The Bridge of Love - For Kathy

Kathy lives in the midwest and works for the same company I do.  She recently succomed to a brain hemmorage and is fighting back to recovery.  I wrote this to use my abilities of writing to help her where I can.  If you would like to see her story, or help her family bear the financial burden of her recovery, please visit the site listed here:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathysmith143/journal

How could it happen,

When I am young?

How could it happen,

What have I done?

I was at home,

Doing what I do,

Then I was out,

Nothing more I knew,

Then as if dreaming,

I heard voices,

Some were toward me,

Others making choices,

I could hear my family,

I knew they were there,

They were reaching to me,

I could feel the care,

And friends beyond the circle,

With voices still unheard,

Raising hope in prayers,

God hearing every word,

My eyes began to open,

And through a blur to me,

Some familiar faces,

I began to see,

I could not lift a finger,

I could not say a word,

Yet what I wanted most,

Was them to know I heard,

As they were reaching in,

I was reaching out,

Their strength from the heart,

Became my proof and clout,

Knowing I would make it,

Moving more each day,

Smiling to my husband,

To hear what he would say,

Forcing every movement,

Taking every step,

Fighting back to freedom,

Back to the life I left,

Unto the day I can speak,

And I can walk again,

Sharing my new joy,

Of life and love again,

For all the friends and family,

And our God above,

Whom rescued me from darkness,

Across the bridge of love.

UPDATED -- Rosemary Harrison Losing Home to Cancer - Foreclosure News in San Diego California

UPDATE - Jan 3, 2012

---As there was a lack of other solutions, Rosemary Harrison is now temporarly renting a single room.  The quality of the room does reflect the meager monthly housing funds she has available to herself.  The cost of this temporary solution to my understanding was the loss of nearly all of her possessions left after the estate sale which resulted from the bank taking her house.  She has her clothes, her dog Aussie, and we are still by her side looking for a permanent solution---

I am writing this concerning a new friend we have quickly grown close to whom is in need of help.  She in her 60’s, alone, and facing foreclosure.  This happened not because of spending or getting into an adjustable mortgage.  This happened because of love.

This lady is Rosemary Harrison (https://www.facebook.com/rosemary.harrison3#!/rosyglow2001), whom immigrated from England over 40 years ago with her husband Ivan Harrison (http://coronadoplayhouse.com/wait-until-dark/castbios/harrison-ivan.html) .  He restored antiques like no one could in Nottingham and San Diego (http://www.yelp.com/biz/ivan-harrison-refinishing-antiques-rstrtn-and-frntre-el-cajon) , and they had all they needed in life.  Ivan had a love for racing and was involved in local NASCAR races for over 20 years (http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/26367-biggers-wins-race-and-title-at-cajon-speedway.html) .  Through this, they gave their love to the community in the form of benefiting foster children whom could never otherwise enjoy such a thrill.  They raised money, worked tirelessly, and helped the community all through his racing career. 

Their next love was the theater.  Ivan performed on stage in England through the 1960’s  (http://www.alvinlee.de/pre_tya.htm)  , and took the stage once again at the Coronado Theater.  They both became very involved in production and used this as a venue for giving back to a community that gave them a wonderful life in California for so many years.  Ivan pursued this until illness caught up with him in the form of cancer.

This led to the greatest expression of love that I know.  Rosemary devoted the next few years to caring for her husband, and being by his side as his health declined.  Medical expenses grew, and money became short.  Through her heart and her tenacious English attitude, she made the bold decision to refinance her home for the medical funds needed to save her beloved husband’s life.  Ivan hung on to life beside his wife until the illness won, and he passed away nearly two years ago.

The loss of Rosemary’s husband led to the loss of their business known as Aussie Gold, which involved the sales of a revolutionary orchid growth fertilizer that he developed.  After the business went down, Rosemary lost the last thing that she had.  Her home.  She has been given notice to leave by January 1, 2012.

My wife and I are trying to organize some form of benefit to help her.  All she needs is a place for herself and her pets, not a mansion.  She has looked at mobile homes which would be a good option.  Yet her retirement minus living expenses leaves about $600 per month for housing.

The best thing in the world would be if someone in the real estate world could donate a small property or a mobile home in a park with an inexpensive lot rent.  This would give some real estate office wonderful community PR, and a VERY healthy tax write off for the end of 2011.  I am sure when we put this together that some people will donate some cash, but that may help with some moving expenses.  She herself said that she feels bad about receiving such help while there are already others on the street.  I told her that once she is taken care of, she will have time and means to reach out to others.  This we would do by her side.

I will be using my newly published book to help raise funds and awareness.  I need advice or direction from you in the way of helping to find some real estate office that could make the full or partial donation of a home.  She would of course benefit but it does not stop there.  Anyone who hears of this or participates will receive the full and powerful message that we can make a difference in the life of others.

This matter is very serious, I want to be sure things happen properly for everyone involved, but time is definatley running out.

Please contact me if you are able to help, or have any ideas on how we can help together.  If I can come up with an event and date, I will put time and details here.

Denver's Song

I can see him walking in the starlight by the lake,

I can see him looking at the sky,

I can feel him using his gift for all our sake,

He never seemed to stop and wonder why.

I can hear him in a song upon the stage,

I can see him standing with a smile,

I can see him flying just as far as it will take,

For reaching people made it all worthwhile.

Standing tall upon his mountain,

He stood tall for all of us,

He touched our hearts with his gift of song,

In the darkest hours I can hear his voice ignite my faith,

Its through the heart that we may all be strong.

You can hear him in the wilderness,

You can feel our spirits ride the wind,

You can hear his joy in the laughter of the birds,

You can feel the power of hope begin.

You can feel his passion rising to the test,

You can feel his heart on human needs,

You can see him search inside to find his best,

You can feel his power through his belief.

Standing tall upon his mountain,

He stood tall for all of us,

He touched our hearts with his gift of song,

In the darkest hours I can hear his voice ignite my faith,

Its through the heart that we may all be strong.

Within his songs we can stand together as one world,

Within his songs you feel the love of life,

Within his music you can feel the joy of love unfurl,

Within his music peace defeats all strife.

Within your soul he looks to see the gifts that you can give,

Within your soul he finds the answers there,

Within my soul I know that there is answers I can share,

Within my soul I see because he cared.

Standing tall upon his mountain,

He stood tall for all of us,

He touched our hearts with his gift of song,

In the darkest hours I can hear his voice ignite my faith,

Its through the heart that we may all be strong.

Voices

Voices

The transference of light,

Occurs in beautiful ways,

From the stars to the Earth,

Through words to the heart,

And from the heart unto souls,

Coming from the only source,

Shining through each of us,

For light must be directed,

To penetrate the darkness,

It may be reflected from us,

And magnified by our wills,

So that sharp and focused,

It can do the greatest good,

Doing good through our words,

Blessing others through actions,

No matter how small they seem,

As many people walk through life,

Without tasting of its true beauty,

For just a smile given freely,

May change a traveler to his country,

Inspiring him to do what is right,

Reaching many lives on his own soil,

In such diverse and unknowable ways,

Lives can be changed on their paths,

Courses become altered to destinies,

Simply because of free will,

When we use our words and actions,

To shine light to another soul,

And through that light we lift another,

Holding him up in times of pain,

Caring her through times of sorrow,

And we keep that light shining strong,

Until that soul can stand once again,

Shining light to many others,

Because through our words,

And through our actions,

We use our voices.

Garden - For Lynnette

Garden

By Eric Visconti

We are together,

Tending to the flowers,

Feeling the breeze,

In the glow of the sunset.

We are together,

Tilling the soil,

Trimming the branches,

Tending the growth.

We are here,

Joining in life,

Sharing in words,

Showing our hearts.

We are here,

Joined by laugher,

One in our pain,

Growing in love.

He is with us,

Bringing the sunrise,

Bringing the rain,

Bringing us peace.

He is with us,

Drying our eyes,

Sharing his laughter,

Leading in song.

We can hear,

The music of life,

The song of the wind,

The rhythm of the heart.

We can hear,

The voices of the soul,

The songbird of love,

Never to part.

Forever - For families who have had the life of a child taken from them

Forever   

For Cara, Christin, Chelsea, Amber, and many more...

By Eric Visconti

I remember in my garden,

The first showing of green,

The first shoots extending,

In an effort to reach the sun,

Through my effort and hers,

Tending to the soil,

As she put forth leaves,

I watered the earth,

As she extended her arms,

I could see her face,

Before she even showed it,

I could see her eyes,

Before they ever opened,

But then on that day,

She revealed her budding,

She gave it her focus,

Until it came into bloom,

Color to be adored,

Perfuming the air around her,

The flowers in the garden,

Grew stronger in her presence,

Adding their own voices,

To the sweet song of life,

Displaying all of their colors,

As she led them in her faith,

For each and every morning,

The would open their pedals,

Each and every morning,

The flowers opened to greet her,

As I would open my door,

To the garden that is mine,

Then I came down the steps,

In my usual manner,

I came down the steps,

And she was on her side,

A branch had fallen down,

And the rose was torn asunder,

The branch had taken away,

The rose that was mine,

But I began to see the flowers,

In the sunrises that followed,

I saw the flowers looking,

To the place where she once stood,

And then I saw the truth,

Of what the flowers were seeing,

For seeing through the heart,

My rose was still there,

And within my heart,

I placed my arms around her,

And she was overjoyed,

To feel me once again,

For the truth of life endures,

And love is forever,

Our souls will never part,

For forever never ends.

Denver's Song - For John Denver

This was written inspired by John Denver standing with his friend Kenny Loggins at the 1995 Windstar Symposium to make a difference in all of our lives

Denver’s Song

By Eric Visconti

I can see him walking in the starlight by the lake,

I can see him looking at the sky,

I can feel him using his gift for all our sake,

He never seemed to stop and wonder why.

I can hear him in a song upon the stage,

I can see him standing with a smile,

I can see him flying just as far as it will take,

For reaching people made it all worthwhile.

Standing tall upon his mountain,

He stood tall for all of us,

He touched our hearts with his gift of song,

In the darkest hours I can hear his voice ignite my faith,

Its through the heart that we may all be strong.

You can hear him in the wilderness,

You can feel our spirits ride the wind,

You can hear his joy in the laughter of the birds,

You can feel the power of hope begin.

You can feel his passion rising to the test,

You can feel his heart on human needs,

You can see him search inside to find his best,

You can feel his power through his belief.

Standing tall upon his mountain,

He stood tall for all of us,

He touched our hearts with his gift of song,

In the darkest hours I can hear his voice ignite my faith,

Its through the heart that we may all be strong.

Within his songs we can stand together as one world,

Within his songs you feel the love of life,

Within his music you can feel the joy of love unfurl,

Within his music peace defeats all strife.

Within your soul he looks to see the gifts that you can give,

Within your soul he finds the answers there,

Within my soul I know that there is answers I can share,

Within my soul I see because he cared.

Standing tall upon his mountain,

He stood tall for all of us,

He touched our hearts with his gift of song,

In the darkest hours I can hear his voice ignite my faith,

Its through the heart that we may all be strong.