Life Lines: 911

A Story

Everybody has a story.
Not everyone will be interested in that story, but that doesn't mean it isn't interesting. Writing has always been therapeutic for me, (along with a nightly hot bath!). The paper and pen cannot refuse my words, they can't reject the thoughts I impose on them. Nor will they judge for content, or grade for accuracy. It is safe. There are so many times when it is necessary to be safe while being "real", and recording the "real" on paper validates the experiences. We were created to be relational beings, who desire to be known, and valued, and thereby, validated. So, I extend the invitation to "Life Lines", with the sincerest hope you'll share a sense of camaraderie, be entertained,and best of all, be inspired because...everybody has a story! <3

Saturday, September 11, 2010

911

Today we were shaken.
Indeed it's tremors were felt the world over.
Fear, doubt, uncertainty;
certainty, sorrow, anger, gripping souls.

Until now it had only peeked through our windows,
stuck it's toe in our waters,
called us names then ran to hide:

but now, now it has injected us with poison,
severed a tendon,
stolen what had been purchased with our blood.

It's in our face:
we hear, smell, taste, and perceive
so much more accurately than yesterday.

Darkness has boldly flashed it's naked truth,
blazed into the "apple" of our eye,
pierced our American heart
and boggled our mind.

The alarm has been sounded,
We are alert.

The epitome of human depravity
embraced and crowned;
horrific, unfathomable, unconscionable, despicable,
shocking, surreal;
yet, only a matter of time, almost expected.

Evil reigns.
There's not a way to comprehend such consuming evil.
It's reign is temporary.

Righteousness alone prevails, as time will surely reveal,
this time no exception.

Today we were shaken,
our knees were buckled,
by the grace of God we stand,
still.

P.J.

1 comment:

RhondaSeptember 12, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Well said PJ. You should see my blog post and photos of yesterday's tribute here in Arizona. Just posting it I cried again.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

It's all in a day

If I could squeeze it in my schedule I'd let out a scream,
Just to keep myself from bursting open at the seams!

If I could find the time I'd pull out a glob of hair,
which would really only serve as an excuse for some to stare!

Give me just a minute please and I'll be right with you,
I have a whole list of things that I have to do.

Someone get the door while I get the telephone,
or better yet lets pretend like no-one is at home!

In just about an hour it will be bed time,
I can finally get some rest, all will be fine!

One last check to be sure that all is in place,
smile at content and peace on every sleeping face,

flip the night light, lock the door, slide into my bed,
with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head!

P.J.

Self, ishness or lessness

Christmas/New Year

Christmas is over, the new year begun,
persistantly receeding into history,
snowy white garland and soft lights
still illuminate the tree,

glittering icycles drip melancholy memories
just past, yet already so far away.
All through the house it's evidence remains
though the calendar proves it cannot stay.

Plastic storage bins will soon contain Christmas
as January flaunts it's youth,
resolute we look ahead to opportunity,
positively step toward the new.

Each moment has been lovely, proven on paper
and films of frozen faces and festive events.
We did it, we were there, we will remember
and recall how much it all meant

reluctant to bid farewell to another year lived
thankful for what has been, anticipating what will be.
Christmas is over, the new year begun
persistently receeding into history
pj

Patty who?

Do you sometimes feel like a number, a drop in an endless sea, invisible? Or like Anne Morrow Lindburgh so eloquently states in her book, Gift from the Sea, "a collection of functions"? Everybody does from time to time, It's impossible in our hectic world not to! The very things meant to bring us satisfaction and joy and ease, so easily become a burden, one more task, or obligation that we feel responsible to fulfill, as we give ourselves away bit by bit. We must meet the needs of husband, children, parents, employers. Our possessions demand our time and attention, mowing the lawn, washing the car, cleaning the house (why do I have all those "dust collectors?"). Laundry, meals, schedules, no wonder it all runs together becoming impossible to appreciate, while we suffer intense feelings of insignificance, and worst of all, we often do it to ourselves!
Step back, take a deep breath, and consider this. He who is the designer of all, finds me (you) so important that He knows each and every hair on my (your) head, even how many! Stop here, really think about that! (Matthew 10: 30).. He thinks so lovingly toward me (you) that He has my (your) name engraved (like a tatoo, permanent, a nail scar) on the palm of His hand! Again, think about that! (Isaiah 49: 16).. His compassion toward me (you) is so intense that He catches each of my (your) tears in His bottle, and has record of them in His book! Grasp the very thought of that! (Psalm 56: 8).. So the next time life kicks dirt in your eyes, or tosses you onto the rocks, when it seems like no one cares, is paying attention, or is interested, don't believe it! We each are of immeasureable value, God says so!

Digits

Hello,

I am #7-9t73uh gvlkjbp8934798574209ybtvUYT98347,
you may call me "Digits" for short, if you like. Be careful, I can be easily lost or erased. If even one of my digits is mixed up or left out I will no longer be me, as each of my individual components are unique to me alone. My designer has painstakingly compiled this particular combination of skills, and characteristics for me, so that I may achieve certain tasks that none of the other designs will be required to meet. Therefore, please be advised that I may become agitated when outside interference occurs, thus prohibiting my progress toward accomplishing my pre-programmed tasks.

Warning signs may be, but are not limited to:

1) Overheating (recognizable by redness near the top front)

2)Temporary equipment shutdown or failure (look for tightening around the word forming orifice, this is actually not a bad thing as it does help prevent orifice overflow!)

3) Low power (usually indicated by dark circular patterns, and or puffy vision orbs)

4) Non-responsiveness (may be temporarily corrected with chocolate, keeping in mind it is a temporary solution, and more chocolate will likely need to be administered)

5) Rattling, shaking, or flailing appendages (never a good sign, walk away slowly, check for "normal" functions later, possibly much later!)

As always, refer to the owners manual for complete instructions, and remember that although my particular model may occasionally "short circuit", I will remain serviceable as long as reasonable, regular care, and maintenance is performed

Limited Lifetime Warranty: (not to worry, after the limited lifetime warranty expires, the eternal guarantee will kick into effect!)

At your service, enjoy.
Sincerely, Digits

The Heart

At the heart of everyone
is the root of who we are,
the most fragile of all other
body parts by far.

The core of all emoting
thirsting always for life,
filled with cautious hope
in what is good, and right.

Tenderly we nurture
our hungry soul,
each moving forward
toward a common goal.

If I let you see mine
will you cradle it with care?
Delve in it's deepest depths,
if you dare!

Together we are twice
what alone we would be,
the heart of you,
plus the heart of me.

Making up a match
is the Master's art,
for only He can
truly know the heart.

P.J.

A Matter of Perpective

Quite often things don't work
exacty how I'd planned,
they're out of my control,
simply out of my hands.

I intend to spend my time
in a certain way,
from morning into evening
I've mapped out my day.

Just one thing that goes awry
can alter everything,
we never really know
what each new day will bring.

If I let it, it will win,
spin my head around,
ruin all my plans,
and turn my smile upside down!

Steal my peace and joy,
fill me up with stress,
make me aggravated,
put me under great duress!

But, if I'm smart I'll see it
as the chance that it could be
to take advantage of something else
that might be better for me!

If that one thing had not gone wrong
I might not have seen,
some of the wonderful moments
this life has offered me!

P.J.