I hope you knew
That I loved you,
that you made me laugh
on the dreary days.
I hope you knew
That I admired you,
how you faced each challenge
with poise and strength.
I hope you knew
That I was inspired by you,
your bravery and courage
in times of turmoil.
I hope you knew
that I respected you,
for your tenacity
in breaking barriers.
I hope you knew
that I am grateful to you,
for always being there
and soothing my sorrow.
I hope you knew
what you meant to me.
***I ADDED A TON TO THIS. IT'S ABOUT TWICE AS LONG AS IT WAS BEFORE. PLEASE CRITIQUE***
"Hello."
"Oh. Hi. You look familiar...have we met before?"
"I don't think so. I've seen you around at this conference before. At least I'm pretty sure I have."
She tilted her head to one side.
"Ohhh that must be it. I've been here every year since they started this conference back in 2012."
"Cool! So have I. My name is Mark. Mark Barton."
He shook her hand.
"Melissa Grey. Nice to meet you!"
Smiles.
"Do you love me?"
"Why do you ask?"
He tickled her.
"Stop it. You're silly. Do you?"
"Of course. You know I do."
"I just like to make sure you still do."
"Why would I ever stop?"
She chewed on the inside of her lip before responding.
"What if...I become ugly or sick?"
"I didn't marry you for your good looks, dearest, and I didn't marry you for your health. I married you for your heart and soul."
"What if we can't have children?"
Dad left.
A flag came back.
At first I did not understand why everyone was crying. I saw Daddy fast asleep in his uniform, like he always was when he came home from the grocery store. Of course, back then, he would be in his jeans and red polo shirt. He used to kick off his heavy shoes and collapse on the couch and fall fast asleep. I would lie down on his chest and his arm would surround me, all warm and safe. He would not even open his eyes. Then he would wake bright eyed and ready to play. He loved me, I could tell.
The beast of fear is drawing near;
Dear Lord what shall I do?
I'm weak and poor and harrowed here,
But I must turn to You.
My faith is small, my strength is gone,
I have no hope, no gain;
Wallowing here, I see the One:
He took my sin and shame.
My brokenness, my finite mind,
Is lost in His great love;
And looking up I see the cross,
With fear nailed up above.
He put it there, writ' with His blood,
And gave His all, for me,
So I could rest with peace of mind,
Knowing that I am free.
"Do you love me?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Stop it. You're silly. Do you?"
"Of course. You know I do."
"I just like to make sure you still do."
"Why would I ever stop?"
She chewed on the inside of her lip before responding.
"What if...I become ugly or sick?"
"Silly. I didn't marry you for your good looks or your health. I married you for your heart and soul."
"What if we can't have children?"
"I didn't marry you for children, either. I married you because you've got God as your King. Good enough?"
"Yes."
For Nanny with love, for many precious years
Of joining in laughter and drying up tears,
For prayer and encouragement, tender and true,
For the times of welcoming with "I love you."
A beautiful heart given beautiful hands
To pour out her love and fill up all demands.
Short in stature; a fearless warrior and bold;
Every life touch'd will miss her wisdom of gold.
Raindrops, falling. Like my tears. This is so like those sad scenes in the movies. Thunder rolls, trees bend and sway. Lightening dances across the ground up ahead. Chaotic and hazed, the air is full of foreign objects whirling around. I shudder as I watch the hail and debris tear through glass windows, shattering, like my heart.
This isn't sadness, it's insanity. My mind is in turmoil. I clench my fists and clench my jaw, hard. I want to reach above the storm with my screams of anger, fear, and hurt. I hold it back, knowing how useless it would be. I give up, and let it go.
Tiny child, by your parents torn apart,
I wish I could hold you in my arms; not my heart.
Unloved, unprotected, not held by loving hands;
Your demise is cheered on and upheld in this land.
Unloved, unwanted, torn and abused:
Cast aside for selfish pleasure, broken; confused.
They pursued their own lust and chased after their pleasure,
Not facing their sins but removing their treasure.
