to write. My wife is very supportive on most everything I do, but sometimes she thinks that I spend to much time writing. Maybe it could be considered that I'm trying to run away from my fears. Lately we have been apart, mainly because she has elected to work 16 hours a day. She loves to work, and enjoys helping people on her job. Without her, I've found a need to write. I could be one of those husbands who decides to go out with the guys, hit the bars, and stay away from home, but instead I've decided to stay at home, and again, do what I love to do, and that is to write.
But now, I came to a realization that I must break out of this shell and look what is around me, and appreciate what I still have. Maybe the way I've been is not normal. Do I know what really is normal? Maybe it's just the way things were before mom died. Maybe I need to work more. I am hoping that the readers of my blog will understand that I need to cut back in writing at this time. For all of the readers of 'Poems of the Heart', I wanted to thank you again for becoming my friend, and maybe in the future, I'll write again.

Again, I send a big 'thank you' to all of the special people out there.

To my 'Vivacious Wife' Virginia, I love you more than my life. 

Editor James

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Together at Last

Being away from someone you love requires patience, and as every moment goes by before you see that person again, you are filled with anticipation. Patience itself can be very rewarding, and you can read about that in another article and poem called Rewards of Patience. In the meantime, dream about being together at last....

Together At Last
by Josh

Missing you each second of every day


Trying to remember every detail of you
In every specific kind of way

I close my eyes and shut them tight
Envisioning your true beauty
As my thoughts of you take flight

And then it happens so quickly, so fast
I realize how much I love you
And how much you love me at last

And I can't help but think
What memories we'll call our past
Years from now when we grow old together

What shall we see?
What shall we do?
Where shall we go?
Who will we meet?

A million questions flash inside my head
And I come up with one answer to all of them
No matter what life brings us¦.

We'll face it together






Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Reward of Patience

One of the hardest virtues that a person can retain is Patience. It is a lesson worth learning, as the reward for radiating your patience can be be very high. It is hard to own because you must be able to show calmess and self-control even in the hardest of situations. Patience can ultimatly shower you with a reward well worth the wait, your dream becoming a reality.

The Reward of Patience
by James Frank

Patience, the lesson of virtue
The capacity of enduring hardship
Inconvienence to bear
but calmness to wear. 
Patience along with Love and Peace,
The definition of the Trinity of Compassion that gleams
Becomes the reality catching up with your dreams....

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

No Trust - No Love



People who fall in love are caught in all it's glory and beauty. The thrill of a kiss can send ones soul flying into the clouds.



But when we are afraid, or doubtful of the amount of trust we have with our beloved, the once beautiful love will fade away into oblivion. 

I have had experience. These soothing words can convince a lover growing doubtful, that the flame still burns in their trusting hearts. 

Remember, that when the trust is great and secure, the flame will continue to burn with it's warm glow . . .  
   Love cannot exist without TRUST.....  

    Trust Me With Your Heart
Why does your heart grow doubtful dear?
Tense and beating, full of fear.
I keep with me your everlasting love,
and bless the day God sent you from above.

You remain my angel and I feel that I must,
tell you that within you, you have my trust.
My love is the tide, your soul is the shores,
you have my heart, do I have yours?

I'll belong to you till the very end,
and you will forever stay as my lover and friend.
It has been so good like this from the start,
so darling please, trust me with your heart.



Thank you to the Readers of this Blog "Poems from the Heart"

People who touch my life become a big part of my life. I do not take them for granted. This goes for the people who actually read and contribute to this blog through their comments. Their concerns become my concerns. I do not know them by just words on paper.  The people whom I run accross on this blog are very special people.  They can definitely think and speak from their heart.

Just to name a few of my readers, I wanted them to know that I appreciate them and think of them throughout my day.

To name a few, there is Lisa.....

She is unemployed, but has a boyfriend who has changed her life. Her experiences in life have taught her many lessons.  She seems to be a simple gal, and doesn't require much. She is greatful for what she has and who she has in her life.
  
Then there is WenYi....

She shines with exceptional intelligence, who can quote love passages from the bible, as she has stated from scripture, one of the greatest quotes in the Bible, 'Corinthians' :  "LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND, IT DOES NOT ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT PROUD." She states very well her comments with compliments as she said " dreaming of the person you love, is one of the nicest things to dream of."  Thank you WenYi...

Then there is Dorothy L ....

An exceptional writer, who writes with meaning and commitment. All the good values in life radiate from her posts. Then she comments: "To be able to be in touch with your true feelings and to be able to express them is a gift to embrace and to never take for granted". And she says.." Your blog is a welcome of warmth and passion.... keep up the very inspiring topic." Her comments give me the strength to keep this blog going.  Thank you Dorothy L.

The following poem is for these special people and for ALL who make this blog part of their life...


Just Wanted To Say   

I just wanted to say,
You've helped me in so many ways.
You've lifted my spirits and my heart,
And I'm glad in my life your a special part.

You can see something in me,
That very few people take the time to see.
You've made me have faith that I thought I had lost,
That Id yearned to regain no matter the cost.

Thank you for the time you have spared,
To read my blog, to understand, and to care.
You've enhanced my life and have given me hope,
You've made me feel special, and that I could cope.

You've made me see that there are still,
People on this earth,
That can help renew your life, like a second birth.

I want you to know that I will be here,
If you need to talk, someone who will care.
A true friend is very hard to find, (now your friend)
And I want to thank you for being mine.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Signs of People who have fallen in Love

What are the signs that two people have fallen into love? People fall into love for a variety of reasons, and it usually starts through a simple friendship. People who fall in love forgive each others imperfections. The past never seems to be important, only the present, and the future.  It is a test by God to see how each reacts with the trials and tribulations of life. Most any obstacle will be overcome by the efforts of both individuals in love. The following verse is a testimony of true love.  

Love

Love is a friendship that has caught fire.
It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving.
It is loyalty through good and bad.
It settles for less than perfection,
and makes allowances for human weakness.
Love is content with the present.
It hopes for the future and it doesn't brood over the past.
It's the day-in and day-out chronicle of irritations, problems,
compromises, small disappointments, big victories,
and working toward common goals.
If you have love in your life,
it can make up for a great many things you lack.
If you don't have it, no matter what else there is,
it is not enough, so search for it, ask God for it, and share it!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Dreaming of YOU !

Have you ever wished you hit the lottery, but the closest you could ever get is in a dream. Hitting the lottery may not be too realistic these days, but sometimes you could imagine yourself in a dream when you hit the lottery. Are all dreams good? I should say not. Sometimes you could dream of death, or getting into a car accident, or falling out of an airplane. Some of those dreams are far out, and you would think that they could only happen in a dream.

But When I dream of you .....

When I lie down on my bed
my thoughts for you keep running in my heart
and it is flown away to search you
then I felt that I am dreaming of you
When I dream of you
I find myself close to your arms
When I dream of you
you are near to me in my soul
When I dream of you
you kiss me tenderly and say 'I love you'
When I dream of you
your thoughts stir in me
When I dream of you
your passionate words make me happy
When I dream of you
I pray God for my dream to come true
It is nice to dream of you
and I want you to share with me my love.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Music to Touch Your Heart - Thank you WenYi

Obviously, on this blog you will find poems, that tell some type of story that can be said to be written from the heart. But today, thanks to one of my readers WenYi, I read a story and watched a video that was posted on her blog. You cannot help but to be moved in your heart.
The story is about 23-year old Liu Wei.Liu when he appeared on China's Got Talent and stunned viewers with a faultless recital of the classic Mariage D'amour. It is about someone playing a beautiful piano Sonata. Some people may think that playing a piano in most cases should not be difficult. What could be so special about this contestant on Piano?!!
Thanks to WenYi, a very talented writer who writes from her heart, I would like to invite anyone who would like to see this very special video to stop by at her site at 'Weni-ism' and read this very special post, then view the video.

After listening to the Sonata, please leave your comments if you like.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Sadness to Happiness - A True Life Story about CHARICE

My wife Virginia and I have been captivated by someone whom we don't even know. Every time we hear her sing, we cry. Tears of happiness for someone who deserves what she has earned. Someone who has truely made it from the real world of sadness while growing up without her Father, to what seems to be a neverending light of happiness for someone who is so talented and deserves to be happy. Everything she has done, has been for her mom. She started off entering singing contests in the Philippines at an early age of 4, in the despirate attempt so that they could have food to eat. 
The following poem is actually a story, one that has gone from sadness to happiness. Charice Pempengco is a rising Filipino singer, recongnized now world-wide, simply known as Charice. I do not know of a bigger message to young people than the life, trials and tribulations followed by hard work, and what will seem to be the biggest payoff of them all - HAPPINESS for Charice. 


Please read another Sadness to Happiness Poem, written about Charice Pempengco of the Philippines. 
I found this poem on another blog known as 'Poems of Life and Love and Quotes' that can be found at : http://www.poemslifelove.com/2010/07/charice-riding-pyramid.html. It appears that the author may be R.S. Mallari (SpK)


Charice Riding the Pyramid
R.S. Mallari (SpK)

She was three, young and innocent
Father in rage, mother in danger
How scared was she back then?
Bitter memories for her to remember

At four she started singing songs
Taking chances on various competitions
Meager prizes to afford a pizza
Who would think she’ll become a diva?

She dreamt, she believed, she did not stop
Now traveling the world with dreams at hand
Proudly yet humbly riding the pyramid, at the top

Maybe luck has done a lot for her
But it’s just a part of her triumph
Amidst trials she did not surrender
Conquered obstacles along the path

The enigmatic tiny girl with the big voice
Tears fading away and so as her past’s scars
Stealing hearts from around the globe
It’s her time to shine, be among the stars

She dreamt, she believed, she did not stop
Now traveling the world with dreams at hand
Proudly yet humbly riding the pyramid, at the top

Let her smile, she deserves more than that
May she will continue to inspire and flare
For others to dream and never give up
Fantasies do come true, for those who dare 

She dreamt, she believed, a star was born 
Proudly yet humbly riding the pyramid, at the top
Doing what she does best, singing songs



Sadness to Happiness - A Simple Poem from the Heart

Have you ever wondered why things happen the way that they do? Sometimes things happen that make you sad, and sometimes they happen and make you happy. Maybe you are happy because someone else is happy or likewise, you are sad because someone else close to you is sad. Why would you feel this way about someone? Maybe it is because you care, or simply because that person means so very much to you. The following is the simplist of poems, a short story, feelings of sadness to happiness in someones heart. 

From Sadness To Happiness Poem
by ~shadougefan

I feel hatred and sadness inside me
Why did you have to leave me?
But then a knock is heard in my heart
and from the door
and there he is
I let him in
He shuts the door
and says,"I Love You."
and I kiss him

Sunday, August 15, 2010

What is a poem, Really?

Sometimes the simplest of poems are the ones with the biggest meanings. Many people believe that a poem is just about lines that rhyme together. In a sense, that is true, but in order to really appreciate a poem, you must read the meaning behind the words. In the following poem, the topic is obviously about 'LOVE'. Sometimes a poem can tell an entire story. Sometimes it could be a play with words. But most all the time, a poem brings out someones inner self, a part of a person that you cannot explain, except by feelings put into words. Poems have been around since the beginning of time, The topic of this poem may be the essential reason why poems exist.

LOVE CAN

Love can make you happy,
Love can make you sad.
Love comes from a mother
and also from a dad.

Love for your sister
Love for your brother.
You must love your self
along with one another.

Yes love is a big word
that carries lots of weight.
Love is just a simple word
that can erase a lot of hate.

If Love was spread more freely
in which everyone would share.
This world could be a better place
for the children that we bare.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Mom - The Strongest Power in My Life

Now is the time for reflection. I've had a wonderful life, thanks to that very special mom who unfortunately now is no longer with me. She passed away last weekend on August 7th which will be an immortal day of rememberance for me. Why is it that when a loved one is lost, that this is the time to reflect on your life, and the lives that the deceased has affected? One thing is for sure. Your life is immediately put into perspective. Like an instant realization, you now learn who you are, and what you must represent for the people around you. What you need to now know is what your life means to others. 
For me, I've lived my life, and it's been a very trying one at times. I don't live for me now, but I live for my wife Virginia, who truly carries my heart and my soul.  As late as last week, during the funeral of mom, I lost my voice, and almost not able to speak. But that was just another one of God's tests. I managed through that time, and I believe I have the strength to continue to go on, thanks to the people around me. 
Another realization that came to the surface besides the support coming from my wife was the support received from my Aunt Marie and Uncle Marc. My Aunt and Uncle have always been there when I needed support. So has been the support from my other Uncles and Aunts. They could not be at the funeral, but they have always been with me in spirit, through the pain and suffering for the past week. 
Death is such a difficult time for the survivors. For all who knew mom, it was a trying time. It was especially difficult for my sister Cindy, but she also knows that now she must live her life without mom. But what happens to be a very well known saying, is actually true. 'She is in a better place now', as for the last several years, mom suffered from Kidney failure and the effects of that, along with Dialisis treatments for 12 hours each week. 
There was a constant battle to keep her blood pressure at the proper level, but at the end, it was the lack of sufficient blood pressure that would no longer allow dialisys treatments, which eventually killed her. She lived to be 80, and will always be my personal saint that I want forever in my heart. She may be gone now by the flesh, but somehow I feel her with me always. 


Never Alone

Mom......
I feel you in the morning
When at first I awake
Your thought is with me
With each decision I make

You'd been around forever
Since the first breath I took
Now I have to go on alone
But for love, I need not look

Cause by what you bestowed
In our time on earth together
Will last in my heart
Forever and ever

Although you've left
And now walk above
I'm never alone
I'm wrapped in your love

Enjoy now your long waited reward
Feel peace that your love continues on
What was taught to me, will be taught to mine
Cause you live on in me even after you've gone

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Without You - Goodbye Mom - passed away August 7, 2010


Today, August 7, 2010 will always be a day for remembrance for me. Today marks the death of my mother. She was a person who gave me the strength to manage through the trials of my life. Now she is gone. Now I must cope. Of course now, I turn to the brightest shining star of my life, my wife Virginia, who always supports me. She picks me up from the lowest depths of my most inner self. If it were not for my wife Virginia, I do not know how I could ever cope with this loss. Of course, I have the support of my relatives and friends. 


This poem is for you mom. You have been the most important person in my life, and I hate to let you go. 

WithOut YOU



Mom, without you, there would be no me.
 Your love, your attention, your guidance,
have made me who I am.
Without you, I would be lost,
wandering aimlessly,
without direction or purpose.
You showed me the way
to serve, to accomplish, to persevere.
Without you, there would be an empty space
I could never fill, no matter how I tried.
Instead, because of you,
I have joy, contentment, satisfaction and peace.
Thank you, mom.
I have always loved you
and I always will.










By Joanna Fuchs

Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Wonderful Experience of Having a Child

Raising a child is one of the most rewarding experiences that two people as new parents can witness in their lifetimes. Imagine someday that your little infant will speak, and when the baby does speak, what will be their first words? How long will it be before they walk? There are many questions and lots of unknowns when raising an infant, but those questions will surely be answered as your loved one grows. 
My wife Virginia and I have discussed as recently as tonight the thought of having a child. I whole-heartedly believe that this is what we both really want. I pray that God bless us with a healthy child whether it be a girl or a boy. Below is a poem written by Sherry C, a very wonderful poem that graces the thoughts of an experience when having a child. 


Love Is . . . . .

The softness of a baby's skin
The smile of their innocent eyes
The warmth that I feel
When my touch hushes their cries

Love is . . . . .

Watching them learn how to walk
Exploring the world through their vision
Bouncing along from room to room
Picking them up from each collision

Love Is . . . . .

Holding their hands, playing patty-cake
Enjoying their infectious mirth
The feeling of arms around my neck
Showing me what I am worth

Love Is . . . . .


The glee of first words spoken
Though only parent can understand
Cuteness of those baby teeth
Till they bite you on the hand

Love Is . . . . .

Many a splendid thing they say
And we all know this to be true
But it's hard to beat those "baby years"
When their only world is you.


Sherry C
07/18/2010

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