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Haiku by Issa
Just to say the word
HOME, that one word alone
so pleasantly cool

“Don’t Die Wondering!” Did you hear that?
I am a great fan of Dr. Wayne Dwyer and have read all of his books. I love reading anything inspirational. Most recently I read his book, Inspiration. One phrase caught my attention and has resonated in my mind: “Don’t die wondering.”
I just celebrated my sixty-first birthday and I never thought I would spend the day in such a stupor. It seemed that I should have stayed in bed until the day after my birthday. My birthday is never a big deal to me. It is just another year that has passed by with the reminder that I have not yet done some things that I promised myself I would do before I die. So as I read the words’ “Don’t die wondering” inevitably I began to wonder about the future and my mortality.
This particular birthday reminded me of my dad; he died at fifty-four. His dreams were not completely fulfilled and he spent all of his life working so hard to make sure that we would not suffer economically. He never missed a day’s work until he became terminally ill. He did not last two months. So in comparison, I outlived his longevity by seven years and after working very hard all my life, unlike my dad, I was able to retire. The question is for what? I definitely have a bucket list. But I wonder if there is still a special calling for me. And I also think about my contributions to life up until now. What did I really
do?
What I now know is that my dad did so many things that were gutsy, adventurous, risky, inspirational, and people loved him for his generosity, humanity, ingenuity, great smile, hardy chuckle, and love for nature. He built a house from scratch during his vacations, days off, and birthdays. He shared George Washington’s Birthday on February 22, which was celebrated on the actual day and was a true holiday. He always got that day off to celebrate: the company he worked for had a policy that provided its employees with birthdays off. He was always kidding; he told people he had an extra day off because he knew the President and that he too was an important person.
I reminisced about all these things and asked myself the dreaded question; what have I accomplished in my sixty-one years of life? Then, I for a minute I thought I had heard his distinctive tenor type voice warning me to not die wondering and to live the now. I was shaken and brought to tears. I sobbed and started feeling sorry for myself. Then suddenly,
I snapped out of it.
I remembered all the reasons why I should be thankful. I have great children: they are accomplished and successful. I can’t stop smiling when I see my new grandson’s adorable chubby face. I just received a letter from my other grandson in his own cursive handwriting. The oldest is almost a man and is the tallest one in the family. They make me so proud. I have a husband who loves me and gets me at least four our very sentimental birthday cards that always say how much my life means to him and others. I have my older sister who has been my rock and like a parent to me but also a best friend. I have my parents’ in-law who I have adopted as my very own parents. They are always there for guidance, support, and inspiration. My family is unique and all of them inspire me one way or another. My mother taught me very important life lessons and her strength and
perseverance have been a source of inspiration my whole life. She also worked hard all her life. She adored her family and for her family came first, second, and third.
I looked out the window and saw the most glorious deep blue sky. Images floated in my mind as once again I heard the words, “Don’t die wondering.” I yelled out, “I won’t!”
I made a new list of the things I would do because I do not want to have any regrets. They are not the frivolous things I had written before like learn how to drive a race car. I do not want to wonder about the possibilities anymore and later perhaps even blame others because I did not get to do the things I proposed. I know now that nothing can stop me. I just have to get up earlier and just start.
The next time I write on this topic I will give you an update of what I have accomplished. I will probably surprise a lot of people I know. Most of all, I hope that I surprise myself. I hope I will have inspired someone to do the same. Surprise yourself and “make of yourself a masterpiece.” It would be sad to die wondering.
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Happiness in the present
Happiness is in the present
It’s here now. right this moment, Stop and listen: Its whisper will mesmerize you. Stop for a minute and breathe; Its scent is in the rose. Stop for a second and let your yourself feel; Its touch is like a child’s heartfelt hug. Stop for an instant It looks like a rainbow. Stop and savor the moment It tastes like cotton candy. Happiness is right here. Don’t let it go by you. It is in the present. Just pay attention.

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Origin
I come from silky mud
after a season of rain, rain, rain
one spring.
The universe would not
allow the earth to dry up
my mother could not resist
and picked up a clump
and made a fist
to shape me into the person I am today.
She told me though
that I had picked her.
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Man’s Best Friend
It’s Father’s Day Today
and all I have to say
is I am happy to be me
because you are my master
I will always be there for you
no matter what happens
today and forever after.
So take it easy
you deserve it
my dear friend
If I could talk
I’d tell you
Thanks for all the walks
and those delicious little biscuits.
My sign is clear
as you can see
I wear it with great pride
to let everyone
know that I’m always on your side
Happy Father’s Day!
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Memories of Memorial Day
A visit to the cemetery
where he was finally laid to rest
where all the buried are equal now
white stones aligned perfectly
in rows of infinite glory
small flags placed at each grave
wave as we walk in
The large flag ushers in the visitors
fresh flowers placed around the pole
Small town parades
celebrate their own
in remembrance
the President places
a wreath at the tomb
of the unknown soldier
known to us all
Taps played
My mother cries.
Then the family gathers
to relish the steaks on the charcoal grill
along with the side dishes
of potato salad, or macaroni and cheese.
Our uncle shares a story about the
day he entered the armed forces
and then he retreats to sip on a beer.
Even Memorial Day is not the same anymore
no memories left to tell about
A big sale at Sears is the topic of the day
A silent prayer survives it all.
Taps are played again on the late night news
I think about you
and whisper to myself,
He would have been a grandpa by now
I tell you how much I’ve missed you
and put your picture back in the
album mom made for you
the cover says it all:
We are all proud of you.
May 30, 1977
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Journey
I just learned through the media that the missing child I alluded to in last post (poem) was found dead. I cannot imagine the pain the family must be going through. I can only express my deepest condolences in another poem. I do not know that this poem will even reach the girl’s family but my heart aches. Every time I read or hear about another child missing my heart skips a beat. I remember the one time my daughter roamed away from us at the mall. It was the longest and most agonizing 15 minutes of my life. My throat became so dry I could barely speak. My husband became so pale it was as if someone had drained the blood from his body. She had been sitting in the book store the entire time not realizing that we were worried sick looking for her. When we saw her walking back towards us along side the Mall’s security guard I thought I would collapse from the sigh of relief. So I know that desperate feeling one gets when you know your child is missing. All it takes is a minute and your life can change forever.
I do not know all the details of this horrendous crime. The investigation is still fresh. But if indeed someone took this child’s life to steal her bicycle then my heart breaks even more. What a senseless, cruel, inhuman, barbaric act. Only heartless, brainless fools are capable of such a thing. What is happening to some of our youth? How does a bicycle become more valuable than a human life? What can we do to stop the craziness? How do we protect our children?
Here is my poem dedicated to the parents of the victim of this recent tragedy. God be with this family to help them cope with the pain.
A garden full of sweet smelling flowers has begun to grow
getting ready to greet you and invite you to the show
Your parents are aware
and know you must be there
among the angels
but of course they will miss you very much
and long to touch
your face as when they’d tiptoe into your room at night,
to kiss you on the forehead and say goodnight.
Now you are out of sight
to them and to your friends
but none will forget your plight
and we all will continue to flight
to stop what was your fatal destiny
from happening again
We promise to not forget
We promise to remember
the splendor of your short life
on this earth
And when we look up
to see the sky at night
you will be the most beautiful star
shining bright upon us.
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Another child missing
Pictures scattered on the bed
lay there helpless and shocked
almost knowing
not one of them is current
and that they cannot help the search
for another child missing.
One picture whispers, “pray”
the rest in unison respond,
“we have.”
Positive thoughts go out to the families of children abducted from close to home.
on dreaming or not
Someone I do not know asked,
“Don’t you get tired of dreaming?”
I could not respond because I was in the middle of a dream.
You know,
the one that visits me to distract me from all others;
or the one I shared with the peacemakers of the world;
and the one that turned into whipped cream unexpectedly,
or the one that bounces endlessly on the trampoline and makes everyone giggle.
And the one that makes you think about it all the time,
The one that smells as sweet as cinnamon and apples;
Or the one that tells me secrets I do not want to know.
Now I can answer your question.
Are you still there?
Do you ever get tired of breathing?
Melba Christie
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My Father-in-Law
Mother-in-laws are often mentioned either for good or for bad
I am very grateful that mine has never made me mad nor sad.
But let me tell you about my in-law father,
he too has been unique.
Juris Doctor has been his lifelong occupation
so in this way he’s my in-law father
but more than my father-in-law
he has been my dad too
whenever I need advice
he listens patiently
and lifts my hopes up high.
That is what dads do,
and this is what he has become to me
and when I need a lawyer,
I’ll always have one for free.
Of course I am just kidding
I love you Don Wil!
Maybe I have not told you this enough
Thanks for always being there for me
and also all in our family.
Today you are T-nueve
as my dear aunt Norma would have said
because she never told her age.
However, it’s O.K. because you are our sage.
We wish we could be with you
on this very special day,
but in the meantime until
we are together with you
May God bless you on your _9th birthday!
3-15-2012
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