Standing With You

 In battles lost and battles won,

 I reflect beneath the stars, 

 Which show my size in truth, 

 My place amidst the galaxies, 

 While shining through the darkness, 

  They show the beauty of life. 

 This is a new chapter, 

 With more experience in your soul, 

 More hearts beneath your wings, 

  Riding on the spirit winds,

 Within this song of life, 

 Which shatters any storm. 

 For no star within the night, 

  Is ever truly alone, 

 Within an ocean of diamonds, 

 Reflecting our infinite souls, 

 As within indomitable love, 

 Hope will never be lost. 

 These words are one language, 

 With a universe of thought, 

  While music is a universe, 

 With all languages in one, 

 A sharing between souls, 

 Of what cannot be spoken. 

 Battles can be won,

 And they are seldom repeated, 

 Yet when the seldom happens, 

 There are more hearts by your side, 

 Souls brave in their faith, 

 Stand as one in God's pure love. 

 Never fear or doubt, 

 And never lose your smile, 

 Your heart rides fourth in music, 

 Residing in  all of ours, 

 Our strength returns to you, 

 Indomitable in love. 

Tomorrow Unto Yesterday

This is about death which should not be feared, as it is a part of life.  With cancer a person loses the desire to eat or drink, can often clearly recall people from long ago, and can have sudden bursts of energy with the desire to take care of things.  This is tomorrow combining with yesterday.

Many people have commented on news reports of the passing of David Bowie with touching personal accounts as they find reasons to keep fighting for each day, and keep fighting for each other, in the name of love.  Many cite David's efforts to record his final album in spite of his condition to give a parting gift to his fans around the world, while he kept doing the thing that defined him.  All of this is about love which is also timeless.  If love is timeless, and the defining truth of life, then death is truly an illusion.

 Hunger is but a passing thought,
Thirst visits me no more,
I hear life's song from the street,
Through my open door.

Memories flood my living soul,
Of what people once did say,
From faces long before these thoughts,
Who were from another day.

So much to do was never done,
And yet there is so much more,
Yet all I can foresee to do,
Has all been done before.

Then strength does fill me fresh anew,
As strength did fill me when,
There was so much more of life to do,
That I may rise again.

Yet love's sunrise will never set,
As God's heart shines on to me,
For Life's love song does never rest,
It is sung eternally.

Grains of Light

When darkness falls,

The stars shine through,

Illuminating the night,

With diamond beauty.

Where rain storms come,

Rearranging the land,

Every blade of grass,

Bears jewels of light.

Dark clouds bring shadows,

Painting somber shading,

Before shards of light,

Shine Heaven’s joy.

As tears of pain,

Cleanse the eyes of illusion,

Restoring heart’s vision,

Unto the traveling soul.

While cold winds come,

Bringing chill to the body,

Causing arms to seek,

A warm heart’s glow.

Life brings us trials,

Taking health and peace,

Causing us to seek,

The Most Healing Hand.

Love’s meaning brings,

Life’s limitless power,

From faith as small,

As a grain of sand.

Stripped Away

When things strip away,

Vision becomes clear,

Time becomes precious,

As we see life in truth,

With all who are near.

I do wonder why,

When people do suffer,

Why it must be,

Where it will go,

And when will be me.

For pain does exist,

All things have a purpose,

And pain joins our souls,

As we each reach out,

In the bond of love.

Circumstance fades,

And differences cease,

And all of our souls,

No matter where,

Become all that is real.

As we see life in truth,

With our borrowed breath,

Within physical illusion,

Of an energy image,

Perspective we test.

We are the gift,

We give to each other,

Each passing moment,

Another chance,

Another treasure.

Take joy in all pain,

Take joy in all pleasure,

Make joy being together,

For this is the magic,

That flows in life’s song.

Never Give Up

There are reasons I should have never made it to today, yet hear I am writing and blessed by my family.  I wrote this to inspire others, as Olivia Newton-John inspires from her experience, to never give up fighting for life no matter what they see or experience.  Some of our songs are longer, and some are shorter in ways we can not control.  Yet one life saved can translate into 16 grandchildren who would have never existed otherwise.  Though our individual songs are of different lengths and rhythms, our collective song is forever and continues to inspire through the heart.  Please support the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center at http://www.oliviaappeal.com/.    

They told me I was dead,

I think they were right,

With less time to live,

No hope they could give,

They did what they could,

Told me what they should,

And I should give up the fight.

I could not face the truth,

With family to live for,

And too many goodbyes,

I had to live as though alive,

All I could do was try,

Trading tears for fears,

Awaiting the next sunrise.

Prayer was not my routine,

I found myself talking,

Asking God to listen,

Reading all I could do,

Eating things anew,

Following the doctor,

I followed my will to live.

For my passion did thrive,

Fueled by loved ones near,

The times we shared dear,

Treating each day a gift,

And life as a true blessing,

I refused to loose my smile,

Through each day of testing.

For miracles do happen,

Yet we must choose to see,

At first with our hearts,

Until we do with our eyes,

For other eyes to see,

Gaining faith in our fight,

That they may never give up.

The Lady

I hope the one who inspired this can find strength in it.  I hope others facing the same can find meaning.  - Eric

She was there,

At a garage sale,

Sitting with family,

Speaking with a smile,

Full of life and joy,

Sharing her feelings,

Inspiring a laugh,

Enjoying the warmth,

Of family and sunshine,

And where I met her,

Pure happenstance,

Her terminal cancer,

Pure circumstance,

She would not allow it,

To take away her focus,

From the music of life,

Surrounding us all,

And as I see sunsets,
Each of different color,

I remember the lady,

And the truth within her,

We are here for a day,

And life is a gift,

But love is forever.