Ninety-Something

I am a portable X-Ray Tech. This enables me to take a lot of X-Rays of people in Seniors' Homes. I met a man, the other day who lifted my spirits and made me think. As I brought him to his room for the X-Ray, he sang "Joy to the world" as the nurses and other tenants enjoyed his singing and happy strut. He made people feel like they were on top of the world and that the view was marvelous. As we entered his room, he had a keyboard and sheets of music for all the old hymns. He had a commendation from a church saying congratulations on 75 years of singing for God on his window sill. He sang "Silent Night", "Old Rugged Cross" with a little of Frank mixed in. I was inspired by his catchy spirit. Then he caught me off guard. While looking at his keyboard and hymns, I said "Looks like you have had a full life of cheering people up" and he replied "Well I'm still singing, ain't I?" He wasn't interested in me giving him praise for his past; for he was still singing. So often while I meet people in these homes I get disheartened. I think to myself when I am at this stage my two choices of thought are either death row, or heaven's waiting room. Charles Dickens once wrote "It is a far, far better thing that I do then anything I have ever done." I thought to myself our past rewards are not for our present satisfaction but only to be used as a key to a door to a task that exalts God's name today.

Galatians 6:9-10a

"Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."

Grave Robber

Jesus. I know weird huh. But Jesus was our Grave robber. He is the reason we no longer have to believe that we are in the ground when we die. Throughout all the deaths I have had to endure in my life, one of the saddest times are when I see the people I love being put into the ground. We then look down to them and and cry. This is a normal emotion to feel when we no longer can spend time with our loved ones. But the Looking down into the ground is such a sad thing indeed. So don't. Look up and look forward to seeing them in heaven. I know this is not a natural response but if you truely believe this person had a close relationship with Jesus our savior, it should be natural. Making that true connection that we will be in Heaven with God when we die and living with that same positive approach of Paul "For to me to live is Christ and to die is Gain" Philippians 1:21 is freedom indeed. Thats why I have decided what is going to be on my Gravestone.

"Sorry i'll have to take a raincheck, I'm not here, Chin up, meet me in heaven." John 3:16

Jelly Filled Hearts

The most funnest, important, crazy, heartwrenching, warming, and awesome responsibility in the whole entire world

Is to fill even the smallest spot in the heart of a little boy or girl.

And maybe in that venture we'll find something God intended

Motives that are pure in faith not tweaked, twisted or bended

Prick your ears up to the echoed laughter in neighborhood corners

And gaze into the bliss of dancing that exact emotion and anywhere you like

Enjoy a jump in a puddle, a teddy bear cuddle then fly a homemade kite and even wheelies on your bike.

Blindly parade your busybee life into a jar of honey

and lets not forget life's intricate treasures like feeding a carrot to a bunny

Lets reminisce of caught memories that were monstrous in a moment and forgotten in a wisp of mom's cooking tugging at your jelly filled heart;

and deliberate why we couldn't stop laughing when grandma let out a fart

What about cool rocks and mud layered socks, reckless shooting stars and empty cookie jars.

Those playful pet frogs and 20 foot dogs, a mudpuddle sea and a bike rides' scraped knee

Why can't our lives still be:

G.I. Joe, that royal front seat, hugs after a stubbed toe, and a DQ treat

Remember when:

Sister Did it, Brother Hid it, Dog ate it and the squirm of Hooks Baited

The calm of picnic shade and warmth of cookies made, playing catch and dogs to fetch

I consider we leave time afar for no allotted time and let your troubles blur for just long enough

to listen to the glisten of the wonder of what could be

If you could simplify your life into the mystery of that crazy bird perched up on that tree

Dreams build steam in a ray moonbeam

and Gigantor Esteems has lead me astray from a fairy tale theme

Fearlessly setting sail allegiance on seas of trust

Then come bullies in the schoolyard and at the back of the bus

Something missing in one hurting anothers fun

King's and Queen's of the Sandbox drop their faded crowns

Tears only temporarily remedied with the wit of life's clowns

We hope that when they are older their wrinkles reflect will reflect their smiles and not their frowns

Near perfect acts of popular excellence may bring crowds into a dome

But the faith of a child will always lead you home

If one thing I believed was true in everything I've learned thus far

This same dilemna we find in playgrounds may find our thoughts today

So look for little versions of us and still I nobly say,

The most funnest, important, crazy, heartwrenching, warming, and awesome responsibility in the whole entire world

Is the fill even the smallest spot in the heart of a little boy or girl.

~Michael - Inspired by the departure of a Mothers Love and what I hope is yet to come for me.

Poem for Samantha, my heart, home, and Wife.

Samantha you are my hearts comfort in a world that has lost its charm

I don't remember cold being so warm without you in my arms

Your compassion instills a joy in me thats infinitely timeless

You make my pride in inadequacy feel like together we have greatness

Your sweetness in a candy surprise, could bring sparkle to a million eyes

Your smile for example if powered would leave worlds barren now flowered

I never knew a day could feel so full of life until i found you

I never knew a day would come when my idea of love would be multiplied by two

Diamond tears appear at the falls of a heart so moved making a silence last

Seconds in your eyes drown all my hurt and blind all my past

Thank you for laughing with me through my joy and my pain

Thank you for tears in sincerity that flood me like cleansing rain

Thank you for being there when thats exactly what i need

Thank you for Ruby Green forests of love from a simple seed

Thank you for being you because simply that is who I've grown to Love

Yours, Michael

Quote

Those who act on their convictions

Enjoy their reflections

~Michael