As the Light Fades

Gaze into the sun

and see it's shine

thoughts of Heaven

and God so divine

As day becomes night

and the stars shine bright

remember the love

that comes from the light

Saying goodbye

and letting them go

much harder than any

can possibly know.

Why do some lights dim?

while still in their prime,

why do loved ones leave?

before it's their time.

Hold the love so near

as it must remain

living inside us

we'll forever retain.

For as Love lives on,

memories as well

the tears will subside

our stories to tell

Smile for what once was

say goodbye aloud

but celebrate lives

and make them most proud.

I lost my Mom a year ago today, and this is something that has been on mind a lot lately. Loved ones are never truly gone, because my Mom exists to me as much today as she ever did. I just didn't get a chance to say so long until we meet again.

Today marks one year...

I lost my Mom a year ago today. I spent part of the day with my dad, and a lot of time on the road. The thing is, when I drive, I think. Today, I thought a lot about Mom. I remembered a lot of the great things that we did. I remebered some of the dumb things that I crossed her on, but mostly...I remembered her smile, and I remembered her laugh.

Her's was a light that did not shine nearly long enough, but as it glowed it was bright indeed.

Mom, I miss you, and I'll love you always.

Freedom

As we look upon the sunset which will signal the night,

let us remember that there is no commodity which we hold dear more precious than freedom. Our freedom in this land 232 years ago was limited.

It was limited in the sense that a great Kingdom across a vast ocean chose our path for us.

We as a people were treated much like children, and decided no more.

Our founding fathers on this day signed a document stating NO MORE.

As a nation we have evolved. We have evolved because freedom is precious to all.

In the 1860's our nation battled against itself for the cause of freedom.

The freedom which all men should enjoy.

The battle scarred our nation but in time, we healed.

In 1920 our country finally enacted women's suffrage.

Women had the freedom to help to choose the leaders of our nation.

This freedom was long overdue, but we as a nation have progressed.

In the 1960's, a man Had A Dream.

His dream, though cut short by the ignorant is still being realized today.

Today, we are on the cusp of His Dream being realized,

as our nation has evolved again and chosen a candidate to lead us.

Not based on color, gender, or religion

but on merit and potential.

Today, we enjoy the Freedom to choose,

the freedom to enact new policy,

and the freedom to be inspired by media of all kinds.

Be it movies, music, art, books, or theatre our freedoms as a nation are limitless.

Tonight as we look towards the sky and see the bright lights of the fireworks,

Remember the lights which signified the freedom which we enjoy.

As we see movies, or watch sporting events today, remember those brave men.

The 56 Brave Men who stood up for a people and said no more.

Those men without fear of recourse,

or consequences signed our Declaration of Independence.

With those signatures, came our Nation's Freedom.

Happy 4th of July.

Whispers from Darkness

Whispers from Darkness

Lying at night,

feeling the breeze

we listen intently,

hearing with ease

whispers from darkness

we will not fear

hearing the rumbles

of storms which are near

never to worry

shielded by night

longing for morning

the sun's first light

as each day begins

we're starting anew

possibilities endness

in the daybreak dew

sunrise brings promise

chances abound

hoping to recount

last night's many sounds

the sounds of the night

your own dreams divine

embracing the hopes

of your own mind.

While some may be scared of the night and the unknown, it is best to realize that a dream is within the reach of all of us. It is only a matter of how much we are willing to work, sacrifice and aspire to be.

Spreading Our Wings

Dread and fear of
That which surrounds
Doubting yourself
hopelessness abounds.

Throwing off sorrow
Shattering your bonds
Anxious to begin
confidence responds.

Knowing in life
That we must grab
Life's bright mystery
Avoid the drab.

Longing to feel
the sun on your brow
It's time to believe
To yourself vow.

Spread your wings
Finally to fly
Reach for the stars,
your limits deny.

Times like a river

As time passes we each are swept away by the currents which are our own lives. We fail to take the time to enjoy. We fail to enjoy the ride or reflect upon our own past, we are mainly concerned about what's around the next bend. As you journey down the river which is time, make sure to sometimes just be. Be in the moment, lay back and watch the clouds pass by.

Mrs. Kelley

School's out for Summer

While the kid's may be happy, and the parents may be hesitant, others were not completely ready for the school year to come to a close. I wanna talk about my wife, or as her kids call her, Mrs. Kelley. This was her first year to teach full-time and she had 5th Grade science and social studies at Harlem Elementary. Going in, she was very excited, but also a little nervous about the adventure she was about to embark upon. Some of the kids were difficult, some didn't care either way. But, each day my wife would arrive at the school between 530 and 630 am. Most of the time she was the first teacher on campus, sometimes she'd be the last member of the faculty to leave. She did not do this because she was behind, but she wanted her kids to be engaged and interested in the subject matter that she was presenting. She worked about some Saturday's this year, and was usually lesson planning for her kids at night here at home. It paid off, as the year end measurements of achievement became available. Most of Her kids succeeded at the course work, and at the year end TAKS test.
After seeing her and her 5th grade team, I have a new understanding of the paperwork and red tape that a teacher must endure to accomplish much of anything. The administrators on her campus were for the most part amazing in the support they can lend. As the week drew to a close, she told me how much she would miss her kids, and I understood. I understood that Friday was the last day of school, and it would hit then. During the 5th grade ceremony, she broke into tears a couple of times. Her kids hugged her and told her how much they would miss her. She returned their feelings. She received flowers from at least one, bear hugs from several, and has an emotional bond with quite a few. You'll notice that they are referred to as her kids, they weren't students to her, they are her kids, she was responsible for them for 9 months. She took pride in that responsibility, and she will always take pride in them.
Last night, we went to dinner. It finally hit. She would see a handful of her students again. They would never be in the same place as a group again, and that made her very sad. After talking for a while she went through a list of 15-20 names of children that she had taught this year that had come so very far. I am sure, that over the next few years, we'll be attending football games and band concerts, so she can see some of her kids again. She is proud of the accomplishments of her first batch of pupils. More than that, I am proud of her. She has done an amazing job this year. She'll do an amazing job next year as well, and the next, and so on. I am very proud of you sweetheart, and more than that, you should be proud of yourself.

Remembrance on Memorial Day

Those Who Have Fallen

It is with both sadness and respect that we celebrate this day.
For this is the day that we remember.
This is the day that we look upon those who have paid the ultimate price,
so that our way of life would be upheld.

Those who have fallen are nameless,
except in regards to their loved ones to the majority of us.

They did not ask for glory, riches or even fame...
They have fallen.

To this day brave men and women are giving their lives in service of their countries and communities with nothing but their own courage to drive them.
They have fallen.

They do not represent a political party, or are trying to achieve an unknown objective...
They have fallen.

As we have slept in our beds, or gone about our daily lives being consumed with our own thoughts and situations...
They have fallen.

Take the time to thank those who defend us. Be it a soldier, a police officer, fireman or other servant of the peace.
As we celebrate today with barbecue or a trip to the movies
or even watching our favorite sporting event, please remember.
Remember that Those Who Have Fallen are the ones who deserve the honor, respect, and adulation that some reserve for those on the screen.

As you set out to make your plans this Memorial Day, make sure as you are packing supplies to take time out. Take time to remember the courage. Take time to remember the bravery, but most importantly, take time out to
Remember Those Who Have Fallen.

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Dreams...

What is a dream? Why do we have them, and why do certain images continue to pop up as we sleep? Do our dreams try to tell us things that we don't wish to face while we are awake? I don't have any idea about the answers to these questions, only theories...

There have been times over the last year where my dreams have been simple and mundane. Of course there have also been times where my dreams have been frightening and brought on by what may be guilt. I have actually been sleeping better without medication over the last couple of weeks. I have dreamt lately of my mom quite a bit, but my reaction has not been what some may think. I have embraced those dreams and not wanted to wake from my sleep. As strange as it may sound, I guess I have felt comfort in being able to spend time with her, even though it's only in a dream.