Month: May 2018

The Vow

Jeanne 1 Comment

So, I’m thinking ahead here. In 4 days we will be cruising to Alaska! One thing we have planned on-board is a vow renewal ceremony, and I wrote this poem to be read at that time.

It is truly a blessing to have a buddy, companion, spouse and friend to share life with. We should all appreciate the precious moments shared, and take care of each other with kindness and patience. A little bit of laughter along the way helps too.

There’s nothing like a buddy
Walking always by your side,
Who laughs with you, and cries with you,
Who you let in your heart–inside.

As years fly by
and age sets in,
More beautiful they be.
They’re bound to us, a part of us,
It’s wondrous, you see.

And now, today we stop to celebrate,
And remember all the things
That have made it all so great.
Again we pledge, again we vow, again we give our heart.
And then we turn to face new days,
Fueled by love, again, we start.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/topics/marriage-and-family?lang=eng

Sunshine and Shadows

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At the end of every rainbow, there’s a pot of gold.
And clouds are lined with silver, so I’m told.
But don’t you think a rainbow and a cloud are pretty too?
Must you always look ahead for gold to come to you?
Sometimes we need a friend so say, “There’s beauty in a storm,
Although the winds blow chilly cold, we can be safe and warm.”
And suddenly the sun breaks through–a bright and shiny ray.
Sometimes I need a friend like you to help me through the day.

It’s odd that I would write this poem, because I’ve always been one who suffers through trials. I’m the one who rolls their eyes if someone suggests to look for lessons or growth in hardship, and I have a really hard time thanking God for everything, including troubles. The poem reminds me of my Dad when I was a child. I was absolutely terrified of lighting and could not understand how he could sit out on the front porch and watch a lightning storm and enjoy it! Sometimes he would see my terror and pull me onto his lap and try to comfort me, which it did, until the next storm.

But I do believe that it is true about how we grow the best when we are challenged; when things are tough. And I have noticed that heartfelt prayer is a great tool.

The following it a short video from the MormonChannel.org. It deals with trials and adversity and comfort through prayer.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-002-comfort-in-trials?lang=eng

John 14:27: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A.A.A.

Jeanne 1 Comment

This poem, written by Bob, is a cute reminder of how precious our children are, and also about how fast they grow up. One day they are crawling, and the next day, they have a family of their own! Our roles as parents are ever-changing. We spend so much time when they are babies and toddlers that I sometimes wonder if we have enough energy or brain cells left to adapt ourselves to our new role as a parent of teenagers, or young adults. The roles seem especially challenging when they leave us and have a family of their own. Where do we fit in? How do we advise and help? How do we handle our frustration and disappointment about not doing a better job?

Being a parent is absolutely a timeless blessing, and sometimes we need to be open enough to take advise, counsel, and inspiration.

Energy unending,
Hurts that need mending,
To him, life’s a constant sea
Of endless curiosity.
Exploring places, pots and pans,
Cats and puppies, garbage cans.
I stand in awe at how he learns,
Each bump and jar it’s value earns.
He lays, then crawls, then walks, then runs,
My boy! My son! My brother! My friend!
Eternal brothers never end.

The following link (to lds.org) is an illustration of a mother’s love, and how prayer will help us through our darkest moments of despair.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-05-009-a-mothers-hope?lang=eng&_r=1&cid=HP_TU-8-5-2018_dPTH_fMLIB_xLIDyM-2_