Kailynn Josephine Ong's first Birthday Poem

When my children were growing up, I attempted to write poems for them occasionally- at birthdays, at graduations, at special occasions. They were sporadically written- not very eloquent- but they held my love for them. Now I have a granddaughter....and I hope I have more grandchildren to follow...I want to make it a tradition that I write each of them a poem on their birthdays.

 So now it begins, with Baby Kailynn turning ONE!!! WOW! Where did the time go??

One day, God decided to make

A special little girl

He tossed in some red hair

Added a little curl

God mixed together some laughter

Gave her a cute little nose,

Adorable fingers and

Adorably, sweet toes

God sprinkled smiles on her

Dusting her with love

He wrapped her tightly

Delivering her from above

God gave her a special mom and dad

They hugged her oh so tight

They rocked her to sleep

Each and every night

God, thank you for baby, Kailynn

Now, this is what I pray

Keep your eyes on her

Every single day

Marching forward

The clock keeps ticking...the seasons keep changing...life keeps going on. Sadness comes wafting past, brushing my shoulder, I keep going forward. Uncertainty threatens to trip me up and yet my feet continue to march onward.

Hurdles stand, one by one, in an attempt to slow me down. Death, sickness, grief, burdens, and troubles loom ahead. I approach them with a steady stride. One leg thrust forward, I am able to leap over each hurdle. If not over, I can always squeeze under or if worse comes to worse I will just push the hurdle down. Nothing must stop me from marching forward.

It is not how I started this race, but how I will finish it which counts. Lord, I want to lay aside every encumbrance which would so easily keep me from finishing the course. I run not for myself, but for You. I leap, not with my own strength, but with Your strength! I will finish this race because You are the author and the finisher of my faith. I will march onward.

Memoirs

My favorite books are biographies or autobiographies. There is much to learn by reading of another person's life. I am often challenged to do more after I finish reading a book about someone's accomplishments. I'm sometimes reminded to be careful of my failings, when I read of someone's failings. Whether good or bad, I am able to learn something.

Yesterday, Millie Redding handed me the manuscript of her memoirs. It will be published soon and she wanted me to read over it in case there might be any suggestions. With appointments looming ahead of me, I figured I would not get to the manuscript for days. 

In the evening, my final appointment was rescheduled and I sat back in my chair feeling the excitement of having two extra hours free. My eye caught sight of the manuscript and I knew what I would be doing for the next couple hours. The words on the pages transported me to countries around the world. 

This was a story which inspired me to want to do more. It was a story which encouraged me to never give up. It was a magnificent story.

I wish more people would record their life's journey.

Snores and more

Snores drift across the room and I feel at peace. My world is back to 'normal' or as normal as it can get. Hubby is nestled in his side of the bed and I sit here getting ready to head to my side of the bed.

Both my sisters are gone. My friend from Japan and her husband and daughter and son are gone. The house is unusually quiet...except for the snores. 

The calendar in front of me taunts me with its little boxes.  Each date calls out, "We are filling up fast with all sorts of appointments and schedules and things to do" 
"Hurry, carve out some time or else there will be none left for you" "August and October will be here before you know it and both your darling daughters will be married"
I simply sigh. My foot bumps the box at my feet. I will not open it tonight. It is stuffed full of the 'nitty gritty' things I have pushed aside while my sisters were here. I will attend to those things tomorrow, in between all the scribbled appointments on my calendar.  It is too much to think of tonight.


For now I will listen to the snores and mumbled what dear Scarlett said. "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."

Earthquakes and Snow

The week started off with the news of the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones. When things like this happen, we are reminded once again how little control we have over nature. Machines signal the possibility of an earthquake, but we never know how bad the devastation will be until the quake is upon us. We are left at the mercy of the elements.

As if to remind us of how little control we have over the weather and other natural phenomenon: it snowed in Seattle. It snows here, but to have it snow at the end of February is a bit unusual. The snow fluttered down innocently at first. Before anyone had time to blink, the snow plummeted down forming snow blankets across the streets and lawns.  Cars spun out of their lanes. Chimneys huffed and puffed vigorously. Everyone attempts to 'control' the outcome of the heavy snow fall.

No matter how much everyone would like to be in charge, they must admit there are things in life beyond their control. They must accept their frailty.

Sisters

The quote, "A sister by birth, a friend by choice" seems to fit well with my sisters. Although we don't live near each other, I feel like anytime we talk or get together we are truly friends. There is such a big age difference between us; however, we still are able to relate on many levels. 

My eldest sister, Debbie, will arrive tonight. I want everything to be special for her. I want to pamper her. She who always seems to be responsible for everyone else. She who was almost like a 'second mom' to me when I was growing up. I want to make things fun for her when she is here. Every time I think of scheduling a 'fun' activity, it just seems to defeat the very idea of 'having fun' because shouldn't fun be spontaneous and just happen? I guess I can set things up in the direction of fun and then see where it goes from there.

A few days later, my sister Pam will arrive. If Deb is the rock which never moves or can be moved, Pam is the volcano which could erupt at any moment. Life spewing out on all sides. Hot passion and spontaneous action flowing in many directions. With Pam, there will be no need to 'plan' fun; it will just happen. 

I'm the youngest of the three. Although creeping up on 50, I suspect they still think of me as their 'baby sister.' I guess they will always be my elder sisters and I will always be the youngest. There is no way of changing the order of things no matter how old I get. Anyhow, it doesn't really matter how old we have become or who is older, what matters is that we love each other. We laugh, we fight, we cry, but above all we love! Yes, indeed, sisters by birth, but definitely friends by choice.

My baby is engaged.

My darling Cassandra and Josh

My youngest Princess just got engaged! Dearest Cassandra left the house this morning to go to the zoo. Who knew she would end up with a gorgeous ring on her finger. Josh had come to us several weeks ago to ask for our blessing and we gave it to him, but we were not sure when he was going to surprise her with the proposal. 

Daniel said he felt something different when he awoke this morning. He felt like today might be the day. Fathers know these things.

I cried when I heard the news. Mothers cry when they hear these things. Tears of joy mixed with tears of 'is this really happening to my baby?' and of course there were lots of smiles swirled in with all the tears.