Air Force Friend

Here I am days after high school graduation, and in the thick of things at Basic Training in the Air Force. After riding on a bus, plane, and bus again, all day, I arrived in San Antonio, Texas about 2:00 in the morning. I had made some quick friends on the journey. Some I never saw again, a few I only heard about, and one girl, Jeanne, became my best friend for the next 6 months.

After Basic Training in San Antonio, we traveled up to Wichita Falls, Texas. There we went to Tech School to learn to become dental assistants. Though Jeanne and I were in separate classes, most of our free time was coordinated together. When I got stationed in the desert of California, and she was sent way up north to Alaska, we only had contact once. She had married and had at least one child, I remember her saying.

From then until now...no contact.
I wonder if I will ever come across her in the future. If so, I hope she recalls me fondly, as I do her. At a time of great struggle in my life, she was my savior.

Babies and Mother

Although I have never had a baby shower myself,

many family and friends have had their share,

so by now I can throw a fine shower for anyone.

 

I'm choosing to hostess a shower for someone

I'm not related to,

someone I know a bit, but not very well.

 

Does one need to know so much

about an expectant mother?

 

Don't most mother's share the yearning

to get the baby out!?

To sing lullaby's while holding

their precious bundle(s) of joy,

whether a girl or boy, or both,

and sniff the fine hair and the soft baby skin

that smells

of Johnson's baby wash and baby powder?

 

Don't most mother's share

the hopes, dreams, and joys

that revolve not around themselves,

but about their angel-child(ren)'s

head, a halo, yes,

even in devilish times?

 

Don't most mother's grieve the same way

when their little one,

even when fully grown,

falls down and bleeds?

 

Don't they run for the

ice, crème, and Band-Aids

to make the boo-boo "All better,"

with a little kiss of love

for good measure?

 

I've offered to hostess a baby shower

for a young friend who has a mother

who would do this herself,

but is graciously allowing me

a little bit of Heaven by  letting

me throw the shower I never received

myself.

The Wheels Go Around

As I sit

on the

cushioned seat,

I

move my feet,

and around

the

wheels

go...

with

each revolution

I get

further away

from

the

place

I just left,

and

closer to

my

destination,

yet

it is

not in getting

there,

it is

the

journey

along the

way,

that

makes the

wheels

going

around worth

the

effort

and

worth the

trip

around

the block

on my

bike!

After I

go

straight

for a mile

I

begin

to turn

the

handlebars

left

and then

right,

in a wiggly

fashion,

in order

to

liven up

the

ride.

Then,

in an

attempt

to show

I have

a

sense

of humor,

I do a

few circles,

wide and

small,

then

go fast

and

slow...

...so slow

I almost

don't

go...

Instead

of the

wheels

going

around,

I am

falling

down!

Back up

I

get and

try again

to ride

a mile

with

no

hands!

Umbrellas in the Rain

Today, just as hot as yesterday

and the several days before,

Instead of hanging out on the couch

I talked my husband into going outdoors...

 

'Let's go over to Calef's ballfield', I say

'They're having a craft fair and raffles today!'

 

My husband replied in a positive fashion

that we could water the flowers at church,

for flowers and God are his passion.

 

I agreed...so off we went on by

even though dark clouds were in the sky,

While watering the flowers in the muggy air

I'm dreaming of attending the big craft fair!

 

Thunder, oh my, is rumbling in the sky, I hear,

while hubby waters...it will rain...I fear.

I race to the car and bring out two umbrellas,

one for the gal and one for the fella.

 

While it pours from the sky and mists our toes

we continue to water from the long green hose,

for you never know, the rain could stop right now,

when it continues, with umbrellas, out we bow.

 

Home to change and then the sun comes out

I want to race back to the craft fair and wander about,

Now hubby is relaxed back on the couch with t.v.,

that leaves plans to make...Miss Conniving me!

 

Shall we go back and try the craft fair again

or watch a Hallmark movie that just began,

Maybe neither, maybe go for a walk,

maybe pour some lemonade

and have a meaningful talk.

 

It matters not, actually,

what my husband and I do,

as long as we're together

to kiss, cuddle and coo...

 

 

Robin Floated Away

It has been a hectic day of emotions being on a roller-coaster ride.
I learned that a friend of the family, who's been battling cancer,
LOST HER BATTLE TODAY!

Yes, I'm sad...
I am only glad
that I have the knowledge
that she and devoted husband
continued their religious faith,
that she clutched a cross in her hand
that with each labored breath her hand-strength
grew more weak...
...also growing weak was the clutch the devil held upon her.

Yet still she clung on to the promise of GOD
that off to Heaven she would float
to the bright light, where peace and no pain, await.

She passed away into the light,
and on my way home from work
I detoured and drove to my friend's house,
HER BROTHER,
who was in need of a hug...
who's voice quivered,
who's eyes glistened,
and who's wife showed him affection
by rubbing her hand across his back...
not only once, but twice.

Roller coaster rides have never been my friends,
no more true than today,
when we are left to mourn and Robin floated away...

Now with time to reflect on the
wonderful life Robin shared with us,
from our days of youth when riding
to and from on the yellow school bus...

To life moments when Rick she wed,
and sugar-plum dreams danced in her head,
to babies born from love and devotion,
to children-raising and all life's commotion.

Amid the commotion a calming belief held true
that embracing Robin's family was the Lord she knew,
That God, at her request, was with her every step
and dried her tears,
though truly blessed, Robin seldom wept.

Now released to her Promised Land in the sky,
plead not for answers to your questions 'why?'
True, the devil invaded her body within,
but Robin's Lord equipped her with religious tools to win!

Holding true to her faith set an example for us all
to call on God when in trouble or when we fall.

Hold on tight with all your might to the cross,
just like Robin did.

Have Faith, claim your room in God's mansion-in-the-sky,
just like Robin did.

Don't agonize this day and continually ask 'why,'
just know that the devil gave up
and Robin embraced the courage
for her Savior and her to WIN!

Roller coaster rides never seem to end,
and with Robin's bravery and fine Christian example,
she allows us to ride life's roller coaster
knowing Robin will never leave our hearts
and she will be our guardian-angel-friend!

Robin floated away,
but her beloved memory will always stay.
Keep Robin in your heart and memory,
for one day, if you love the Lord like she,
we will float away and our Robin we shall happily see!