Steps

Every step I take, puts me
One step farther from where I was,
And one step closer,
To where I am going.

I won't look back with regret,
But, I will look forward,
With the promise,
And the belief,
That I will attain my purpose.

I will walk with
Faith, hope and
The knowledge,
That I never walk alone.

Dedicated to my dear friends, Helen & Andy Schmid. Both, are retired school teachers, both who have and are battling cancer. Helen's year of retirement found her with a battle against breast cancer which she has won. This November, found Andy with bladder cancer, he is in the starting stage of his battle and has undergone two surgeries thus far, with more surgeries and treatments to follow. They have both been retired for less than, I believe, three years. They are both amazing people and I feel blessed to call them my friends. I was humbled by Andy's posting of this poem in his journal that he is keeping through a site called Caring Bridge, we are able to receive updates as he goes through this journey.

Following are his words.

"A very special poem from a very special friend. Thanks Gladys, you're one of a kind!"

Gladys is my nickname picked up from one of their famous Christmas parties. Please say a prayer for them both as they go through this courageously and with the support of many family and friends, as I stated, " That I never walk alone."

My Mom, Rose

My mother once lived,

So full of life,

Till cancer crept in,

And brought us all strife.

Her laughter, her manner,

Such style and grace,

It filled up a room,

That smile on her face.

Her song, she sang,

From her heart, you know,

She sang to her Lord,

To Him, she would go.

Her body grew weak,

Her eyes would show,

The burden she bore,

As the illness would grow.

She lost her battle,

On a crisp, November day,

Her time had come,

The cancer had its way.

My mother, now gone,

So kind and dear,

Her memory brings a smile,

Along with a tear.

In loving memory of my mother,

Rose Ann LaPeer

9-6-1939 - 11-20-2003

Me

Once a child full of glee,
Running around fancy free.
No concerns, worries, or woes,
Just wondering, where next to go.

Teen years then, next became,
Multitudes of endless games.
Boys, dances, driving a car,
Wanting to get away, yes, very far.

Then he came, the man of her life.
He married her, made her, his wife.
Daughters were born, there were four,
They couldn't ask for anything more.

Their lives went on, at a busy pace,
They'd pray to God, He was their grace.
Their daughters grew, and moved away,
I remember them as bitter sweet days.

Grandchildren came, they were blessed,
With overwhelming happiness.
Time passed by, and they grew old,
But they left, their story told.


Of love, and faith, commitment true,
They got thru it all, they were like glue.
They told their secret, family is best,
It was all they wanted, no more, no less.


Dedicated to my wonderful husband, Donald.
My friend, companion, love of my life.

Seed

Hungry Thirsty

Raining Shining Fertilizing

Roots Stem Leaves Petals

Growing Budding Blossoming

Colorful Fragrant

Flower.

Life

Blessed Joyful

Playing Enjoying Gratifying

Breath Existence Short Decrease

Failing Withering Expiring

Painful Sadness

Death.

THE ROCK

As the rock stood firm and unmoving,
The rose graced herself upon the rock.
There, in the silence, beauty appeared.
If only for a moment.
For surely time would wither her petals,
And the wind would whisper her name.
Then in the stillness, would only
The rock remain.

Daybreak

The dawn arose, with a quiet subtleness.
There was serene calmness,
A silence to behold.
For not a sound could be heard,
This in itself was deafening.

The beauty stood before me.
The misty morning air billowed playfully with fog.
The trees stood majestically;
Greeting the morning sun,
That promised its light to the day.

I stood in this glory, so appeasing to eye,
Knowing that soon this sight would pass,
I’d be left with a memory of profoundness.
For it would soon give way to another
I could only hope I’d be there to see.

The Dance

The season has brought
A sight to see,
Partners to dance,
Look there, to the trees.

The chill has come,
It lulls its soft tune.
They know it is time,
From the full harvest moon.

They change up their garb,
For this is their show.
In a few more months,
They'll be still, with white snow.

The crimson, the orange, the golden,
Once green,
Such a colorful sight,
A glory to be seen.

The wind with its song,
Ever so light,
All wait for their turn,
To go into flight.

They twirl and turn,
With such smooth grace,
I stand open armed,
As they swirl in space.

It's such a short time,
Not all eyes will see,
This Autumn Dance,
For you and for me.

KET 11-2-2009