ON THE OUTSIDE

Always, on the outside,

Always, looking in.

Always, afraid to show herself,

For fear,

They'd see her sin.

Unable, to let herself

Be set free,

Unable, to tell us why.

Caught inside her world,

Her mind,

It wasn't that she's shy.

She didn't think,

They'd understand,

Perhaps, they never will.

Laughter,

Never once was heard,

She always was so still.

We only knew,

She had herself,

Silence,

Her only friend.

On the outside,

Looking in.

No beginning and,

No end.

Full Phase

Magically, he rises,
So big and
Full of light.
Ironically,
Mother Earth is asleep,
Filled with dark of night.

He peeks his large face,
Up over tree tops,
Casting his luminous glow.
It's always such a mystery,
The evenings celestial show.

With wonder I watch
As he continues his flight,
Up, to his evening place,
He does this slowly, meticulously,
Completely, with poise and grace.

I stand there amazed,
As I gaze to the sky,
Taking in all that I see,
I bid him farewell for the night, and
Give thanks for the tranquility.

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.