There is a movie called “The Vow” that helps you understand the how of making love stand up to loss when life comes crashing down.
When you’ve forgotten what you pledged (and once-felt feelings can’t be dredged), you have a choice of what to do and what you choose is key.
Amnesia is a dreaded curse but it (with time) can be reversed if day-by-day you reenact what won the other’s heart.
And if you do, you will recall the blessed wonder of it all Two people joined as one for good no matter if life’s bad.
* Actually, the plot of “The Vow” deals with the true-life events of the Kim and Krickett Carpenter and the resulting dementia that Krickett experienced after a car accident. What I am attempting to address in this poem is the tendency many couples have to forget what they promised their mate at the front of a church on their wedding day. Admittedly, that’s a different kind of memory loss, but a damanging kind of forgetfulness nonetheless. Gratefully, marriages that experience “dementia by inattention” can be restored through reprogramming daily behavior and choosing to act lovingly (even when romantic feelings are dormant).
A Valentine’s Day requiem; Remembering Whitney Houston
Because Your Love is Gone A Valentine’s Day requiem
Your Valentine has passed away and come that very special day there are no flowers or a card because your love is gone.
That day when Cupid shoots his darts while taking aim at couples’ hearts, your breaking heart just aches and bleeds because your love is gone.
Those picnics in the park are past. And bedtime chats you thought would last are only longed-for memories because your love is gone.
No box of chocolates anymore or walks at dusk along the shore. This day for lovers leaves you flat because your love is gone.
That’s why I said a prayer for you and told the Lord you’re feeling blue and need the warmth of His embrace because your love is gone.
And then I think I heard Him say on Valentine’s (and every day), “I hold the grieving in my heart because their love is gone.”
* This poem it dedicated to all those who are facing their first Valentine’s Day after losing their mate to death. It was inspired by my mother’s grief, Even though she was married to my dad just shy of fifty-eight years when he died three years ago, she continues to pine for her handsome prince.
Remembering Whitney Houston A tribute to “The Preacher’s Wife”
A gifted girl who had it all. A winsome beauty standing tall. A giant voice that dwarfed the rest while teaching rock to roll.
We knew her as “The Preacher’s Wife.” But Whitney’s life was marked by strife and riddled by the wrath of drugs and demons she denied.
So on this day “The Grammys” reign (as we recall the singer’s pain), let’s pray that Whitney left this world while clinging to God’s grace.
When Mother Nature’s winds blew strong, they toppled trees. It seemed so wrong. They stole our power, sapped our strength and rendered us in need.
But God our Father calms the storm the day we die or when we’re born. When we’re afraid, He calms our fears and whispers “Peace! Be still!”
Amazingly, He gives us grace for trials we are called to face. When darkness falls and faith grows dim, the Lord remains our Light!
* This was written to honor a friend who died in the recent snow and icy storm in Seattle (that caused a power outage for nearly a half-million people). Philip Gregory Barber was moving his ATV out of the garage when a tree fell on him killing him instantly. Ironically, his daughter-in-law gave birth to little Macy (his second granddaughter) the day of his death. As you read this, please pray for Greg’s widow Irene and their family. Check out Greg’s obituary at http://www.flintofts.com/
** A neighbor of the Barbers has written about Greg in his blog. I commend to you the writings of Michael Wolf at www.mkwolf.com
My Rhymes and Reasons 