Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Today is the one year anniversary of the passing of a beautiful and talented actress I loved watching on TV as a child.  I wrote this a year ago when I heard the news. 

Alice doesn't live here anymore;
When I heard the news, I stumbled to the door.
If you aren't my age, you may not understand;
The memories I have of her feisty upper-hand.
...

She may have been a maid but she was royalty to me;
She made the Brady Bunch one of my favorite memories.
Ann B. Davis, rest in peace, dear one;
Enjoy the streets of Heaven...I know you're having fun.

You were more than Alice, I know you had other parts;
But my childhood was spent watching you from afar.
Hearing about your accident shook me to the core;
I know you're up above...Alice doesn't live here anymore!

 

Meeting Partway 

 

I'm sorry, Son, it isn't fair to meet you in this way;

I hope you know I love you and we'll meet again someday.

I thought about you often as I fought on the streets of war;

I wondered if we'd ever meet, if I would see you born.

Please take care of your mother for in the days ahead;

She'll need you more than ever so be there in my stead.

You won't understand her tears for many years to come.

Just know I love you and I'm proud that you're my son.

Try to understand when Grandma holds you extra close;

And tell Grandpa I was proud of him the most.

Go now to the future and from above I'll stand my guard;

Tell mama that I love her and I'm sorry that it's hard.

 

Daddy, I will miss you and I hate to see you go;

I'm already missing the good times we'll never know.

I know we haven't had a chance to be father and son.

But Daddy I'm so proud of you and when this life is done.

We'll sit and talk together and look on the films of life;

Taking long walks; having long talks, having the gift of time.

I promise to do my best to comfort Mommy's pain;

I'll have your hair and your eyes and your dimpled chin.

I'll give Grandma an extra hug and remind her of a smaller you;

And when I'm a little bigger Grandpa will take me fishing, too.

I'm going to miss you, Daddy, but I promise to be strong;

I'll take care of Mama, Grandma and Grandpa.

Pro Bono

“I’m sorry to bother you but I need some legal advice.”
“You’ve come to the right place,” said the young attorney. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, the thing is, and I want to be honest about it up front, I don’t have any money.”
The lawyer looked surprised. The Man was resplendent in what must surely be pure gold as He shined brightly every time He moved.

“I see. Well, the first visit is free, so come on in.”

He directed the Man into his office. “Please take a seat.”

As the Man sat, the lawyer’s memory pricked. He just knew he had seen the Man somewhere before but couldn’t quite place Him. “Tell me your story.”

“I need someone to represent Me in court.”
“Are You being sued?”

“Sort of. Actually, I’m being told by many of My supporters that I’ve lost my rights. I’d like to have them back, please.” “
"What rights have You lost, Sir?”

“I’ve lost the right to be Me.”

At the puzzled lawyer’s expression, the Man continued.

“A long time ago, I decided what I wanted most out of life was a family. So I created one. My firstborn was Adam. He was lonely and when I introduced him to the lovely Eve they were very happy for a while. She made a mistake. I admit it angered Me at the time but I forgave them. That’s what family does, right? But they were on their own for a little while. Still, when they turned to Me, I was there. Then My family got larger. Generations upon generations of family…you know, young man, you’re part of My family tree also.” “

You’re…God, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I don’t understand, God. You can do anything. Why would You need an attorney?”

“Because of mankind’s free will. No one wants to be loved because he or she has to be. We all want to be accepted for who we are, even Me. But now people are complaining about how I’m sticking my nose into their business. I’m not, you know. I’m just a concerned Father but I don’t make their decisions for them. I just ask that they stop making Mine for Me and for anyone who agrees with me.”

God looked at the young lawyer with tears in His eyes.

“You see, child, I gave my beloved Son to the world so that they would know how much I love them. I’m worshipped in many ways and in many religions. But the religion named after my Son has been denigrated and stripped of their rights to celebrate Me except in the privacy of their homes and their churches, thereby denying Me of My rights as well. Now they’re being told it’s wrong to celebrate my Son’s birthday!”

God took a breath.

“I don’t want to take away the free will of anyone and I won’t. But if I told you how many times those same people call upon Me in the dark of the night…how many times they curse Me yet still turn to Me when in need…you’d be surprised. I’ve been blamed for a great many things in the world, child, the latest of which are tsunamis and attacks on countries. I cry when people ask ‘Where was God?’ because I’ve been here all along waiting to be let in.”

He paused.

The attorney said, “I’ll take your case, God.”

“I have no money.”

“You don’t need it. I’ll do it pro bono. You paid for everything two thousand years ago on the cross. It’s the very least I can do.”

The papers announced it within a week. God was fighting for His rights. Which side are you on? I’m on His. In the long run, God always wins.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

Is it true?  Is he here?  Or is this just a dream?

I stand and stare as he sleeps there...could it really be?

 

A year ago I didn't know if my prayers would come true;

Thanksgiving Day, yet far away, a son in danger, too.

 

So many times I truly cried, would he make it home again?

I stayed awake, what would it take for this nightmare to end?

 

I touch the face brought home by grace of a child that's been to war;

As he opens his eyes I realize I love him even more.

With a sheepish grin (Mom's caught again), standing over her first-born son;
He says "Yes, Mom, I'm really home.  Are the turkey and stuffing done?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weeping Caroline



 

 

 

Weeping Caroline

 

Fifty years ago, you turned to find him gone;

Somehow in her grief, your mother carried on.

She raised you and your brother with a lot of love and care;

With such a family legacy, the load was hard to bear.

 

For Camelot has faltered, there's been pain along the way;

First a sibling stillborn, then little Patrick Bouvier.

Then only three months later your father bid adieu;

He never meant to hurt or abandon you.

 

You still had little John John and your mother held you close;

Off to Uncle Bobby in sanctuary you did go.

Then suddenly (how could it be?) but yes, it's truly so;

Bobby was assassinated...to Greece you had to go.

 

A reprieve seemed apparent as you grew to womanhood;

Weeping Caroline was replaced with one who's values stood.

You held firm to your beliefs and had a life along the way;

Then tragedy's sudden reminder--your mother passed away.

 

We saw you there beside your brother...a lady of style and class;

Who would have dared to whisper Death again would show it's mask.

The Prince of Camelot...how we loved to see him reign;

Yet again, we all wept, when tragedy struck his plane.

 

Weeping Caroline, we pray the tragedies are done;

It's time for only goodness for your daughters and your son.

We know the Royal Family of Camelot looks on;

To guide you in your destiny as in you they live on.

 

The Quiet Prayers of War

Oh, God, help us through this day,

I can't believe it's not a dream;

Just months ago I was on my way,

To a party with Miss Bobbie Lee.

Now here I am in Vietnam,

What is all the shouting for?

Help us through and I'll write to her -

The quiet prayers of wars.

 

Oh, God, look, how sad to see

A New York tower hit by a plane;

A tragic accident on the news

Oh my God! It's happening again!

What?! The Pentagon is hit they say  

And in Pennsylvania another plane makes four;  

Civilian heroes fought to take it over
 

The quiet prayers of wars.

 

Lord, see the face in this picture frame?

 

My oldest child is just nineteen.

He has too much life ahead,

He has yet to live his dreams.

There is no wife, no college degree,

Film school is what he joined up for.

Watch over him and keep him safe -

The quiet prayers of wars.

What if Jesus Called You?

 

 

What if Jesus called you?

Would you answer the phone?

Or would you let it ring,

Pretending you're not home?

What if Jesus text you?

Would you answer on your cell?

His words are from the Bible,

The truth it surely tells.

What if Jesus sent you

A Facebook friend request?

Would you just ignore it

Then blame the internet?

What if Jesus told you

Forgiveness would not be yours?

Would you have to agree

Knowing you'd withheld it before?

Jesus doesn't use a phone

He doesn't use the internet;

He isn't going to Facebook you

A text will not be sent.

Forgiveness is yours,

He paid your debt long ago:

You might want to think about it

Would you want Him to say no?