Just As Their First Day Barefoot walking hand in hand in that tall grass Blonde hair blowing in the breeze Light bounces off her eyes when she sees him. Nothing like a first date with your forever. Sitting across the table two years later, How could this not be a dream? A pretty little diamond, and his band of gold With a little bundle on the way Building dreams and building bridges over the heartaches, Walking hand in hand just as their first day together Growing a family and a home filled with laughter #life's a long wild ride, better spent with your best friend Now She looks just like her mama did with locks of silver, With smiling wrinkles, He looks back on the #life they built Thanks the Lord for a good #life and a beautiful wife Before He takes his last breath, holds her hand just as their first day together

A Soldiers Gift Snowflakes fall on the tongue, Fires crackling with tales of old. 'twas the night before Christmas, As he sat in his chair, he gazed afar. The windows were covered in frost, The twinkling lights glistened bright. Memories came back to bring an old soul comfort Of a love once lost but not forgotten. although heaven be far, it felt close that night. His eyes smiled back at me as they glistened. His hands of leather grasped my small hand, As to take me back in time to that day.. A young woman came back to him that evening, And he began his tale of the night it all changed. Arrived home from overseas, battling fears of WW2. One way ticket took him straight on the train southbound. 'twas December , families hustling and bustling, Getting the last minute treasures for loved ones. He had just stepped off, when she collided into him. A lass with Locks of blonde and cobalt blue eyes. She stammered, felt like a clumsy fool.. leaving him speechless, yet all he could do was smile. the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, Would change his #life forever. He spoke of the love that grew, and the chase for her. A memory came, Time passed to one Christmas eve- He found her in the nightly glow, gazing above. Her hair to her waist, she couldn't be more beautiful. The young soldier with his heart beating aloud, knelt down and promising a love of a #lifetime. Tears of joy fell as they kissed under bright sky, They vowed to never leave each other. As this Christmas drew near, her words remain true. The Lord drew her closer to heaven 9 months ago, Leaving a family of 5 and her closest companion. But tonight she felt closer than ever.. His heart filled with the warmth of her love, As loving memories filled the brisk night. Keeping him company as he watched their family. She was his Christmas gift, the best the Lord had ever given him. Dedicated to my late great grandpa Oral, a man who dearly loved his wife. She was his most precious gift.

For The First Time I awoke, My heart weighed down. Cold stare at the ceiling, Stillness filled my limbs. How did I come this far? How could I be so stupid? The thoughts fill my head, With Doubts of my own integrity. I have used my own energy, I have wasted all my resources... Laid wide awake most nights, Hid behind my "know it all" mask. Maybe it started with the hurt? No ...before that... Perhaps the relationship with them? No ....not that either... It began with that little lie... Yes that's where it began... I fooled myself with that lil lie, "It's only once, it's harmless"... Look where that got me! Now I'm lying here Desperate for someone to rescue me, Desperate for my own redemption... Lord, I know you hate sin... But you love the sinner... You gave your Son for me Knowing all I'd do and say. You say you have a better plan, Better than my past, or what I think. Your a healer, I know this But I need you right now... Perform an open heart surgery Heal all the pain that Has been made... Not only that others have brought in, But the own pain I have caused to myself. You give your forgiveness freely, But I can't seem to forgive others, And most of all ....myself... Let me love myself the way you love me... I then closed my eyes... And for the first time.. I felt God so near..and pain came in... It came in the form of tears, Releasing the burden from my soul And for the first time... I felt like everything is going to be alright. Thank you Lord for always believing in me.-L

Above The Tide As the tides roll towards me My feet may fail- my body beaten My heart may grow weary But I know that in your name All strength is renewed I will keep my eyes above the waters, Off of my storm and on you I may not see, but I have faith your hands are at work, For You work behind the scenes for me, Fulfilling the needs, before I could even see the need. Spirit, lead me when my soul grows faint Take me deeper than the oceans To make my faith grow taller then the mountains. Let your will be done for my #life, While I wait, and ill let my soul be still, and let you reign. "be still...and know that I am God."

Waking Up Angry Woke up on the wrong side, just waking up angry, Feels the edge every room he makes an entry. She's watches him stir on the inside, She feels his every frustration while standing beside. Her mouth closes and shows love only by action, His ears hear this silence and sees the reaction. She still walks away to give him space, But he came runnin' , needin to see her face. He sweeps her up in his arms, tellin her he's a fool, He knew she was the very best, a jewel. He knew that he has finally found the one, Cause lovin her is nothing but fun. She curled in bed with him, as the day ends, Holds her close as they lay, with intertwined hands. Whispers to her how lost he'd be without her, Without her, his whole #life would be worser. She knows it's true, cause she feels the same, He's her rock, #life without him would just be insane. dusk draws near, they see that they both are one, For their lives together have only just begun.