Oh Yes..........

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about  70 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups,  except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate. I wasn't  sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple  pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.. But  when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine. I couldn't take my eyes  off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down.. The other guys couldn't believe it.  They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white  meat tuna. He ordered a parfait. I smiled. He asked if he amused me. I answered,  "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?

He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is possible. I try to eat the food I  need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing  out on something    good. This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I  haven't been this old before.."

"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I  haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown  overhead.

There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the  jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes. I want  to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a  country church once more    and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed  long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the  movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I  want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die  before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I  filled my heart's    desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life  expired.."

Chocolate Ice Cream With that, I called the waitress over. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I  want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this twice,  then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be  happy.

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS including me if I'm lucky enough to be counted  among them.

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but  on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money  talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!

Heart Flowers

Deep within the sanctuary
Of our soul there is a glade,
Where the grass is always green
The flowers never fade.
Nowhere is a garden sweeter,
Than the one love’s own hands tend,
There affection falls like sunlight,
Warming and awakening.
Everlasting are the blooms
That nourish the heart,
Little lights, little shadows,
Who can tell the two apart?
He who plants the smallest kindness,
Sows indeed a mighty seed,
For through years, like little acres
Only love uproots the weeds!

The Heart

Deep within the sanctuary
Of our soul there is a glade,
Where the grass is always green
The flowers never fade.
Nowhere is a garden sweeter,
Than the one love’s own hands tend,
There affection falls like sunlight,
Warming and awakening.
Everlasting are the blooms
That nourish the heart,
Little lights, little shadows,
Who can tell the two apart?
He who plants the smallest kindness,
Sows indeed a mighty seed,
For through years, like little acres
Only love uproots the weeds!

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a Soldier
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away.'
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

They say it takes a minute to find a special
person, an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them, but then an entire
life to forget them.

God Bless

There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country Free.

Flowers of the Heart

Deep within the sanctuary

Of our soul there is a glade,

Where the grass is always green

The flowers never fade.

Nowhere is a garden sweeter,

Than the one love’s own hands tend,

There affection falls like sunlight,

Warming and awakening.

Everlasting are the blooms

That nourish the heart,

Little lights, little shadows,

Who can tell the two apart?

He who plants the smallest kindness,

Sows indeed a mighty seed,

For through years, like little acres

Only love uproots the weeds!

Flowers of the Heart

Deep within the sanctuary

Of our soul there is a glade,

Where the grass is always green

The flowers never fade.

Nowhere is a garden sweeter,

Than the one love’s own hands tend,

There affection falls like sunlight,

Warming and awakening.

Everlasting are the blooms

That nourish the heart,

Little lights, little shadows,

Who can tell the two apart?

He who plants the smallest kindness,

Sows indeed a mighty seed,

For through years, like little acres

Only love uproots the weeds!

A Poem To Bobby Joe

What Would I Do ?

If there were a time to come........
When you weren't there with me,
I'd want the time to start anew...
A life in eternity.....me and you.
Without you close to me,
The days would be so lonely.....
I'd have no purpose once again.
No reason to enjoy living,
Without you by my side,
My heart would run again to hide.
I'd not be full of love,
To give to this special man, with me.
For you would take my heart with you.
Lifeless, then I would be,
Stripped of all thats........ life to me.
Once again to wander, helplessly........
Looking for a special love like thee.......
To fill the space you'd leave in me.
Without you what would I be?
NOTHING......and very lonely....you'd see
So, Bobby let me be,
a special love to you....each day
As from the start, always brand new.
Never to ever be, lonely without......Me.
I Love you...........
Always,
Nita Kaye Stephens