First Day of School (Poem revisited)

I thought I would repost this poem I shared a couple of years ago. There is so much talk about the first day of school and friends that are teachers getting as excited and nervous as the kids.

It is my oldest grandchild, Kaylyn's 2nd year in Middle School, going into 7th grade, so she's an old pro now. Her sister goes into 4th grade and baby sister has to wait two more years. My oldest grandson start's 5th grade and little brother is still home with Mom but he is so ready to learn he's already reading his colors. He's been messaging me on Facebook for a year now typing out the words he already knows and he's only four. What can I say, all my grandkids are geniuses. I bet yours are too.

So here is a poem I wrote for teachers on this auspicious occasion. Especially, first year teachers. You will do just great. I'm sure of it.

First Day of School

By Karen Arthur

 

May 2009

As you watch their little feet
Pad across to their new seat,
You have a tiny, little panic attack.
But don’t sell yourself short,
Just show them love from your heart,
For they are willing to give that love back.

Little Mary in row two,
Looks like she’s ready to,
Give up her lunch before the bell rings.
And poor Johnny over there,
Is asking you, “What’s a square?”
After explaining it 12 times it seems.

As they march out this first day,
Backpacks dragging all the way,
All you can think now is “How did I do?”
Just ask the parents if you dare,
They’ll let you know how you fared,
And how much each little angel loves you.

With lots of hugs and a some prayer,
They learn so much from you there,
While today you helped mold their little minds.
It may be the just the first day,
But what you both take away,
Will be remembered for each one’s lifetime.

 

 

God is With Me

I woke up with these words in my head Saturday. I wrote it down and then read it at our ladies meeting Saturday morning. Then that I gave it to my Friend at her 75th birthday party that night. I'm going to reprint it on pretty paper and frame it for her. Val has been my best friend for almost 30 years and I call her my angel. No matter what I need, she is there to take care of it and I do the same for her. So I thought I would share this special poem with you. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me. Remember, God is always with us.

Love, Karen (Grandmommy)

 

God Is With Me

 

There is beauty in the sunrise

And the misty morning dew,

Creatures scamper here and there,

Lord, that’s how I See you.

Children screaming in the sprinklers

Laughing, "Look what I can do?"

Calling, "Mommy did you see me?"

Lord, that’s how I Hear you.

Breezes brushing on my shoulders

Rain splashing on my shoe.

Basking in the warm sunlight,

Lord, that’s how I Feel you.

You Touch me in the shadows,

You Talk me through my pain.

I Feel You in the paths I take,

Good or bad, You love me just the same.

I look to You for guidance

And I pray I understand.

Your Word is my deliverance,

And Your Will is my command.

Where Has the Time Gone?

I just realized it's been 5 months since I posted on my blog. It has been such a busy year I guess time just flew by. In Dec I had a routine CT scan that ended up adding a PET scan, an abdominal biopsy, a visit to an infectious disease doctor, a MRI, and a bone biopsy on my spine and now that it's all said and done . . . I don't have cancer. Which is good news, Praise the Lord. I could have done without the stress and pokes and exposure to radiation but I'm glad to know I'm still going to live.

I do have Sarcoidosis but that's another story. Just an inconvenience.

So since I've missed saying it, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Easter, Happy Mother's Day. And in case I miss it, Happy Memorial and Father's Day. So many days to celebrate, so little time.

I feel like I can get back to living. I am finally really learning to play the guitar. I took one lesson from a gentleman at church who is graciously giving free lessons (it said youth but some of us oldies showed up). I am so excited, I went right out and bought a new guitar for me for Mother's Day and got my Honey's fixed up for him. I have practiced every day since our first lesson and my fingers are getting numb. Funny how they develop a callous but you can still feel the pain pressing on those strings. I asked for soft strings but got some eye rolls instead. (Okay, I missed two days practicing but made up for it the next day.) The reason I am so excited is I've tried this several times before and never made it past a day without giving up. Maybe two but I don't think so. Apparently, since I am more familiar with pain, I'm like what? You called this pain. This is nothing. I must have been such a wuss.

My daughter and I went to three craft shows in the last 6 weeks. We set up selling cutesy stuff to next season's cheerleaders. Autumn did awesome. I, on the other hand, gave out a lot of business cards. I expect those to pay off closer to football season. Finger's crossed. I am making big, bead spirit jewelry and have a blast doing it. I am so obsessive compulsive that I just ordered more beads than my drawers can hold. No problem, I have empty folger's jars waiting. That's called positive thinking.

The craft room has been completely moved around and it is in pretty good shape finally. No, it's not totally finished but we had to make some real crafts to justify taking over the entire den and dining room.

I'll post pics on my next post. I have to run to church for a Lady's Ministry Kick-Off. Since our oven is not working I'm taking a pack of cookies leftover from Children's Church this morning. Chewy Chips Ahoy, I don't think anyone will complain. I just hope they make it to church still unopened.

Have a blessed week. Or 5 months but I promise I'll be back before I let it go that long again.

When I Get to Heaven

The story of Newtown, Connecticut is all over the news and our hearts are full of sorrow for the families that lost loved ones, the town that is having to deal with this horrid disaster, and the victims who's lives were cut short before their time. We know they are with Jesus and are not feeling any pain, totally opposite to what we are feeling.

I get a lot of Facebook posts for prayers and I have followed some stories of children that have been going through different illnesses, some from abuse, and how brave they are and I have been uplifted by the faith of the parents going through the anguish and cried with them. Last week one of these little children, a beautiful angel born with SMA, Briley Faith, gently left her mother and father's arms and moved to her new homes straight into the arms of Jesus. I was so sad that she wasn't healed on Earth, yet rejoiced that she was healed perfect in Heaven. In her short two months here she touched so many lives, including mine.

Four years ago another child, Peyton, crossed over on the same day I found out I had breast cancer. Somehow following Peyton's story helped me get through my struggle. She was so brave after discovering she at leukemia at only four years of age, how could I complain. Peyton's aunt said she was my angel to help me through it. I thought of Peyton often. I never met her, her aunt was on one of my Yahoo groups and had asked for prayer. We sent gifts to Peyton and her brother and followed her story while praying for her daily. Just one example of how the Internet has enriched our lives. Being blessed by some really great people and also, hopefully, having the honor of touching other's lives. 

When little Briley Faith (what a great name for such a beautiful little girl) crossed over, the beginning lines of a poem began swirling in my head. The words kept coming back to me over and over. And then the shooting happened. The same lines bore into my brain and I had  stop what I was doing, sit down, and finish this poem that God put on my heart to write. It was around 11 p.m. and I finished it at 2 in the morning. So this poem is dedicated to Briley Faith and the 20 children that crossed over last week. I have cried buckets of tears and I know tears have flowed through most of America and across the globe even. I've prayed many prayers for the health of our country, Briley's parents, and also for everyone involved in the tragedy and my prayer today is that this poem will somehow touch you and give you comfort. 

Please feel free to share this page with your friends. 

God's Playground

by Karen Arthur

written December 15th, 2012

When I get to Heaven I want first to see,

God’s beautiful playground where the children will be.

Some were abused, many ill, others shot

A few came together, in accidents, some not.

I want to hug all and give them a kiss.

I’ll let them know how on Earth they were missed.

I know that Jesus will be there as well

Holding the children with stories to tell.

I’ll take their hand as I sit on the ground

With all of the children gathered around.

We’ll take turns sharing about how they arrived,

I’ll tell them each one has changed many lives.

I’ll comfort them then and I’ll let them know

Their parents were sad when they had to go.

But they’ll be here someday and to not dismay,

I’ll be there for them until that great day.

Don’t be discouraged, each child’s life has a plan,

Let God’s love surround you while you hold their hand.

And if one is taken by sickness or hate,

They’ll be playing in Heaven right close to the gate.

Watching and waiting for us to appear,

And remember in Heaven there’s never a fear.

So I’ll head to the playground to meet them someday

Excited and happy, I’m coming to play. 

Thank you Veterans, Veteran’s Day 2012

Yesterday our church dedicated three new flagpoles in front of our church to our veterans and active servicemen. It was a beautiful ceremony and honored our 84 year old member of Trinity Life Baptist Church and WWII veteran Carl Wood. He is a really sweet guy and funny. When he spoke he started at his birth and covered his 94 years but it wasn’t too long, he was great. He also worked at the Veteran’s Hospital for thirty years after he got out of the Army, the last three as the director (head honcho). I, for one, am very impressed. I’ve only known him as a sweet old retiree. He even worked at Sam’s Club thirteen years after he retired from the hospital opting not to sit home but staying busy. If he had not begun losing his eyesight he would probably still be working. We were even on Channel 4 news at 9 last night. Well, not me but Mike made it on there along with quite a few members and of course, Carl and his lovely daughter, Barbara Ripley (they kept calling her Riley so I wanted to set that record straight).



My husband was asked to speak during the first service. The Senior pastor who was not in the first service told me three people came up and told him how moving Mike’s speech was so he asked him to speak again at the second service. I’m so proud of my husband for so many reasons and one of them is his heart for God. He wore his uniform and looked so dashing. The picture above is just as he said amen in the dismissal prayer. So Pastor was not being disrepectful by not bowing his head. The other pic had him looking at his watch so I thought this one was better. Didn't want you to think Mike was a longwinded pray-er.  Then we moved outside for the dedication and he was asked to pray again. Guess Pastor Russell thought he need to get prayed up.

Here is his speech from the first service in case you missed it or just want to hear from a veteran in the Viet Nam era about his service experience. Believe me, it’s worth it.

Mike speaking

Background data, Mike and I knew each all our lives because our dad’s worked together. When he was stationed in Japan, he wrote a letter to my dad and mailed it to the house. He said if anyone in your family would like to write, I’d love to get letters from home. Mom swore he was aiming that at me which I knew she was crazy but I wrote to him anyway because I’ve always had a bit of a crush on him anyway. You know, the older man and all. So that’s how we ended up married. It was love at first letter.

We are from a family of servers. My dad was in the army and went to India, Mike’s dad was in the Army Air force and went to Italy, Mike's mom was in the Marines and went to Hawaii as a pastry chef, and my son went to Egypt and Iraq as a medic. And we have lots of friend that served as well. The picture below is from church yesterday. My husband is the one in uniform next to the lady in the red blouse (that’s me) and my friend, Val, is standing in front of me, her husband Joe was in the Air Force. The lady next to Val holding the baby is Jill. She has three boys and her husband Jonathan has been to Afghanistan so many times I’ve lost count but he is at this moment in the states on his way home for good. He has or is receiving a medal (or medals) for saving the lives of many people in a suicide attack on our service men not too long ago. He was injured as well but made it back to keep fighting. Praise God for his bravery and service.



So today, on this Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2012, I say thank you to all our veterans and active duty service members for serving our country. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve had to make and thank you to the families for their sacrifice as well, and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice. Our country would not be free today were it not for our men and women who serve.

Good News is Meant to be Shared

If you don't believe in prayer, let me be a testimony to God's grace and answered prayer.

I was up until 1:00 a.m. looking for a very important paper. First, I looked in the last place I remembered keeping it (my sewing chair compartment under the cushion). Then the next place where I keep important documents, (the jar on my dresser) then the third (several different places I have files like actual drawers). No luck, so then I just tore up the house searching through drawers, closets, bins, book shelves, and more files while keeping my poor husband from having a good night's sleep. I looked in the living room bookcases, the craft room drawers, buckets of junk, any possible place I could have put this huge envelope with an important document. I wouldn't have put it just anywhere. . Would I?

Finally, sweating and exhausted I went to bed. I was praying the whole time. I tried to let my mind relax so God could send me a mental telegram, audio, visual, some sort of message of where to look. I had a fleeting moment of a placing it in a shallow type box and it was gone. Of course, I know I had it in the chair and it's a shallow type box. So much for that glimpse.

The next morning I checked a couple of places I thought of that I might have missed in my ravaging of our crowded, full of junk, space. Nothing. I called Autumn when I got to work after the girls had been delivered to school, and she began looking as well. The first place she checked while on the phone to me was the same spot I had already looked. Under the sewing chair cushion. Yes, not the best place for important papers but it was so important I knew it was safe there, no one ever looks in it. It doesn't have much in it and so not that hard to look inside. We both lifted the two round boards and shuffled the two doilies around. Nothing. Like it was going to materialize.

I talked to Mike on my way home for lunch and told him about how I need that document and I know God will take care of it so please pray that I find it. 

Just before I hung up, Mike said, "I'll say a prayer."

I said "Great."

So I hang up and stand in my sewing room scanning all the possible hiding places I could have stuck a large envelope that could be brown, white, or not even that large, it could be over sized letter envelope. I just knew it was in an envelope. I say to Autumn, the last place I kept it was in that chair. Mom and I took it out one day and looked at it so I thought I moved it to the bedroom to a drawer for safe keeping. Yet, I looked in the drawers and didn't find it.

After all my prayers for God to show me where to look, I just had to look one more time in the chair. I opened it and still, no envelope. Like I said, hardly nothing is in the chair anymore. I picked up the boards, nothing, moved the two doilies on a card. Nothing. I start to put the boards down when something white caught my eye. An envelope folded in two. Not small, just a large envelope folded over. I grabbed it, looked at Autumn with wonder in my eyes.

"Is that it?" She asked. I knew it was it the minute I saw the flash of white. She exclaimed, "I looked there! I even lifted the boards, too."

"I know," I said, "So did I." I thought I did anyway.

I am here to tell you, I serve an Awesome God. A Supernatural God. If that envelope was there, it was invisible to our human eyes but for whatever reason, it was there right before I dropped the cushion down. God answered our prayers. I immediately texted Mike. We had been off the phone for maybe 30 seconds. "I found it!"

"Great, that's wonderful." He texted back. I couldn't stand it, I had to call. Good news is meant to be shared. Not just texted!

　

Do not tell me God isn't real. He is my Savior, my Salvation, and my Mentor.

Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I'd surely fail
Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail.

Without Him I would be dying
Without Him I'd be enslaved
Without Him life would be worthless
But with Jesus thank God I'm saved.

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost I would be
Without Him how lost I would be.

A dear friend of Mom's passed away this week. I can just imagine the joy and excitement in Heaven when she appeared at the Pearly Gates. I know Mom was front and center and shouting, "Welcome Gladys!" louder than anybody. And Glady's precious husband Paul planting a big ol' kiss on her angelic lips.



Here's a little poem I just wrote. Hope you like it.


Time slowly passed,
On Earth, nothing lasts.
There's the inevitable signs of aging.
The wrinkles now show,
Aching muscles go slow,
And politics on the news is enraging.
Morals are slack,
The leaders laid back.
The State of the world is a horror.
If God hadn't promised
He surely would vomit
Destruction like on Sodom and Gomorrah.
But His promise He gave
And by dying He saved
All us sinners just for the asking,
For forgiveness of sin
It's the ticket to win
Life with Jesus Christ everlasting.

Like I said, Good news is meant to be shared.

 

Goodbye Mom, For Now

 

Mom crossed over into Glory Land early this morning. The phone rang and I missed the call by the time I pulled off the CPAP machine and found my phone. I rang it back as Mike's cell began to ring. On my phone the nurse at the hospital asked me to come to the hospital regarding my mother.

I asked if she had passed and she said, "I'm sorry, yes ma'am she did. Do you want to see her?"

I said, "Yeah, we'll be right there." Thinking this must be normal although nothing seemed normal right then. I didn't cry, I felt relief. She was on her deathbed and I didn't want her to suffer.

Mike's call was the hospice nurse Andrea. She gave me the details as they had been given to her and my head was kind of spinning while trying to get dressed and get on my way. Then the social worker called as we were leaving the house or as we got to the hospital. Not really sure now but I told her we knew and thanks for the call.

When we arrived, they ushered us into room 218 where Mom looked like she did when I left her, except her chest was no longer going up and down. I watched her breathing all week to make sure she was still with us. Occasionally she would moan, choke a little, but mostly just sleep. The pink had left her cheeks and her skin was getting cold but still touchable. I stroked her cheek and told her I loved her as tears rolled down mine.

It is a relief to know Mom is now praising Jesus in Heaven. I know she was met at the gate by my Granny and Grand-dad, Dad, Charlie, her best friend after Dad and Granny went to Heaven, and so many others too numerous to name.

No one wants to lose a loved one but no one wants to see that loved one suffer. It's is a hard thing to do, but it was good for me to spend the last few weeks spending extra time with Mom. She lived with us but we are always so busy with life that we don't often slow down and spend time just talking. I spent every lunch hour at the nursing home or hospital and every night someone went by to visit and keep her in the present and out of the scary other worlds her mind took her. She had some good days and some bad nights. Mom had always had a sharp mind. She was a crack crossword puzzle solver so it was hard for her to lose her memories. And she knew it was happening. She had moments of normal followed by fear and confusion then back to normal but she remembered much of the confusion as real. Then she'd realize she was losing it. She told me two weeks ago when she got her ability to talk back briefly, "I didn't want to go this way." Heartbreaking.

If I have one takeaway from this experience to share with others, it is this; spend time with your loved ones. Go visit your parents, visit with your children, call your friends, stop and smell the roses, then pick some and take them to someone who needs a little cheer in their life. Life is too short to be mad, sad, rushing, fearful or confused. Mom ended up very confused with dementia but you could see her personality even in her confusion. Be careful how you live because all of your traits, good or bad, are magnified when your mind starts to fade a little. I want to be happy, do good, make a difference, be at peace, so when someday should I get dementia, forgetfulness, or confusion, let my true self show through with beauty, grace, and no fear. I want my legacy to be, Karen gave of herself and her heart was full of love. I want to be a giver like my Mom. No one could go hungry around her, she'd give off her own plate. Literally, "Here, eat this. I won't eat it." Even if she just took her first bite.

I know Mom is at perfect peace now and full of joy. That is how I see her, with her beautiful smile, young and dancing with my dad. I told her when she gets to Heaven, Dad and Charlie will be fighting over her. She laughed at that. She was blessed to have found love twice and nursed them both in their sicknesses. Dad passed away at 52 with cancer and Charlie suffered from MS their whole courtship. Mom was a caregiver so it was hard for her to accept our care giving to her. Always stubborn and self sufficient, she hated being dependent on anyone. Unless, it suited her. I sometimes think she saw herself as queen and us her subjects. Ha! Yes, at times we butted heads but we loved her and she loved us with all her heart. She would do anything for her kids or grand kids if it was in her power and sometimes even if it wasn't.

Mom loved her Bingo. She had Bingo friends that she missed dearly since she hadn't been able to go in a year. She had church friends from forever that she still talked to often. I grew up sitting in the laps of her, dad, and all of their friends while they slammed dominoes on the table boasting their victories. Mom was a ferocious player. She liked to win and she was good. My brother and I grew up playing with Mom and Dad in every kind of game such as 42, pinnochle, hearts, spades, even double nines, tri-ominoes and anything else we could find to play. As Randy got older we had to hog tie him to play with us but Mike came along and we became partners with Mom and Dad in the weekly games. We were just like the old folks playing dominoes. As a kid we had fun vacations and always had our games with us to keep us busy in case of rain. Mike and I continued that tradition even to this day we take extra things to do or play. That may be why I love rain and don't mind rainy vacations.

Autumn just brought me a Grandmother's Memories book that we gave Mom and we didn't know she had filled it out. Oh my, now this brought tears to my eyes reading her memories. Pastor Russell asked me tonight if she had a favorite bible verse and I didn't remember one. Here it is in the book.

2 Timothy 1:12

King James Version (KJV)

^12 b for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

I had some tears reading some of her answers.

I know there is a God because
     I feel His presence.
I believe when I go to Heaven
     I will meet my loved ones face to face.
An important lesson I hope all my children and grandchildren learn
    To always be honest, serve the Lord, and be kind to one another.
Someone who helps me be a better Christian today
    Your Grandmommy (me)
    PePaw Charlie (her companion for 25 years)
Something I have learned about getting along with others
     Do not criticize, be a good listener, which sometimes I'm not because I guess I want to talk.  
     (anyone who knows my Mom knows this is TRUE.)
My best friend now
     Actually I have always said your Grandmommy is not only my daughter, but also my 
     best friend, which I think she is.

Nuggets of silver and gold left behind for us to find.

Thank you Mom. I will always love and miss you.

So Goodbye.  For now. I'll meet you on the other side.