March 12, 2016 MEMORIES

                                       
                                       MEMORIES

Silently, I sat by my bedroom window
As I watched the beautiful sunset unfold
Its blend of orange, white and yellowish glow
Scattered streaks of color on clouds that rolled
Only Divine Hands can really paint
Such artistry unequalled by any saint.

My heart swelled with joy and thanksgiving
For the wonders God in abundance has given me
The breath of life and awareness of receiving
His manifold blessings in Mother Nature's sea.

Deep in my heart I have known, Oh, fully well
That I have enjoyed through all these wondrous years
The lion's share of God's mercy won't fit in a shell
Too many to mention - much more than my peers.

Born to a family closely knit with love
Woven by a mother's devotion sky-high
Accepted and cared for by siblings who rubbed
The ambition to achieve not just to get by.

I can still hear my mother's sweet advice
"Stay close to our Lord and our Blessed Mother
You will be properly directed by Christ
Focus on education and no other."

Thus stirred by a passion to explore the unknown
Went to night school though seven months on the way
Through higher education, I soared to the dome
Achieved a career money couldn't buy not even today.

My parents' burning desire for us not to falter
To have a college education for us all
A brood of eight to feed, to clothe and to shelter
Through times of deprivation, they still stood tall.

With grateful hearts, I know we kids remember
The enormous sacrifice our parents did
And now with God's help we affirm to render
The same hard work and lasting love to our seed.

"In sickness and in health till death do us part"
Papa and I proclaimed our matrimonial vows
Day before Christmas 1955 clearly marked
Our voyage began, a family to start.

A husband who pampered me in so many ways
I found myself undeserving of such praise
Though at times his concern put me in a maze
My mind could not fathom nor unravel his pace.

But through the four decades of marital tales
The "ups" far outweighed the heartaches that came
We continued our course promised not to fail
The test of time, bond of love, we vowed to tame.

Dewdrops from heaven blossomed in our midst
Bobby, Marissa, Noel and Cielo galore
They all tightened the knot, helped deepen the love
Made family life merrier, secure ever more.

Each one is a shining jewel in the family
Always a cause for joy and pride I can share
With friends and relations, to all, so easily
Strength of character and faith few can compare.

So it isn't surprising for you to know
Our Lord gave each a loving, kind, sincere mate,
Carla, Barney, Valerie and Brian saw
A partner complements life at any rate.

Seven tiny feathers from the wings of love
Dropped on the welcoming lap of parenthood
Like royalty each child came as a white dove
Fragile in form but strong to always be good.

Diana, Joshua, Christina, Michael, too
Christian, Tiffany Anne and Melanie, too
Loud "ohs" greeted them when they came
To the excitement about them, they still coo!

I used to tease our friends and relations
Papa and I were of an "endangered" kind
For in this tech age such is a flitting notion
Nowadays, to part ways, many won't even mind.