Buster's List

My Mother has a list
Of things she wants to do
But she doesn't know
That I have one too!

I've already gone camping
And swimming in a lake
I attended a birthday party
And drooled over the chocolate cake.

I flew in an airplane
Rode on a four-wheeler with my dad
I went to see Santa Claus
With antlers on my head.

And now I've been to Mardi Gras
I can cross it off my list
The smell of all that delicious food
Put me into a state of bliss!

Empty House

Thanks to everyone who submitted a title for this poem. I decided to go with "Empty House." My son, Brett, suggested this and I think it fits the poem perfectly.

This poem is untitled right now. I would appreciate ideas for a name if anyone has one. The poem came to me at night when I was trying to go to sleep. I got up right away and wrote down my ideas.

The day before Joe and I decorated our neighbor's mailbox. He came by to say "thank you" and to bring us a wooden reindeer he had in his attic. Most of the poem came from our conversation that day.

People say time will heal,
but I only feel despair.
I’m so terribly lonely.
I walk around without a care.

People really mean well.
They tell me to get a pet,
but they don’t really understand
how empty a house can get.

The Christmas season has come
but I won’t be celebrating this year.
I’m just not in the Christmas spirit.
I can’t find a bit of cheer.

We were married for such a long time.
You were my friend and lover.
When you passed away,
I felt my life was over.

I wake at night to my empty bed.
wishing you were here.
I cry myself back to sleep.
I miss you so much, my dear.

Lord, I apologize for being so weak.
I pray that I can become strong.
But so much as changed in my life
I ask myself, "what else can go wrong?"

How long will this continue?
When will I begin to feel relief?
God please send me an angel
to help me with my grief.

I pray for guidance with my future.
I need someone to show me the way
to find happiness and strength
to begin another day.

Triple Scoop Moment

Recently Nancy, who is my sorority sister, a close friend, and a distant cousin, told me the story, "Triple Scoop Moment." The story tells of a father that is picking up his daughter from day school. Much to his dismay when he arrives to pick up his daughter, he sees a bully grab her ice cream cone and throw it to the ground. Of course, by the time he gets to her, she is in tears. He tells her, "Don't worry, I'm taking you out for a triple scoop ice cream cone."

Nancy went on to say that this is how God makes up for all of our trials and tribulations that we face. When we least expect it we're given a "Triple Scoop Moment" that makes us forget the bad things that have happened. Nancy referred to our recent Chi Omega reunion as a "Triple Scoop Moment."

Some days it appears
From the moment you arise
That everything goes wrong
Right before your very eyes.

You might be out of coffee
There's no gas in the car
You're late for work
And your money doesn't go far.

And then there's the saying
That trouble comes in three
Including illness, death, and accidents
Bringing you down to your knees.

You pray to the Lord
Saying I can't take anymore
Please give me the strength
To face what is in store.

And sometimes it appears
That God is not there.
Your prayers go unanswered
And it doesn't seem fair.

But He was listening
And thinking of what He could do
He knew a "Triple Scoop Moment"
Was due just for you!

Waiting For My Friend

Waiting patiently with anticipation
to see your face, your smile.
It uplifts my soul
with a warm cozy feeling.
The conversation flows with such ease.
What is this?
Are we soul mates? Friends?
No, just long-time friends.
who have shared so much.
Birth, death, marriage, accidents, congratulations,
moments of despair.
You have been my anchor,
someone always to depend on
How lucky am I
to have such a true friend.

Reunion Time

Excitement is brewing
The reunion is here
The time has come
To see friends, so dear.

To Gulf Shores we've come
From all over the place
To see our sisters
Up close, face to face.

Not everyone understands
What this one weekend does
For our spirits and souls
It's a lifesaver for us.

We can all be ourselves
No one puts on airs
We love and we laugh
And eat without care.

At night when it's time
We don our dancing shoes
And dance to the oldies
"Night Owl" and the blues.

We talk and we walk
Practice yoga on the beach
Socialize with everyone
That's within an arm's reach.

We wake up early
And stay up late
Savoring each and every moment
For this reunion date.

We learn from each other
About things that are new
A diet, a book
Or a new tea to brew.

We cry and console
Listen with care
Offer support when needed
Sometimes ending in prayer.

We leave fulfilled
Relaxed and content
With a tear in our eye
For the good times we've spent.

This one long weekend
Is like a touch of heaven to all
We've become closer friends
While we're having a ball.

2008, Here I Come

It appears I left a few things off my resolution list so I have resorted to prose.

The new year has come
and I need to get to work.
I will think before speaking
and avoid being a jerk!

I will go to bed earlier
and get up before Joe.
Then I can sneak in some computer time
and he won’t even know.

Exercise will become a way of life.
I’ll give ole George a wiggle.
have my morning cup of Yoga
and walk with a new found wiggle.

Limit my wine consumption
to only a glass or two.
Avoid chocolate, sugar, and ice cream.
That’s what I will do!

I need to limit my casino time
but "Cold Turkey" is not the way
I'm thinking once a month
should be enough time to play.

So I’m giving up all my vices.
What is there left to do?
Live, love, and laugh
and write my silly poems for you.

Communicate with family and friends
give to the poor
attend church regularly
and read my Bible more.

Boy, my list is getting long.
I have so much to do.
Can I keep up with all of this
before each day is through?

I think I’ll need to get some help
some guidance from above
encouragement from my family and friends
and everyone I love.

New Year's Resolutions

As the new year approaches, I'm thinking of how I can improve myself in 2008. I will turn 58 this year, and I have learned a few things during my lifetime.

1. One thing that I have learned is sugar is not good for me, especially the first thing in the morning. So, I will limit my consumption of sugar. This is a difficult thing to do since I am a chocoholic and I love ice cream.

2. I've also learned that I cannot stop eating chocolate once I have started. So what should this tell me. Stay away! I will do my best.

3. THINK BEFORE I SPEAK!!! Words can hurt and sometimes I speak before I think. Since I am brutally honest, this is definitely something I need to work on.

4. Continue to try and lose weight. I lost 10 pounds in 2007, and I plan on losing 10 more in 2008.

5. Talk to my friends and family more often.

6. Attend church regularly and become more involved in St. Michael's, the Episcopal Church we attend in Mandeville.

7. As one of my poems said, "I want to be Santa Claus all year long." I will definitely take advantage of all opportunities to give to others that are not as fortunate as I am.

8. And last, but not least, I will continue writing my poetry. It makes me happy, and I'm hoping that it brings a smile to the reader's faces every once in a while.