A House Full of Boys..

Today I’m celebrating

One of life’s special joys:

Saturday afternoon…

And a house full of boys!

College football on TV

Little one throwing the ball

“World of Warcraft” too…

I’m enjoying it all!

Kettle corn on the floor

And ground in the rug

A boy walks by me

And gives Grandma a hug.

Fingerprints on the table,

Red and sticky, mark the spot,

Where the little one sat,

His quesadilla was too hot.

Pillows from the sofa,

Scattered around on the floor,

Long-legged boys watching football

Come in slamming the door.

Two go outside

To throw the ball

Two still inside,

And I’m watching it all.

The house, so empty

On so many days,

Seems suited to boys

In so many ways.

Plenty of space

To spread out and play

Plenty of things

To move out of the way.

Good boys they all are

Even though strong-willed,

Keep them busy and happy

Give ‘em Legos to build.

And when it’s all over

And they must go…

I hope they remember

Grandma loves them so!

Constant Sorrow...

Forgive me, I’m not

A woman of constant sorrow.

I count my blessings

Each new tomorrow.

It’s not that I haven’t

Felt tremendous pain,

It’s just that thinking of it

Gives me nothing to gain.

I know our world

Is full of great trouble

And I’m not ignoring it

Or living in a bubble.

I have my thoughts

And I have my fears

I’ve cried my fair share

Of heart-wrenching tears.

But I always get up

And seek out the sun

The rainclouds have left,

And a new day’s begun.

There is no joy

In remembering my woes,

Or sharing my suffering

Or counting my foes.

There is joy is to be had

In each new dawning day

And Faith, Hope and Trust

Guide me on my way.

Pets...

Furry bodies,

Precious faces.

I always found them

In the strangest places.

Shivering in fright,

With looks so pleading..

A warm place to live

Was all they were needing.

No money to pay,

For their room and board,

Unconditional love

Is its own reward.

Funny and curious,

Adventurous and bright,

Why do they always

Want to play at night?

Always content to be

Curled up in my lap,

Safe and sound

And taking a nap.

“Who wants a cookie?

Wag your tail if you do.”

To others, I’m a nurse,

But I’m “mom” to you!

Heroes

The alarm was sounded. Without hesitation, they went into action

Habits, ingrained through real life trauma and practice drills, took over

Thoughts were of the needs of others, always

Code 3 to the scene: lights and sirens onward to meet the tragedy

Horrified by the sights that greeted them, but not missing a step

Pulling turnouts up, grabbing equipment, heading without hesitation

To greet the grim scene, head on, fearlessly

Passing fleeing civilians: coughing, dazed, bleeding, crying

Up the down staircase, rushing past those who were seeking safety

Into the darkness and uncertainty, pushing forward, searching

Calling out to victims, survivors, the frightened, cowering humanity

Awakened forever from any sense of complacency

Black smoke, burning jet fuel, screams, crashing walls and cinders

Nothing stopped their upward trek, seeking those who needed their help

Reaching, touching horrified humanity, screaming in fright and pain

“I’m here, I’ll help you!” A joyous sound in the midst of a nightmare

Flashlights illuminating unbelievable destruction and painful death

Heroes, searching desperately for survivors in the midst of the rubble.

Thunderous sounds of crashing architecture, dropping like thrown powder

On top of itself, dropping, dropping, dropping until it reached

Ground Zero.

Happy Birthday....

Happy Birthday....

September is here again, with the bittersweet memories attached. My mother was born in September, and died in September, two weeks after her 65th birthday....

She was a one-of-a-kind, my mother. I have never met anyone quite like her. She was intelligent, beautiful, and creative, and yet, lost and sad at the same time. She loved photograpy and took most of the pictures of me that are on my profile page.

She came from a tragic family, and that tragedy shaped her choices for the rest of her life. She wanted to be surrounded by beauty,and so she planted roses and other flowers. She shunned the darkness and tried to live in the sunlight. She loved musicals, she loved to read, and she loved to travel.

I think about her often and I talk to her, too. I wear her engagement ring on a chain around my neck. It is amazing how many people have asked me about that ring, and what it means. And maybe this poem, that I wrote this morning in a fit of tears, will explain..

I wish I had the notes you once wrote,

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I could remember how you smelled,

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I could touch that soft dress you wore,

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I’d said “I love you” more…

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I had listened more closely,

When you talked about your hopes and dreams,

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I had a recording of your voice,

With the soft, lilting way you said your words,

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I could brush your hair again,

And place it in a cascading pile

On top of your perfectly-shaped head

But you’ll be around forever.

I wish I had said the things I wanted to say,

And told you what you needed to hear.

I wish I had gotten in your face,

And defied you, just for once

So you would know that I am strong

And that my heart cannot be swayed

And that my courage will prevail…

But I was wrong and didn’t know it then…

You could not be around forever!

Happy Birthday, Momby!