AMERICA, THE VISION

Carl Sandburg once wrote, "I see America, not in the setting of the sun of a black night of despair ahead of us. I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun, fresh from the burning, creative hand of God. I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision."

I, too, see America in "the crimson light of a rising sun." I see America as a land where precious freedoms are preserved through the united efforts of honest men and women. I see America ripe with opportunities where those with great expectations and enterprise may take flight; where those willing to work hard and to be inventive may achieve their vision; where dreamers and visionaries lively with imagination may reap the reward of abundant success. I see a land where individual rights are protected and where individual voices may be heard. I see a land rich in optimism and a land enveloped with hope.

Sadly, I also see America filled with elements of despair. I sometimes see America as a land where those in high places with their swanky suits and high-priced ideas, corrupt and self-serving, a cancer to society, flourish at the expense of the common man. I sometimes see America where greed is common and honesty is rare. I sometimes see America where the eyes of indifference turn away from poverty, neglect, and abuse. America is an interesting contrast of "blight or bright;" and where you live, in your neighborhood, or in your mind, dictates the America that you see.

And yet, and yet...

I know it is a land which can be filled with exceptional goodness. It is a land which can be filled with high morals and values. It is a land where freedoms reign supreme and where patriotism runs deep.

As a school girl, I had the unique privilege of having those precious feelings of patriotism embedded deep within my heart. At the old Sandy Elementary School, a patriotic devotional was held faithfully each morning. I loved the devotional and held it with the greatest of respect. Each day, it began with a magnificent rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword; His truth is marching on...."

And then the teacher would say, "Class, please stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance." Standing at attention with hands over heart, the Pledge would be recited. Eloquent, meaningful words of Abraham Lincoln then followed; and finally a prayer was given. It was simple, yet powerful, and most memorable.

Thoughts of patriotism and thankfulness course through my mind at the very sight of the American flag. The opening cords of the National Anthem will cause emotional feelings to well up within my bosom. How blessed we are as a nation to have the right to stand tall with the conviction to do good and to have the ability to make a difference. How blessed we are to have the right to choose good over evil. How blessed we are to have a nation founded by our forefathers whose ideals, purposes, and design aligned with Deity. Yes, I embrace the thoughts of Carl Sandburg that we are, indeed, a blessed nation where we may "see America in the crimson light of a rising, sun, fresh from the burning, creative hand of God."

MY CHILD

...the creation of the stars in the
Milky Way
pales in comparison
to the creation of you,
my child...

SONJA--ANGEL EYES

My first child, Sonja:

"...her hair flying this a way and that a way in the wind..."

ANGEL EYES

Sometimes when I gaze at those angel eyes
I think I am looking at Eve,
or is it Mary, or Heavenly Mother
that I think my mind conceives?

No, its none of these that my mind preceives
but someone who is fair and wise.
Sonja, my child, it is you that I see
when I gaze at those angel eyes.

Sometimes a small glimpse of what you will be
comes forth in an admirable way;
When you tell me you love me or say that you're sorry
or help me with work through the day.

And, sometimes I see the woman you'll be
by the way that you comb your hair
or when you whisper sweet secrets to me
or by the things that you share.

Sometimes I wonder, "How can this be so.
Did you really choose me for your mother?"
But when I see those eyes look at me
I know that we each chose no other.

ALEZA--FAMILY SECRETS

My second child, Aleza:

"...how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?..."

FAMILY SECRETS

A certain little girl of mine
keeps me breathless most the time.

Telling stores short and tall
Family Secrets--one and all.

"Why, Uncle Brent should be in jail.
He stole a kiss and winked as well."

"Aunt Loraine's a kangaroo.
She's got a baby coming due."

"Grandma, dear, 's a silly goose.
She drinks some stuff to make her loose!"

"Aunt Cheryl's beard's in a funny place.
Not on her chin, but above her face."

"Mommy's a pirate with treasures of old.
Her teeth are filled with silver and gold."

But Gramp's the smartest of the lot.
He reads the paper while on the pot."

Yes, Family Secrets are fun to tell
and Aleza sure can tell them well!

SPENCER PONDERS THE THEORY OF GRAVITY

My third child, Spencer:

...I'm gonna shoot for the moon but I'm sure I'll hit the stars...

SPENCER PONDERS THE THEORY OF GRAVITY

His eager mind thought and thought
as he laid in bed one night.
He could not hold his young mind back
as his many thoughts took flight.

"I wonder what is going on--
up in the sky," said he.
"And just exactly what is this force
known as gravity?"

So he gathered all his science books
and he studied night and day.
His mind absorbed many wonders
and his study became his play.

Is it up or down? I've just got to know.
And he pulled plans from his pocket.
"I'll get me a can of super fuel
and I'll fly me an awesome rocket."

Never mind that the fields are very dry
And that fires can be dreary.
'Cause, this gravity's got me puzzled
and I've got to test my theory."

So up he shot that high tech "rock"
And it came down in a flury.
"Why gravity must be down, not up,
'Cause it landed in a hurry!"

AUTUMN--BEAUTY INTERTWINED

My fourth child, Autumn:

...her reason--motherhood
...her season---motherhood
...for pleasin'--God

BEAUTY INTERTWINED

Beauty that's outer
dazzles the eye.
It shimmers, it sparkles,
it shines.

Beauty that's inner
catches the heart.
It's gentle, it's warm,
it's kind.

But the beauty that's fair
and considered most rare
is the beauty that's intertwined.

TRENT--BUILDING A SHOE RACK

Trent, my fifth child:

...he gathers nuts 'n bolts 'n bits of string...

BUILDING A SHOE RACK

I think I'll build a shoe rack;
it's a very useful thing.
I'll search the many junk drawers;
just to find a bit of string.

I need a hanger for the frame--
nothin' else will do.
I'll use a stretch of masking tape,
and a tiny dab of glue.

Now this contraption may seem odd
and look a little strange.
'Cause I took the light bulb
from the hood above the kitchen range.

I'll take a needle and some thread;
and sew it all together.
And paint it colors of every hue;
it simply can't get better.

Now there's a pocket for every shoe--
it's really very handy.
'Cause I can fit my socks in too,
and a bit of hard tack candy!

TRAVIS--THE DREAM

My sixth child, Travis:

...electricity flows through his veins. Plug him in and watch him light up!...

THE DREAM

Now here's a boy whose got a dream;
it can hardly be contained.
His ideas are twirling in his head;
and he's always feelin' drained.

'Cause he stays up half the night--
workin' on some new scheme;
to build a little movie house;
to satisfy his dream.

So he bought a pile of timber,
some plastic, and a sheet.
And he stretched and nailed each corner
'til the big screen was complete.

He bought quite a projector,
that shines upon the wall.
The picture is gigantic,
and 'luminates the hall.

His first projector was really great,--
until it blew a fuse.
A small explosion shook the room,
and Dad was not amused.

The celluloid melted fast away,
the fire was soon contained.
But he didn't give up--no not he;
the story has been famed.

His mind's been twirling ever since;
his ideas are really hot.
He did some hefty figurin';
and he's a workin' out his plot.

He wants the biggest movie screen,
the world has ever found.
He'll stretch that screen wall to wall;
and blast that blessed sound!

LETTER TO A FRIEND

It seems almost like yesterday when we first moved into this neighborhood that I noticed your darling home decorated according to season. First it is snowmen and valentines,and then spring blossoms. From there it goes to bird houses and sunflowers, and then autumn leaves, and finally holly n' berries. Then it begins all over again—just like clock work!

Each time I round the corner, my eye catches a glimpse of something new and delightful. It is a pleasure for me to watch the seasons unfold on your front doorstep. I admire your ability to decorate and to pull beautiful displays together. It is such a beautiful talent that you have been given.

Soon, I began hearing about a beautiful back yard—a secret garden —as such, filled with magnificent perennials. And, my, what a breathtaking sight when I first entered your splendid yard. It reminds me of what I envision the Garden of Eden to be like.

I so much enjoy listening to you talk about your flowers. You can name every one of them and know exactly what season they will bloom. I learned that you lovingly planted them in the perfect spot so that they will grow and flourish and mature to full bloom. I admire and love great gardeners. People who live close to the earth, like you, understand things about this world that the rest do not.

I next discovered your delightful character. Full of fun and mischief. Always, always with the fresh idea. Always wanting to make "things" fun and memorable.
To the point, and always truthful. I admire all of those qualities. You are a wonderful example to me in so many ways.

You have left your beautiful mark on friends in the neighborhood. They speak of you often and express their love for you. I add my love to theirs and thank you for your precious friendship. You are a beautiful Daughter of God. It is a joy knowing you.

GRANITE BOULDER AND TENDER SHOOT

Mother Nature often teaches us powerful lessons about life. I learned one lesson about the importance of "letting the light in" through a boulder and a tree.

It is not unusual for a tree to grow next to a boulder, but it unusual for a tree to grow in the center of a boulder. Such was the case of a large granite boulder near some farm land. Amazingly, the granite boulder was split in half with a large tree growing out of the center. Imagine a tiny seed germinating deep beneath the earth under the boulder. First a ray of light, next a trickle of rain, and then somehow the impossible happened, a tender shoot sprouted and grew up into the porous rock. It eventually cracked the boulder in half and grew into a beautiful tree. Now that was rich soil.

It seemed impossible for the seed to take root, grow, and then flourish as a beautiful shade tree, but it did! What may seem like an insurmountable goal can actually eventuate. When the ray of light shines through, and moisture comes, the seed will germinate and grow. If it is a good seed, it will grow when nourished whether it is spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, socially, or financially.

A few years ago a problem was posed to a group of engineers to which they were to find a solution. They were challenged to design an asphalt type substance which could not be penetrated by the sun, rain, sleet, or snow. Finally, a near perfect product was produced and was laid. Months passed and the product seemed to be the answer to all their problems until someone noticed a single blade of grass growing up through this asphalt. How did the light get in? It seems that a hairline fissure barely visible to the naked eye cracked open. A single blade of grass felt the warmth from a small shaft of sunlight and grew and grew. Remarkable!

Within each of us is that great and noble desire to let ''the light get in.'' I personally believe that it comes from the fact that we were all born with the Light of Christ and that there is a yearning to keep that light alive deep within our souls. Joyful living comes to us when the ''light gets in.''
(Excerpt from "Finding Fulfillment" by Lorae Stirling)

ANTS ON A LOG

Ants on a log--
all in a row.
Tell a tale of wonders
of all the things they know.
Tell us your tale
of the wonders that you know,
as we all sit together
like ants in a row.

THE OVERWHELMING, IMPOSSIBLE TASK

It is important to set goals and then strive to achieve them. A great measure of joy came to my life when a monumental goal was completed a few years ago. The amazing thing about this goal is that it started some forty-five years ago when I was a teenager. I am sure it was through my father's example of collecting poetry, quotes, and stories that I started my own collection. You can imagine, after so much time had passed, the vast amount of written materials I had gathered.

One day, I opened the filing cabinet and made the decision to either get rid of the collection or actually put it in some type of order. It was on every kind of paper imaginable from old envelopes, bits and scraps of paper, to faded mimeographed sheets. In its present form, it was a just a heap of paper, unmanageable, and certainly not very useful. I knew I had to do something with it; and thankfully, I could see the possibilities of a wonderful book. So plans were made to get started on what looked like an overwhelming, impossible task.

The objective was to work on the project a few hours each evening and on weekends during the long winter months. At first, it seemed like a boring, endless job—all the sorting, tossing, typing, proofreading, and printing that needed to be done—but I kept in mind that I did not have to complete the project all at once; I just needed to finish one page at a time.

As I completed the final pages, I had feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment in my heart for I had accomplished a monumental task; and to top that off, my goal was realized. My time and effort had been well spent and the end product was worth the many months of hard work devoted to its completion. I add fresh material to the book yearly and find pleasure in thumbing through the pages on a quiet afternoon while relishing in the fact that what was a forty-five year collection, a “useless heap of paper,” is now a beautiful book and a completed goal.

THE 'JUST IN CASE' POTS

Jim, every time I travel down this road, I notice that you keep lots of empty pots on your front porch.

Well, there’s a reason for that. These are my “just in case” pots.

“Just in case” pots?

Yes, every time something happens that I don’t want to forget, I put a pot on the front porch. Then I can go out each night while I’m by myself, sit in my rocker, and think about all the things I don’t want to forget. Yes, it helps me remember things “just in case” they happen again.

“Just in case” what happens again?

Well, “just in case” things happen that I don’t like. So, if it ever happens again, I can remember that it happened before. See how it works? Then I don’t have to charge up my memory and trigger thoughts that might otherwise have been forgotten. That way I can be quick to be all fired up, fuss and stew, and put up my guard for the next time when it happens. See how the pots jar my memory and save me time?

Well sort of. But what kind of things do you want to remember “just in case” they happen again?

Well, see that fellow over there. Why, when he was about ten years old, he and some other kids in the neighborhood were out back playing ball. I’d been yelling at them all morning to quit throwing that ball when all of a sudden it went right through my kitchen window and nearly hit me. The boys flew in every direction and I didn’t see one of them until later that evening when he came back to apologize and pay for the broken window. Lickity-split, I put a pot right there on my front porch so that I would always remember what kind of a kid he is. I figure he will never amount to anything. Besides that, I don’t like the new window. It lets in too much sunshine.

So, when you were a kid, did you ever throw a ball and have it break a window?

Well, yes of course, but that’s different because when I did it, it was an accident.

Well, did you ever apologize and pay for the broken window?

No, not really. I was scared, and besides I didn’t have a penny to my name.

Oh, I see.

Then one day, I was at the feed store when that same kid showed up. He asked if he could help me carry my bags to the truck when all of a sudden he tripped and fell and everything scattered all over the ground and a couple of things broke—you know, that kid can’t do anything right. So, I got real fired up and went home and immediately put another pot on my front porch.

Well, did you ever try to help someone and it sort of back fired?

Sure. But it was their fault and not mine!

Uh, huh.

You won’t believe what happened next. A couple of years later that same kid was at the gas station pumping gas when all of a sudden smoke started coming out of the hood of my car and he started running toward me and shouted right there in front of everyone, “Hey, Mister, you’re a liar.” I have never been more embarrassed in all of my life. Later he tried to cover up by saying that he really said, “Hey, Mister, you’re on fire!” This boy is all trouble. After he put out the fire, I went right home and put out another pot.

Have you ever say anything that was misunderstood?

Well, sure. But that’s different. I didn’t mean it.

Oh, yes, I’m getting the picture now.

Next time I went down the road and passed Jim’s home, I noticed that all the pots were gone and there sitting beside the old man rocking and talking was that same young man who Jim said would never amount to anything. I yelled over, "Jim, where are the pots?"

“Well,” Jim said, “You got me to thinking. I decided I really did need help carrying my things out to the truck, and I sure appreciated it when he put out the fire. But most of all, I like the new window because it lets the sunshine in.”

THE HANKY

Some linen cloth of perfect white.
A hem of lace or tatting tight.
A hanky--what a lovely thing.
Oh, the memories that it can bring
of a birth, or a baptism, or a wedding day,
or for a special "Thanks" when its hard to say.
So tuck it among your treasures untold
for the day when you need "Something Old"....
(1981)

THE THINGS I DID THAT TWERN'T SO NICE

I detest this voice that follows me
each day as on my travels be.
It whispers:
Time will come when you'll regret
those little things you did, and yet....

How innocent it seemed to me
when I merely ate the grape to see
if it twer' ripe or sour be.

There ain't no use in losing sleep,
after all, it were just a tiny heap
of trash we left behind that day
as we quickly, quietly sped away.

It's no big deal to run a light
if there ain't no sneaky cop in sight.
They say a crime just ain't a fact
unless you're caught right in the act.

The neighbors, they'll not ever no
twas' me, the one who took the hoe.
I needed it, twas' plain to me,
the weeds that grew made it hard to see.

Yet, this voice that follows me
will simply not let this matter be.
It says a day will come in time
when I'll regret this trait of mine.
Cause I'll be the one to pay the price
for the things I did that twern't so nice.

(Written for lesson on honesty.)