Morning Friend,A dear friend of mine went to Heaven last week.To her I happily and respectfully wish "bon voyage et merci mon ami"! ( She was "one of THOSE" people who, despite the enormity of their OWN difficulties, still made praying for OTHERS, myself included, a priority.)To Ginette's friends and family, I offer this humble poem in honor of the tremendous courage she displayed, and inspired in others, throughout the "Autumn" of her life.And in answer to the question posed many times by those who witness the "suffering" of loved ones in their last days; "Why do bad things happen to good people?"....I say I am not a Priest, a philosopher or a religious scholar, but I am "Schooled in Miracles" ( since every day of my "new" life IS one), so I can tell you that IT IS NOT OUR PLACE TO DEFINE "SUFFERING" AS EXPERIENCED BY SOMEONE OF FAITH AS PROFOUND AS GINETTE'S.When someone's whole life is so intrinsically bound to the love and service of God, and their FAITH so deeply rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ, then the "CHALLENGE" afforded by several months or even years of physical pain and "suffering" is exactly that....a "challenge", a "task", a "pitfall", a "setback", a "delay", a "transitional period between earth and HEAVEN"!In my past work with the terminally ill, I have seen how a Shield of Spirituality is the most powerful analgesic known to man.The pain of disease is no match for the Valor of the Faithful, and the darkness of despair has no place near the glorious Light of the Hopeful.Fear, is not an option for the Fearless.Today my friend I pray for all of us; to dedicate the Good Lord's wisdom and strength in us to the comfort of OTHERS in our need, and to face ANY "challenge" which comes our way as courageously as Ginette faced her last.( "Save a spot for me at the Juice Bar 'ma soeur'....I'll still have your 'Jesus' around my neck!")love tImMy:/Seasons by Tim LawrenceWere I able to halt the passing of a dear life
I would surely, swiftly intervene
Yet I am helpless and frail
a feeble bystander
Respectfully sad and sereneCould I but turn back life’s tenacious clock
I would make it my devoted role
But I am mute and weak
a grieving furious witness
to the passing of a soulIf I could wish…it would be for eternal Summer
I’d cherish the warmth so pleasing
Fond memories most treasured
Glowing nostalgia reminds
of that most perfect seasonThis is the season of love and growth
Fences strong ‘neath the long summer sun
Children at play
Laughter rings strong
The essence of life in everyoneMight I be brave, might I be forgiving
and forgiven when Autumn comes my way
Preparing for God’s feast
midst loved ones and family
Night surrenders to an endless joyful dayThis is the season of our frailty
When flesh and spirit deem to part
Burdens uplifting
Rewards unfolding
Not an end but a glorious start
Had I the means to melt away the Winter
It would truly not be done for myself
grief must be sustained
till endured and conquered
Then put away upon memory’s shelfThis is the season of shared restful hope
To be consoled and to provide consolation
Carrying the torch
fulfilling dreams
Binding the ties of each generationIf I could describe the rapture of Spring
Like melting snow are pain and strife
I am reborn
The undying spirit of love
Provides a new and perfect life
This is the season of resurrection and glory
Spring rains upon seeds newly planted
Mystery’s revealed
Fears reconciled
God’s promise of ecstasy grantedIf I were to bestow a single message from my heart
to the grieving or those soon to grieve
Notice the Seasons
Their meaning
Is a beautiful reason to believeThese are the seasons of God’s blessed plan
and from them we find a pathway
Winter passes
Spring will emerge
As surely as night beckons day
My Love For You by Timothy Gerald Franklin Lawrence
is bigger
than a shoe
The End
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Look after yourself...without health
you are of no use to anyone.
If I owned this company,
would I hire someone like me?
THREE Angels!
Angela, Ash & Janelle
Ab's ( REALLY GOOD) Joke of the WEEK!
A great example of Flawless Male logic —
This is a conversation between a husband and his wife. Please note that she asks five or six questions which he answered quite simply; but, then she is speechless after answering only one question.
Woman: Do you drink beer?
Man: Yes.
Woman: How many beers a day?
Man: Usually about three.
Woman: How much do you pay per beer?
Man: $5.00 which includes a tip (this is where it gets scary!).
Woman: And how long have you been drinking?
Man: About 20 years, I suppose.
Woman: So a beer costs $5 and you have three beers a day which puts your spending each month at $450. In one year, that would be approximately $5400, correct?
Man: Sounds Correct.
Woman: If in 1 year you spend $5400, not accounting for inflation, over the past 20 years puts your spending at about $108,000, correct?
Man: Again, sounds about right.
Woman: Do you know that if you didn’t drink so much beer, that money could have been put in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 20 years, you could have now bought an airplane?
Man: Could be true. Do you drink beer?
Woman: No.
Man: Where is your airplane?
for Kenneth Mayo
Hope AND SWIM !
When I fall into an ocean, I know with certainty
That I am wet and startled will at once be plain to me
But will I sink or will I swim...to the depths or to the shore?
Perhaps a log will come drifting by, or a boat out on a tour?
I could hope as I was sinking, but I’d still drop to the floor
And hoping would I be, for logs and tour boats evermore
So I think I’ll set my sights on land and give my legs a kick
And stroke though I am weary, my decision will I stick
While Hope sustains the helpless whose outlook is often dim
Hope also fuels the Faithful, giving Strength to those who swim
So even if I falter against this fearsome tide of health
The shores of my fulfillment rise beneath me in my stealth
I’m hopeful for the strength and the courage not to give in
I thank the Lord for Faith and my resolve to hope AND swim!
My prayers and God’s Blessings be with you my friend!
Timothy Lawrence
Abraham Stainer Esq.
a.k.a. "Ab"
Tinker-Timmy & Friends
Jan'l. Angeela, Ash and Ab
Monday, March 9, 2009
"Seasons" for Ginette - 26
Life Stories
The end of life…is not!
It is the end of a Chapter in a Grand, Spiritual, Novel !
These chapters called “life”, are enriching, engrossing
narratives of one’s earthly adventures.
In them, are an abundance of supporting characters and
supplementary plot elements, often curiously overlapping
and mysteriously intertwining.
Their length and depth varies from person to person;
from protagonist to protagonist.
Some people who have “died” in chapters ended many years
ago, are still quite “alive” today!
Their SPIRIT; their influence, their charisma, their wisdom,
their character, their enthusiasm, their joy, their ESSENCE....
continues to fill the “life pages” of all they’ve touched.
Their frail and finite physical chapter is ended, but the richness
of their story flourishes, and enhances God’s Novel!
Like timeless passages, indelibly marked in our hearts and
memories, to be re-read and forever treasured….
their lives never truly “end”!
When through God’s Mercy, the earthly narrative of someone
we love, ends….their life does not!
And for that, we are truly blessed!
* Dedicated with gratitude and love to the enduring Spirit of all who transcend fear and inspire faith by truly living God’s gift of life to the fullest!! T.L.
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