HALIFAX

HALIFAX

I've come to the city of Halifax
For winter work and play
A change of pace never hurts
And though I cannot stay.....
I'm handy to the movies
I've more to do down here
Still, I miss the ocean view
And the ol' fishing pier.

I'm an outgoing people person
And so I hope to meet
Folks who love music and life
Who will smile and speak.....
I may get lost many times
But that's what maps are for
As I walk outside my home
I long to walk some more.

Shopping, movies, restaurants
A brand new job for awhile
A child who needs my attention
Who will make me smile...
It's different and it's lonesome
But who know what's ahead?
A challenge and a new place
To rest my weary head.

So it's hello to the city life
And good-bye to my Blue Haven
I ask God to watch my dog
Who, I'm proud to hears behavin'....
Life is short and should be lived
And so I start my journey
Wintering in Halifax
Living, loving, learning.

THE BOYS

"THE BOYS"

It happened in late October
On a cool southern night
'Twas just before Halloween
When the moon was shining bright;
We heard it on the TV
That a car had been stolen
A lie that echoed 'round the world
But we had no way of knowin'.

Their mama said a stranger
Had "stole my car and boys"
14 months and 3 years old
Holding just their toys;
Strapped into their seat belts
Together, in the back
Her description of the man
Was just that he was BLACK.

We watched, prayed and worried
Could think of nothing but
Michael and little Alex
It stuck right in our gut!
Kids went trick or treating
We stayed close by their side
In case another 'black' man
Took THEM for a ride.

For 9 long days the mama begged
For leads, calls, evidence
But we saw no tears from her
Her story didn't make sense;
Then the sherrif came on TV
This statement he did make:
Susan had confessed at last
She'd drowned her babies in the lake!

We wept for little Alex
Who was just a baby
We prayed that little Michael
Never knew the lady
That he loved as Mama
Left them there to die
We wondered if she bothered
To tell her sons good-bye.

We drove to the lake one afternoon
We hugged their daddy's neck
We watch their mother on the news
It makes us a nervous wreck;
"Mike & Alex...we thought you were lost
As we worried who'd done you wrong
Now we know and we can rest
You both were with Jesus all along!"

POLLY

I wrote this true piece on August 24th, 2003:

POLLY

This is an update on my dear friend Polly.....'

Yesterday on the telephone, she thought she'd really like to go out to lunch with me Sunday. This morning when I called her to confirm our plans, she was hardly able to speak.

An hour's drive later, I arrived at noon and tapped on her door; the place was so quiet for a beautiful Sunday. I passed many opened doors in which old, shrivelled ladies sat alone, staring into empty space or a television set, oblivious to me or anything else.

This is an assisted "living" home, spic & span clean, a place for the wealthy to expire.

Polly opened the door and she seemed to have shrunk a foot. Her back is now hunched over so much, it's hard to make eye contact with her. She never was very tall. She said she feels so weak! The strong medication she's on, has her drugged and acting like a zombie. Her sweet and humourous personality has completely disappeared. It broke my heart to see her this way; her blue eyes are one blank look. There's nothing in them anymore.

Her sharp mind has all but left her. She sits and stares into space, all the while fiddling slowly with the sharp crease in her navy blue slacks. Her crisp shirt is printed with cheerful flowers and tucked neatly in her too-large pants.

We ate in the dining room with approximately 25 other widows and two widowers. It was a very quiet, solumn lunch spent with me cutting up her food and helping her keep hers on her fork. We toasted each other to "the good old days" and she smiled her old smile for me. That's the only time that she did. We discussed her wonderful Sunday dinners when she'd charbroil our individual ribeye steaks, make home-made french fries and garlic Texas toast; her delicious coconut cream pies for dessert.

I thanked her for making all of my clothes back in 1961/1962 when I was a freshman in a Georgia High School. She said she loved doing it; she even remembered which was my favourite....a sleeveless straight sundress with small orange flowers over a white background. I can see her selecting the pattern and material........stitching away in the second bedroom .......

Back in her room, I showed her again how to use the remote control but who knows if she'll remember? When asked how she passes her time, besides the two to three trips to the dining room in her wheelchair, she said "I sit." She doesn't watch tv, listen to the radio, talk on the phone....nothing.

I knew better than to invite her to visit my home as her son (my ex-brother-in-law) monitors her life and would not approve.

When we were walking in the halls together, someone asked me if I was her daughter or daughter-in-law? I replied "Neither; we're just good friends." After she walked away from us, Polly said "We're better than related." That says it all for me.

She only asked me one question today: "Heather, how old am I?" When I replied "87" she looked shocked.

I'll miss her and I know I'll never see her again in this world. I couldn't tell her of my move back to Canada. I just couldn't; she might think I'm deserting her. I drove home in tears, unable to even listen to my radio for the hour drive through the country-side.

God, please watch over my good friend Polly and somehow let her feel my love and Yours; that's all I ask of You today.

Note: Polly died sometime later; I was never notified of her death and found out by accident. My cards and letters were returned so I was not too surprised. My love for her and hers for me, did not and never will die.

7TH INNING STRETCH

SEVENTH INNING STRETCH

Sometimes life throws a curveball
Sometimes it throws a strike
Sometimes one gets injured
Or ends up in a fight.

Sometimes we hit a home-run
Sometimes we get to walk
And then there's those times
We even get to balk.

Life is like a ballgame
Sometimes we just strike out
And Casey isn't always there
To straighten things about.

Never argue with the Ump
And just accept the call
Respect the other pitcher
Who controls the ball.

And in the 7th inning stretch
While you still have some hope
Go to bat for what 'you' want
Or you'll just have to cope.

Our lives are like nine innings
There's 'extra' ones sometimes
Learn to read the signals
And run between the lines.

Most of us are well into
That 7th inning stretch
When the ball is falling
Run like HELL and catch.

If you lose the game of ball
And the bases you can't run
Remember it's the stats that count
Just try to have some fun.

And when the 'Ump' calls you "OUT!"
And your life on earth is through
Will there be any doubt
Just who He's talking to?

So in the 7th inning stretch
Look around & evaluate
Error, strike, ball or walk?
You're up to bat....don't wait!

TODAY

TODAY

Yesterday you bruised my heart
And I cried myself to sleep
Yesterday you did me wrong
And it cut so deep;
Baby, listen up & listen well
To what I have to say
Be gentle with my feelings
I don't feel like crying...today.

I don't feel like sobbing
Into my pillow tonight
I don't feel like frowning
For everyone in sight;
You can smile and even laugh
With all your many pals
Play your music and guitar
For all the pretty gals.

I have looked at your photo
And I have said a prayer
That you will see beyond
My bosum and my hair;
'Cuz I don't feel like talking
To someone who can't stay
Keep walking, 'cuz you see
I don't feel like crying...today.

I don't feel like crying....today.

IN MEMORY OF DADDY....

In loving memory of Daddy, who died Oct. 29th, 1996 at the age of 92 1/2...........my Hero!!

DAD


Thank you for the spankings, Dad
They taught me some respect
And thanks for the pep talks
That caused me to reflect:
Why be a "Follower"
When a "Leader's" more correct?
And thanks for never letting me
Lose my self-respect.

I appreciate your guidance
Taking me to Church
Correcting my posture
Even when it hurt;
When I did not wet my bed
You bought me a fur muff
Threatned me with bodily harm
When I took a puff.

I appreciate your anger now
And looking back at us
I have to stop and smile
I'm sorry for the fuss;
I must have been a brat
Yet your love saw me through
Eleven years have gone, Dad
But not my love for YOU.

THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

Hi, God and Jesus Christ
It's only me again
Just another divorcee
With the usual sins;
Tomorrow's our Thanksgiving
And I just want to say
How much I appreciate
That very special day.

It's not about the turkey
Or the pumpkin pie
It's not about a football game
Nor is it about me and I;
Sometimes when I am
Just eating all alone
I bow my head to pray
And hear you say "stay strong."

Thanks for the sweet music
And ears to hear it with
And thanks for the Autumn leaves
And eyes...oh, what a gift;
Thanks for the taste of food
And for the touch of Love
And most of all, precious God
For your blessings from above.

So today I give many thanks
For the simple things
The sunshine or the fog
Not for jewells and rings;
I thank you for my kids
For many dear friends
And thank you for myself
From beginning to the end.

You know how I love Camo
And how I love You both
Thank you for my home here
And my friends down South;
Thanks for health and humour
For each breath I take
And I'll talk to You later
'Cuz I've a pie to bake!