Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
You know I just looked around and he's gone
Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he'd gone
Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone
Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, it's gonne be one day
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin, and John
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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In Remembrance...
My Uncle Ray and my mother...This was my mother's brother...whom she thought the world of. Her brother and her best friend.In Remembrance......
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James (Jim) Army. My Father-In-Law. Served in the Army actively in World War II. Honorable Discharged with metals.
He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother...
The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Stong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he, to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He could not encumber me
he ain't heavy, he's my brother
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
Wilen we're on our way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weight me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Stong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he, to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He could not encumber me
he ain't heavy, he's my brother
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
Wilen we're on our way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weight me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
Memorial Day 2007.........
Memorial Day…..
For most of us, Memorial Day weekend means three days off from work…It means the beginning of summer and vacations…It means parades, cookouts and or opening up a summer home. Memory Day is a tribute, a recognition, a remembrance to those who served this country and have died. I am not sure what takes place as one gets older in this life, but the meanings of things seem to become more important and yes, more emotionally heartfelt. One sees things differently as the years go on, and everything in a way is new. It seems to be experienced new. Or seen through one's eyes for the first time, in such a way never seen before. Maybe we become less selfish, or life becomes less busy for such things or even their thoughts. I don’t know. All I know is that there is deeper meaning to things of importance and petty things are thrown out. And, I gave my thoughts on this Memorial Day, to such men and woman so deserving of remembrance.
I thought of my father this Memorial Day. My Father enlisted into the Navy on March 12, 1931 for three years. He was in the Headquarters Company of the 26th Division. He was Honorable Discharged by expiration term of service on the 11th day of March 1934. It appears that he reenlisted on March 2, 1936 for another 3 years, in which he was honorably discharged on May 22, 1939. He went into active duty on 9/10/41 to Sept. 43 for foreign and/or sea service world war II. He served in the Navy and the Seabees. He was married at the time and living in Everett Mass. Working at the G.E. Co. in Everett. He received the World War II Victory Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the American Theater medal. He was a sheet metal worker. He was described when enrolled as: 23 years of age and by occupation as a truck driver. His record was of "excellence".
I did not visit his grave, nor place flowers or a flag. His grave is in a cemetery about 2 hours from here, in the next state. My mother is also buried there now, with our father and we have yet to visit there. When we do go, I will go with my brother and sister. But this Memorial Day, he was with me in thought, I do believe more than in the past.
This year, this Memorial Day, I also thought more about our service men at war in Iraq and families of those. Seems due to the chaos in Iraq, our men still fighting in Afghanistan are not mentioned as they should be. There was much on television about this holiday, our service men and their families, but I’ve been unable to watch.
As I have dedicated a garden to my mother, there is also another tribute if that is what it may be called, to my father-in-law, who passed away 4 years ago. He served in the army in active duty of WW II. My husband has since collected WW II paraphernalia and has received his father’s medals of active duty. And, as all things with a sense of importance seems to become greater as life moves on, so has this importance grown for my husband. And as my own “Mother’s Garden” is for me, is this call to be near veterans and gain greater knowledge is for my husband. It heals us now, for we are adult children without parents, as most children will experience in their life time. So, we do what we can from our hearts and minds, to keep memories alive and our souls forever healing. There, in our front yard is a pine tree, planted and grown for my father-in-law, James, and this tribute by my husband for his father, grows strong and tall.
Yesterday, Memorial Day, my husband placed a flag and his father’s metal for foreign war, before this tree. For, it is Memorial Day.
For most of us, Memorial Day weekend means three days off from work…It means the beginning of summer and vacations…It means parades, cookouts and or opening up a summer home. Memory Day is a tribute, a recognition, a remembrance to those who served this country and have died. I am not sure what takes place as one gets older in this life, but the meanings of things seem to become more important and yes, more emotionally heartfelt. One sees things differently as the years go on, and everything in a way is new. It seems to be experienced new. Or seen through one's eyes for the first time, in such a way never seen before. Maybe we become less selfish, or life becomes less busy for such things or even their thoughts. I don’t know. All I know is that there is deeper meaning to things of importance and petty things are thrown out. And, I gave my thoughts on this Memorial Day, to such men and woman so deserving of remembrance.
I thought of my father this Memorial Day. My Father enlisted into the Navy on March 12, 1931 for three years. He was in the Headquarters Company of the 26th Division. He was Honorable Discharged by expiration term of service on the 11th day of March 1934. It appears that he reenlisted on March 2, 1936 for another 3 years, in which he was honorably discharged on May 22, 1939. He went into active duty on 9/10/41 to Sept. 43 for foreign and/or sea service world war II. He served in the Navy and the Seabees. He was married at the time and living in Everett Mass. Working at the G.E. Co. in Everett. He received the World War II Victory Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the American Theater medal. He was a sheet metal worker. He was described when enrolled as: 23 years of age and by occupation as a truck driver. His record was of "excellence".
I did not visit his grave, nor place flowers or a flag. His grave is in a cemetery about 2 hours from here, in the next state. My mother is also buried there now, with our father and we have yet to visit there. When we do go, I will go with my brother and sister. But this Memorial Day, he was with me in thought, I do believe more than in the past.
This year, this Memorial Day, I also thought more about our service men at war in Iraq and families of those. Seems due to the chaos in Iraq, our men still fighting in Afghanistan are not mentioned as they should be. There was much on television about this holiday, our service men and their families, but I’ve been unable to watch.
As I have dedicated a garden to my mother, there is also another tribute if that is what it may be called, to my father-in-law, who passed away 4 years ago. He served in the army in active duty of WW II. My husband has since collected WW II paraphernalia and has received his father’s medals of active duty. And, as all things with a sense of importance seems to become greater as life moves on, so has this importance grown for my husband. And as my own “Mother’s Garden” is for me, is this call to be near veterans and gain greater knowledge is for my husband. It heals us now, for we are adult children without parents, as most children will experience in their life time. So, we do what we can from our hearts and minds, to keep memories alive and our souls forever healing. There, in our front yard is a pine tree, planted and grown for my father-in-law, James, and this tribute by my husband for his father, grows strong and tall.
Yesterday, Memorial Day, my husband placed a flag and his father’s metal for foreign war, before this tree. For, it is Memorial Day.
"If tears could build a
Stairway and memories
A lane, I'd walk right up
To Heaven and Bring
You Home Again."
Tears In Heaven
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
`Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven.
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day,
`Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven.
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please
Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven...
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
`Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Named Gardens...
This was my first garden three years ago..I call it "My Secret Garden..remember, it is still early spring and this amazing garden will fill with color. I named this My Secret Garden because it is almost down inside a rock wall, almost like a hole in the earth with green all around it. As this fills, I will replace this picture with others when this secret garden is in bloom. There is a stone plaque that sits upon the rocks with the words .."My Secret Garden"
Gardens In Springtime....Named "My Mother's Garden", a garden made in her memory
Spring has finally arrived and its so much fun to watch gardens grow. This above, "My Mother's Garden" entrance, the plants just planted last year when this garden was built, seem to be thriving. And summer has not even arrived officially as yet! It certainly has surrived the winter. I loved walking to it and watching it's growth, almost before one's eyes, taking place. This will be it's first full summer. It has helped me so. It has been such part of the healing process for me. It shows me beauty and life and growth. Its also my place for "Mother's Day", birthdays, anniversaries, and all that I need it to be.......
Lets Look Inside as it is now:
The Butterfly house which was bought and added for Mother's Day, is now ready with a nest I made of flower buds and pansies gone by, small sticks and leafs of lavendar. We will watch the success of this butterfly house through the season!
Lets Look Inside as it is now:
The Butterfly house which was bought and added for Mother's Day, is now ready with a nest I made of flower buds and pansies gone by, small sticks and leafs of lavendar. We will watch the success of this butterfly house through the season!
A Look Inside.....
The Bumble Bee seems to be busy this summer upon velvet soft petals...These flowers, first year of bloom, and a beautiful pinkish white.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Rose........
Some say love, it is a river,
That drowns the tender reed.
I say love, it is a razor,
That leaves your soul to bleed.
~
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you, it's only seed.
~
It's the heart, afraid of breaking,
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking,
That never, takes the chance.
~
It's the one, who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give,
And the soul, afraid of dying,
That never, learns to live.
~
When the night, has been too lonely,
And the road has been too long,
And you think, that love is only,
For the lucky and the strong.
~
Just remember, in the winter,
Far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love,
In the spring, becomes the rose.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mother's Day, We remembered....
Yesterday was Mother's Day. Our second one since you've gone. March 25th has come and gone, the first anniversary of your passing...and this, the second Mother's Day for us to go through after our loss. My sister asked me not too long ago this question, "How do you cope?" I've tried to answer her in words I've written, but I kept finding myself deleting it and starting again. Sometimes, just to describe how one copes, is too difficult to do. Too difficult to express in words. It can seem overwhelming to just think on how one does cope in order to answer that question. Though, I do believe now in just looking back at yesterday, Mother's Day, that I finally have an answer for my sister. How do I cope? By getting through one thing at a time. Not looking back, not looking ahead but just looking at what there is in this day, or in this moment that I need to get through and then I look at how I can and will do that. Sometimes there are no easy answers and then other times, there are many choices. I think what I've learned in this Mother's Day, was that coping has alot to do with attitude also. Of course, on this Mother's Day, it was my Mother whom was on my mind. There were a few moments yesterday that I cried. Mainly when I was driving, and a song would come on and I'd think back. Why would I not cry? It is Mother's Day and I miss my mother. I miss her every day and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. I miss her. But how do I cope with that loss and those feelings, when I feel at times so powerless because there just isn't anything I can do to bring her back. Yesterday, Mother's Day, yes there were times of tears. Tears are coping. But the day was not all tears. Infact, It was a most enjoyable day. The sun was out, the sky blue. There was a nice breeze. A true spring day. I got into my car and drove to the garden store to buy a gift for my Mother's garden in my yard. What I had been looking for, I finally found, and there was only one in the store. A Butterfly House. I also bought bird seed, a bird feeder, a garden plaque and some boxes of pansy. I really enjoyed looking around and finding things that I consider special because they are for my Mother's garden. I then went over my sister's and brought her a gift. Later in the day, I planted the flowers, and arranged some of the items in the garden. My girl's came over, my granddaughters and my sister and we had a cookout. The day was not a day spent in tears, but in enjoyment also. And now, the day has come and gone. Today, I walked down to the garden and looked at the growth which is a little more each day. It was just a good feeling to be there and I did reflect back on yesterday with no regrets. And thats how I cope. Taking each holiday, celebration, a day or a moment for what it can become now. I guess the attitude part of coping is, wanting to make what it becomes now, good. And to my sister, who asked me this question of "how do you cope", my guess is that you too coped this Mother's Day the same way I did, and maybe each and every day.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
A Gift to my daughter....
Happy 30th birthday, Heidi!Last Saturday, we celebrated my daughter's 30th birthday with a surprise party. Her birthday is actually May 5th but for reasons we surprised her with a birthday party at my house. I did something, I had never done before. I actually made something for a gift and I want my daughter to know this......
Dear Heidi,
I wanted to give you something very special for your 30th birthday, so I tried to put as many memories of your life in a book from your birth to now, on this birthday. I am not so sure that you can truely appreciate it as much as I do because my deep appreciation for memories of our lives did not really come about until I was way past 30. Maybe really only in the past year, since Nanny's passing. But, I hoped to at least begin them and their importance that they will become more and more for you also. The wonderful memories of yours, placed in that book, are also mine. We share much really as all of our lives entwine.
I honestly hope, that it may be a beginning for you and for your family. That you build on this book, and just trust and believe in me right now when I say from my heart that some day, it will have greater meaning to you, more than you could possibly know right now, as will it your children. Keep it going and Happy 30th birthday, my very special daughter.
I love you.
Mom
