This is Life - For Brent and Melody Weinhandl

Dr. Weinhandl treating a patient from his wheelchair

One day I learned of an incredible story of a woman married to a paralyzed man.   He became paralyzed in an accident where he saved her life.  As faith and love are inextricable from each other, both could be strongly seen as he did not hesitate for a second in acting on her behalf.  Faith has brought answers to them each day as he strives to recover, and they still work together in the dental practice which they own.  In their trust of God and each other, they live an example that love overcomes any obstacle.  They live the knowledge that from love comes power, and from God comes love.  That is why I wrote.

           

Read their story here

I saw your face...
Your smile and charm,
Took my heart from harm,
As I felt your first embrace.

You held my hand,
And the stars did swirl,
As we entered the world,
As one to make a stand.

I never knew such strength in you I'd find,
Enough to leave my pain and fear behind,
Nothing else I have known could suffice,
For this is life.

You are my all...
For on that day,
You pushed me away,
When that structure did fall.

My love and light...
You paid the price,
And made the sacrifice,
Which has saved my life.

I never knew such strength in you I'd find,
Enough to leave my pain and fear behind,
Nothing else I have known could suffice,
For this is life.

A steadfast strength...
All through the years,
With my joys and fears,
You have loved me all the same.

When all seemed lost...
You did lift me up,
And you filled my cup,
To know life is worth the cost!

I never knew such strength in you I'd find,
Enough to leave my pain and fear behind,
Nothing else I have known could suffice,
For this is life.

The Shepherd and The Lamb - For Matt and Meagan

I dedicated this to and wrote this for our friends Matt and Meagan.  This is for anyone who has ever lost a child.  My prayer is, and I know Matt would pray the same, that anyone reading this would be comforted by the truth.  Though that child can not be held here on Earth, the child is always felt in our hearts because he or she lives on in Heaven.  If we are all in God's heart and bound by His love, then we can never truly be separated.   Not even death can overcome the power of love.

A wandering son,

Of a traveling man,

Who learned how to love,

In the warmth of God’s hand,

Who would show,

The strength he would know.

He met his true love,

And the light of his life,

She’s the fire in his soul,

Who would be his wife,

Never to part,

Seeing true from the heart.

Wandering the hills,

Over the Earth,

Finding our way,

From the moment of birth,

Never far from His hand,

Like the Shepherd and the Lamb.

The force of their love,

Strong from the start,

Filled up their home,

Bringing new hearts,

With sparkle in her eyes,

She carried Malachi.

One boy in his arms,

His wife by his side,

Blessed by the Lord,

Heart filled with pride,

A light to us all,

What could make him fall?

Wandering the hills,

Over the Earth,

Finding our way,

From the moment of birth,

Never far from His hand,

Like the Shepherd and the Lamb.

A sad day did come,

One heart went away,

In silence and pain,

No words he could say,

He kept his stand,

In faith he held their hands.

Yet God gave his word,

No lamb would be lost,

In love for his flock,

He paid the great cost,

He said, “Don’t fear.”

“Your little one is here.”

“His soul wandered here,

I reached out my hand,

Don’t grieve or fear,

You’re safe in my plan,

Never to roam,

My heart is your home.”

“With love as our bond,

There is no goodbye,

Together forever,

Is the reason why,

I am,

I am your Shepherd,

You’re my lamb.”

The Voyage - In Memory of Peggy Arnold

With a smile and with

wisdom, with words and with hand,

she spoke love of life and people, 
lifting all of our hearts.

Upon this voyage,
we touched many lands.
Upon this ship,
We sailed many storms.
For as life provides,
the stars will guide.
Not placed by man,
But by the steadiest hand.
Any joy was multiplied,
By our many souls.
Any burden was lightened.
By our many hands.
Though the ship sails on,
your soul is imparted,
upon the hearts of us,
within the halls we walk.
We now journey on,
as we chart our courses,
seeing separate ways.
May the breeze carry you,
as you carry on by day.
May the gulls beside you,
provide life's continued song.
May the stars cover you,
as you lay down to rest.
And may hearts welcome you,
upon distant shores.

A Wicker Chair in Munich

This is the outdoor dining area where the poem came to mind at the Sheraton Hotel in Munich.

 On July 21st there was a frightening incident on a Lufthansa flight from Munich to Los Angeles where a passenger suffered a heart attack.  The pilot and crew made an emergency landing in Ontario and likely saved his life.  Many people had difficulties missing their connections, but Lufthansa went out of their way to make everyone comfortable.  In the course of that day we met a wonderful family over and over.  This poem was inspired by the course of events and conversation.  May everyone who reads this, including perhaps that passenger, know that good things can come of the most difficult situations when hearts of faith do what they can do.

The way of things is strange,

As the circumstance of sorrow,

Can lead to blessings multiplied,

When fate is turned around,

By the willing hearts of faith.

For faces we did see,

In a sea of nameless faces,

Waiting for new arrangements,

Because a heart attack changed a flight,

And an airline saved a life.

In airports around the world,

A family did meet ours,

Time and time again,

And our girls were first to talk,

As we soon all became friends.

Then at dinner we met again,

And we spoke the song of life,

To bring magic back to hearts,

By making time just for each other.

As a spark may cause a fire,

So this night would then change lives,

All is possible if you do it,

And perhaps we changed the world,

From a wicker chair in Munich.

A World of Color - For "All Across Africa"

On a recent trip to Costco my wife and I found a display of hand made crafts from women in Africa sponsored by All Across Africa which does this so that these women can provide their families better lives.  I was inspired by the words of Deana, the representative there.  I was inspired by seeing the artist's face on a tag for each creation.  When I sat down at my computer, I wrote this.

From across the world,

and within the wild,

their voices cry out,

their colors come forth.

In a land of life,

behold the living,

where within the night,

all eyes see clearly.

Within the day,

they daily carry,

the burdens of family,

with the strength of heart.

In their simple villages,

walking roads of dirt,

their hands speak forth,

the love of the heart.

Their hearts speak true,

through designs worn,

and the crafts they make,

for colors speak words.

Against the blues,

they speak of potential,

the blue sky is limitless,

and so is life.

With patterns of red,

they speak of passion,

of pains and joys,

beyond mere words.

Weaving beads and threads,

these ladies weave complex,

for complex are the patterns,

that life does unfold.

For the women of Africa,

do show like no others,

the world which we live,

is a world of color.

Living

Yesterday I went to buy gas on the way to work and saw flowers by the road, yet again.  Thinking about several who have lost loved ones recently, this came to my heart while looking at one of their Facebook posts.

Matter is only energy,

and yet we stand.

Energy is information,

and yet we learn.

Space has no boundaries,

and yet we explore.

Time has no witness,

and yet we age.

Reality can’t be touched,

and yet we feel.

Illusion is never confirmed,

and yet we believe.

We stand all together,

and yet so alone.

Faith is never fruitless,

and yet we doubt.

We know all so much,

yet not what its about.

Our hearts beat together,

then love we give.

God will never forsake us,

and so we live.

Filing Flavor and Feeling

I just left Tia after picking up some records in a file room for our medical care organization.  We spoke of food, feeling, and faith as I quickly told her that I am a writer.  She challenged me to write about the file room where she worked.  This came together in less than 10 minutes.

Light covered isles,

Fill the large room,

Rows of racks,

Papers and stacks,

Caretakers caring,

A ryhthem in tune.

The ladies in filing,

Sort details of lives,

Care given for health,

With knowledge wealth,

Working with smiles,

Together they thrive.

 

From different cultures,

We spoke of tastes,

Feelings of life,

A life with flavors,

Speaking faith with heart,

Not leaving in haste.

 

Our lives are connected,

On paper together,

With light upon faces,

Our smiles leave soul traces,

Imparting in part,

As souls join forever.