The Forum - Knights in Shining Armour

Dear Forum Online Newspaper:

You have given me a voice! In 1980, after high school graduation, I immediately left for my new life with the U.S. Air Force. I trained and worked as a dental assistant. At the young age of eighteen, had I known that my life's passion was creative writing, I would have requested working for the base newspaper.

It wasn't until many years later that my novel writing was something at which I felt competent. Taking a break from romance novels and wanting to jot down less demanding endeavors, I chose to create my blog. A few years ago, I was looking for an avenue to share my work. Just like a knight in shining Armour: there you came!

Now, you are giving me an audience. You have also been very kind to allow me to be published in your hard copy. With your mass mailing to the local towns twice a year, many of my family and friends can not only see some of my work, they can see for themselves how useful and productive your newspaper is.

Self-expression is wonderful! Because you so kindly visit my blog, like what you read, and include many of my pieces in your Voices column, you've helped me feel great success and pride. I enjoy talking about my feelings and life in general. I think people should wear their feelings on their sleeves. I enjoy reading other creative writer's works. Whether it's poetry, news items, or New England tidbits, The Forum is very entertaining.

Even though life is busy, I always make time to visit The Forum, because I know I can get up-to-date information on issues concerning not only my town, but neighboring towns, too. During the natural disastrous storms we've had in the past few years, your volunteer crew has done an outstanding job of collecting facts, reporting news, and helping the community. Thanks for all your successful efforts!


Warm regards,
Lisa (Allen) Kennard
Nottingham, NH
www.blogginglisaslife.blogspot.com

Getting Away with a Miracle

Nearby, I keep my wedding photo
of hubby and me
cutting our wedding cake
and smiling like we
just got away with a miracle...
sure
enough,
we
did.

I am still amazed at how we met in church and skipped
bible study one afternoon. We sat in the parking lot of the
Edgerly Chapel. Across the street, the church bell rang
as each hour slipped passed. As each hour passed, Ray and I
grew closer and lost some of those inhibitions that can
worry those who are closing the door on one phase of life,
and trying on another friendship,
as
though
buying
a
new
pair
of
sneakers.

Those precious hours have now passed into
seventeen years of blissful togetherness.
No more secrets, no more living lies,
pretending all is well when it really wasn't.
Pretending all dreams had come true,
when they'd actually crashed and burned
just moments after flight.

A fourteen year age gap is but a hiccup.
A soft touch on the cheek is rewarding.
Holding hands brings simple joy and the time shared
becomes
more
precious
as
life
slips
by.

My husband is my best friend, as many have said before me
and many will say long after. That is a wonderful imitation.

But the fact that it is ME saying it, is one of life's miracles.
I am happy to report that many times these days I sit back
with no worries and my lips curve up in a satisfied smile.

It is true ~~ I'm getting away with a miracle.
Please, miracle, last forever!

It is a long time coming, this pleasant life of mine.
For all those years I wandered in the wilderness,
sad, scared, and scarred,
I'm giddy to report
that my wonderful husband and I
are still happy
after
all
these
years!

In Your Hands

I am torn:
each direction calls my name
and if I chose one or the other, or none,
am I to blame?

I am wondering:
in a world where parents'
pay out-the-nose to see their kids' succeed,
if my past alliances failed to swing open the door to my future,
does that mean I have been cemented for not pursing doors myself?

Even if I have not cemented like a statue,
can I whip-up the energy and piece of mind to excel?
To go places, see things, and challenge myself to live out some dreams?

Can I push the buttons of complacency and go to a fantasy place?
A place with no time ticking, no misguided results, only calm.
If my response is negative, am I a slacker, a settler?

At times my spirit is willing
tho' more often my body is weak.
Am I to start and gain momentum, consistently,
only to fizzle, crash, and burn on some mountainside?

In Your hands I place my contemplations,
knowing You alone have charted my course
and You have free rein to solidify it, or alter it,
to meet Your ultimate plan. It is all in Your hands!

I will do my best to ask,
I will do my best to seek,
I will do my best to accept Your answer,
for it is in You that I was once lost, but now am found.

It is in You who keeps me grounded
tho' I am happily heaven-bound.