Showing posts with label poems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poems. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Gifts of Time Our Children Ask of Us

Gifts of Time Our Children Ask of Us

Accept me... when others engage in comparison
Pause with me... when others hurry by;
Walk with me... when others have too little time;
Listen to me... when others are too preoccupied;
Read with me... when others prefer television;
Talk with me... when others prefer shouting;
Praise me... when others can only find fault;
Believe in me... when others offer no encouragement;
Play with me... when others prefer to being entertained;
Discipline me... when others fail to set limits;
Learn with me... when others have forsaken curiosity;
Laugh with me... when other fail to see any humor;
Challenge me... when others accept less than my best;
Create with me... when others settle for ready-made;
Pray with me... when others have lost faith;
Hug me... and remind me how much I am loved;
Dream with me... and discover all I would like to be.

Lifetime Memories
For Our Children
- Anthony P. Witham, Ph.D.








Thursday, September 22, 2011

Why God Gives Us Two

Ever wonder why God gives us two?
A right hand to show the left what to do.
One ear to listen and one to hear
the problems of others,
their laughter and fears.
One eye to watch and one to behold
the beautiful treasures that life has to hold.
One foot to travel and one to stand tall.
Two feet to land on if we should fall.
One man to stand by a woman's side;
 One woman to cherish being his bride.
The love between partners
comes shining through
and that is the reason
God has made two.
 
-Author Unknown 

 Me sporting my favorite casual boots... only $13 at Ross last fall!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Words of Wisdom

 "Happy girls are the prettiest."
-Audrey Hepburn

 
"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. 
It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."
-Unknown


Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
                                                             me when you grew old.                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.

~Karen Kingsbury

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"The Oak Tree"

Elder Ballard shared this poem at a recent CES Fireside.

“The Oak Tree”
by: Johnny Ray Ryder Jr:

A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing Oak?"

The Oak Tree said, I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see
they are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Written by Meijl Stewart

CHiLDReN ARE

A Amazing (acknowledge them)
B Believing (trust them)
C Children (allow them)
D Divine (honor them)
E Energetic (nourish them)
F Falliable (embrace them)
G Gifts (treasure them)
H Here Now (be with them)
I Innocent (delight with them)
J Joyful (appreciate them)
K Kindhearted (learn from them)
L Lovable (cherish them)
M Magical (fly with them)
N Noble (esteem them)
O Open Minded (respect them)
P Precious (value them)
Q Questioners (encourage them)
R Resourceful (support them)
S Spontaneous (enjoy them)
T Talented (believe in them)
U Unique (affirm them)
V Vulnerable (protect them)
W Whole (recognize them)
X Xtra Special (celebrate them)
Y Yearning (notice them)
Z Zany (laugh with them)

Monday, August 10, 2009

My Three White Dresses

My Three White Dresses
by Linda Gay Nelson


My mom bought me a white dress,
Not red or pink or blue.
She said it was a special dress
Like very other few.
There has been just one before,
A dress now put away,
That I wore some time ago
Upon my blessing day.
As a little baby clothed
In my first white dress,
My dad held me in his arms,
There to name and bless.

So pure and clean I was just then,
With time to grow and learn
About the Father's plan for me.
My glory I must earn.


Now I've reached the age to judge
The wrong road from the right,
And I'm here to be baptized
In this dress of white.
So once again I'm free from sin.
The path is clear to me.
I'll grasp the rod and hold on tight,
I vow with certainty.
Just as mud would stain my dress,
Sin would stain my soul.
The key to repent or bleach,
For witness is my goal.


And if I try my very best,
Then richly blessed I'll be,
Wearing inside God's holy house
White dress number three.
So today I make this pledge:
I'll strive to choose the right,
Through this sacred baptism ordinance
In my second dress of white.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Your Kids ARE Watching YOU!

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell


More than two decades ago, a young woman soon to graduate from college and get married reflected on her life and was filled with gratitude for the goodness and example of her mother. After praying for divine assistance to express in words her love and appreciation, Mary Rita Schilke Korzan wrote a poem titled “When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking” and dedicated it to her mother. Years later she was surprised to find the poem in a book with the words “author unknown.” Mary eventually unraveled the mystery of lost authorship, driven by a desire that those who read the poem would know the person who inspired it—her mother.


When you thought I wasn’t looking
You hung my first painting on the refrigerator
And I wanted to paint another.


When you thought I wasn’t looking
You fed a stray cat
And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.


When you thought I wasn’t looking
You baked a birthday cake just for me
And I knew that little things were special things.


When you thought I wasn’t looking
You said a prayer
And I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.


When you thought I wasn’t looking
You kissed me good-night
And I felt loved.


When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw tears come from your eyes
And I learned that sometimes things hurt—
But that it's alright to cry


When you thought I wasn’t looking
You smiled
And it made me want to look that pretty too.
When you thought I wasn’t looking
You cared
And I wanted to be everything I could be.



When you thought I wasn’t looking—
I looked . . .
And wanted to say thanks
For all those things you did
When you thought I wasn’t looking.¹

Program #4055¹
© 1980 Mary Rita Schilke Korzan. Used by permission.



Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg


May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Is it worth trying to be a Molly Mormon? I don't think so!

Mormon Women: If you, or someone you know has ever felt overwhelmed by all they feel they need to do, Vickie Gunther of Redlands, California , wrote a hilarious poem, Dr. Seuss style, about how much LDS women try to take on. David B. Marsh used it at Women's Conference, and Vickie has given permission to share it.

The Girl in a Whirl

by 'Dr. Sue' ( a.k.a ... Vickie Gunther)


Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It's easy!" she said and then she dropped dead