Heartstrings

Heartstrings stretched from inside out
play a tune of perfected joy.
The musician stands and turns about
although full grown he's just a boy.

Some heartstrings worn and some are new
but all are alive and all are in tune.
This boy at heart, into man he grew
gives all of his heartstrings to you.

Hopes, and dreams, and prayers all meet
and life's musician writes his tune.
The boy and girl in love should meet
and four times their love creates anew.

The boy is a father, the girl a mother
and together their love is perfected joy.
Sing me a daughter, sing me another
four daughters later, they're now bringing home boys.

What a wonderful mother,
what a wonderful wife.
She's been the guardian of my hearstrings.
She's my source of love, laughter and life.

Nicole

Nicole, 18 today.

T'was only yesterday, I cradled you in my arms.

Baby's breath, God's touch upon my face.

Eyes closed, I pray you'll never know harm.

Joy's tears, God's love upon my face.

You run and laugh, your innocence divine.

You hold my hand, so very much that means to me.

You scrape your knee, the heartache is all mine.

You look at me, and love is all I see.

Your first sister, so gentle when you touch.

I place her in your lap, you smile and hold her close.

God is here. God is love.

Don't forget I love you

Does the good offset the bad?
Does the joy offset the pain?
Would you give up what you've had?
Do you wish you could start again?

They say that even after the darkest night the sun still rises.
How dark is our night? Is it our darkest?

They say God won't give you a cross heavier than you can bear.
How heavy is this cross? Is it our heaviest?

Don't forget who you are, and how much you mean to me.
Don't forget I love you.

Don't forget you are my wife, my friend, my lover and my joy.
Don't forget I love you.

Don't forget you are a mother, which is a sacrifice and a blessing…you have known both.
Don't forget I love you.

Don't forget you are a success. As a wife, as a mother, as a lover, as a friend…as a source of strength and joy.
Don't forget I love you.

Don't forget I share your pain, I cry your tears and I stand by your side…always and in all things.
Don't forget I love you.

Don't forget I will always be there for you, even though I can't always be there with you.
Don't forget I love.

Don't forget to smile with pride, cry tears of joy and to keep building memories.
Don't forget I love you.

Don't forget you mean more to me than you will ever know, and more than I could ever show.
Don't forget I love you.

Please, don't ever forget I love you.

What is a successful father?

To a Successful Father with love.

What goes into making a father?
And when does the making begin?
Is it simply the birth of a child?
Or when love is shared from within?

Is it just a biological link?
Or is it more the desire to love?
Is it a physical state of our being?
Or is it a spiritual gift from above?

The answers are ours to choose.
The proof is in how we live.
Some fathers are better than others.
The difference lies in the love that they give.

Look back at the life you have lived.
Examine the seeds you have sewn.
How much of yourself did you give?
How have your children grown?

Are you a success or a failure?
Are your children your friends or your foes?
There are many who feel worthy to judge you,
but you are the only one who truly knows.

Take heart in the life you are living,
and in the lives that your children now lead.
Take heart in your life of self-giving,
and in the children who now live your creed.