By Jewel 1995
Submitted by Casie (Emily's cousin)
Woke up to find
I lost my mind
Lost heart, lost nerve
Emily
I take my cigarettes
I give 'em a smoke
Oh, God
My heart feels froze
I've lost something it seems
I've misplaced my favorite thing
Emily
Where does love go
If it can't find a home
One moment here then gone
With no forwarding address
Love no longer has a house
Or residence in flesh
Take the keys
I get in the car
To out run this
Man I'd have to go real far
Where mercy wears lace
And bottles are thieves
Which of these took you from me?
Emily
I face myself
But there's this draft inside
Parts of me drowned
In perpetual tide
I wanna call names
I wanna throw things around
But no bar can buy
Forgiveness another round for
Emily
I go to the bedroom
Turn on the light
Its like an empty altar
No angels in sight
Religion with no temple
No place to take my worship to
No God for my eyes to see
No fruit to lay at the feet of
Emily
Gone
Gone
by a child
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people have nothing, and I learned that those who had something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we were given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
Each of us, parent, grandparent, relative or friend, influence the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?
Enough trials to make you strong
Enough sorrows to keep you human
And enough hope to keep you happy
-Deborah Walker
The Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...
The First Candle said, "I am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowly diminshes and goes out completely.
The Second Candle said, "I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminshes and goes out completely.
Sadly the Third Candle speaks, "I am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer. People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." Waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.
Suddenly...a child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning. The child begins to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end!"
Then the Fourth Candle speaks gently to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, for I am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles."
With shining eyes, the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life. With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are...Peace, Faith and Love can shine brightly in our lives. We make a living by what we get...We make a life by what we give!
