POEMS & SUCH 
POEMS & SUCH




 
   THE STARFISH
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up and the tide is going out.And if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one." I ASKED FOR For.... I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve. I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brain to work. I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome. I asked for patience God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait. I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help. I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities. I received nothing I wanted. I received everything I needed. MY PRAYER HAS BEEN ANSWERED. CROSSROADS Sometimes we come to life's crossroads and View what we think is the end, But God has a much wider vision and He knows it's only a bend -- The road will go on and get smoother, and After we've stopped for a rest, The path that lies hidden beyond us is Often the part that is best. So rest and relax and grow stronger Let go and let God share your load, And have faith in a brighter tomorrow You've just come to a bend in the road. Author Unknown QUIPS WORTH THINKING ABOUT Money doesn't bring you happiness, but it enables you to look for it in more places. Your conscience may not keep you from doing wrong, but it sure keeps you from enjoying it. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places. Misers aren't much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors. Be careful what rut you choose. You may be in it the rest of your life. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket. When you see the handwriting on the wall, you can bet you're in a public restroom. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming. The real reason you can't take it with you is that it goes before you do. Junk is something you throw away three weeks before you need it. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. A closed mouth gathers no feet. A man (or woman) who can smile when things go wrong has found someone to blame it on. A modern pioneer is a woman who can get through a rainy Saturday with a television on the blink. The world is full of willing people: some willing to work and some willing to let them. Money isn't everything.... there's credit cards, money orders, and travelers checks. Some people are like blisters. They don't show up until the work is done. A true friend is one that lets his grass grow as tall as his neighbor's. A baby-sitter is a teenager acting like an adult while the adults are out acting like teenagers. If you don't know where you're going, you're never lost. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn, not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you." The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, He held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the very best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see The problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
(Dedicated to all the special people I love) DOES IT MATTER My father asked: Son are you gay? I asked: Does it matter? He said: No not really I said: Yes, I am He responded: Out of my life I guess it did matter. My Boss asked: Are you gay? I asked: Does it matter? He said: No not really I said: Yes I am He responded: You're fired I guess it did matter. My friend asked: Are you gay? I asked: Does it matter? He said: No, not really I said: Yes. He responded: Dont call me your friend I guess it did matter My partner asked: Do you love me? I asked: Does it matter? He said: Yes it does I said: Yes I do He responded: Let me hug you For the first time in my life, something mattered. God asked: Do you love yourself? I asked: Does it matter? He said: Yes it does. I said: How can I love myself if I'm gay? He responded: That's how I created you Ever since, nothing mattered again.
TO EACH HIS OWN
I cannot change the way I am, I never really try, God made me different and unique, I never ask him why. If I appear peculiar, There's nothing I can do, You must accept me as I am, As I've accepted you. God made a casting of each life, Then threw the old away, Each child is different from the rest, Unlike as night from day. So often we will criticize, The things that others do, But, do you know, they do not think, The same as me and you. So God in all his wisdom, Who knows us all by name, He didn't want us to be bored, That's why we're not the same.
LETTER FROM HEAVEN
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say. But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you. It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on. I need you here badly, you're part of my plan. There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man." God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight; God and I are closest to you..in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years, Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain. Remember, there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er, I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; But together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too; That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain; Then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain." And now I am contented that my life was worthwhile. Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile. So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low; Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go from that body to be free, Remember you're not going you're coming here to me.
I said a prayer for you today And know God must have heard I felt an answer in my heart Although He spoke no word. I didn't ask for wealth or fame I knew you wouldn't mind I asked Him to send treasures Of a far more lasting kind. I asked that He'd be near you At the start of each new day To grant you health and blessings And friends to share your way. I asked for happiness for you In all things great and small But it was for His Loving Care I prayed the most of all. KEEP PLAYING
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." At that moment the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. And the audience was mesmerized. The lesson: Whatever our situation in life and history-however outrageous, however desperate, whatever dry spell of the spirit, whatever dark night of the soul-God is whispering deep within our beings, "Don't quit. Keep playing. You are not alone. Together we will transform your small efforts into a masterwork of My creative art. Together, we will mesmerize the world."
Author unknown
THE POEM I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees. My christian duty was now done My soul could rest at ease. All day long I had no time To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends, They'd laugh at me I'd fear. No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry, No time to give to souls in need But at last the time the time to die. I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life. God looked into his book and said "Your name I cannot find. I once was going to write it down... But never found the time"

A COWBOY'S GUIDE TO A HAPPY LIFE
Never kick a fresh cow chip on a hot day. There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works. Don't worry about bitin' off more than you can chew. Your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think. If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around. Never ask a man the size of his spread. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut. If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop diggin'. Never smack a man who's chewin' tobacco. It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. Always drink upstream from the herd. Never drop your gun to hug a grizzly. If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there. When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson. When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back. Always take a good look at what you're about to eat. It's not so important to know what it is, but it's critical to know what it was. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS Our friends are like angels, Who brighten our days. In all kinds of wonderful, Magical ways. Their thoughtfulness comes, As a gift from above. And we feel we're surrounded, By warm, caring love. Like upside-down rainbows, Their smiles bring the sun. And they fill ho-hum moments, With laughter and fun. Friends are like angels, Without any wings. Blessing our lives, With the most precious things. There's something in a simple hug That always warms the heart; It welcomes us back home And makes it easier to part. A hug's a way to share the joy And sad times we go through, Or just a way for friends to say They like you 'cause you're you. Hugs are meant for anyone For whom we really care, From your grandma to your neighbor, Or a cuddly teddy bear. A hug is an amazing thing - It's just the perfect way To show the love we're feeling But can't find the words to say. It's funny how a little hug Makes everyone feel good; In every place and language, It's always understood. And hugs don't need new equipment, Special batteries or parts - Just open up your arms And open up your hearts.
If I could catch a rainbow I would do it just for you And share with you its beauty On the days you're feeling blue. If I could build a mountain You could call your very own A place to find serenity A place to be alone. If I could take your troubles I would toss them in the sea. But all these things I'm finding Are impossible for me. I cannot build a mountain Or catch a rainbow fair. But let me be what I know best A friend that's always there.

ABOUT LOVE
1. It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel. 2. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. 3. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find out you still care for that person. 4. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go. 5. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us. 6. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had. 7. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives. 8. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back. Don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their heart, but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. 9. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person whom you would like to hear from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from his heart. 10. Never say good-bye if you still want to try, never give up if you still feel you can go on, never say you don't love a person anymore if you can't let go. 11. Love comes to those who still hope although they've been disappointed, to those who still believe although they've been betrayed, need to love those who still love although they've been hurt before. 12. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone. 13. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth, in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. 14. There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real. 15. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to all the things you want to do. 16. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy and enough money to buy me gifts. 17. Always put yourself in other's shoes. If you feel it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too. 18. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless. 19. The beginning of love is to let those we love be just themselves, and not twist them with our own image, otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. 20. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. 21. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. 22. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. 23. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. 24. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
MATT's FAN CLUB JOKES (PG13) GENEALOGY NORTH BELTON CEMETERY MUSIC FOR BROWSING KID STUFF AWARDS MORE GREAT LINKS WEBRINGS SCOTT FAMILY TREE

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