Spring!

There’s something so exhilarating about spring
That makes a person want to sing!
The refreshing sights of leaf and flower
Seem to give our spirits power
Straight from Heaven up above us
Spring showers and flowers from God who loves us!
Spring ‘s special touch renews our engery;
Stimulating and invigorating it can be!!
I wonderf if God’s angels sing
Rejoicing with us on earth
Over the sheer joy of SPRING!

Thena

Lord Bless the Nurses

Lord Bless the Nurses

Lord bless the nurses who work so hard
And bless others’ lives each day
Not only by the work they do
But by the words they say.
Lord, bless the ones who show such compassion
Even when patients are grumpy or cuss
Or just generally make a fuss.
Bless the nurses who take it all in stride
And wear their uniforms with pride.
Bless the ones who see the pain in the eyes,
Of a weary soul or of patients
who have lost control.
Bless your angels of mercy with a healing touch
For those who need it so much .
Bless those you have called to this special task
With everything they need to succeed
And continue to be the blessings
Which You have ordained them to be.
Amen

Prayer

Prayer
Sometimes we get caught up
In feeling eloquence is needed to pray
That our fluency in our expression
Might prove our aptness for a worthy prayer
Thinking somehow that God listens
To see if we have that flair.
And that otherwise God might not hear
The simple prayers we need to pray
If there isn’t an elegant flow of persuasiveness
In the words we choose to say.
But sometimes I’ve had an urgent matter
That I needed to speak to God about
And in my time of such distress
“Help” is the only word that would come out.
Thena

Prayer for Japan

Dear God in Heaven up above
God of Mercy, God of Love
We lift up our neighbor and our friend
And ask that your angels you would send
To help this country whose needs you know
To go where humans cannot go
To rescue those who are trying to do
Things only done by a chosen few.
They risk their lives and know it's so
To go where most humans dare not go.
What heroes they have bred in that city
Who ask not for our country's pity.
But that if we can help in any way
We would send that help today.
Remind all your children. Lord to pray.

Thena

Japan Our Hearts Are With You

We keep seeing those heartbreaking photos
That fill the news each day
And we long to reach out and comfort you
But we can’t find the words to say.

We believers lift our prayers to Heaven
And ask God to bless and heal
And that to each hurting family
His love He would reveal.

We cannot say “We know how you feel”
For most have not known such pain as this
Which has caused so much of what you know
To have ceased in moments to exist.

Please forgive us if our attempts seem clumsy
And if we stumble over words of sympathy to you
For this is so beyond what we can comprehend
And we’re at a loss at just what to do.

But allow us to share our love and compassion
In whatever ways we are able to do
Because from the very depths of our hearts
We hurt for you.

We love your dear friends
And each day
For your healing and recovery
We pray.

Thena Smith

Old Forgotten Buildings

Old Forgotten Buildings
Setting back from the road
Inhabited by snakes and spiders
And perhaps a rat or toad.
Buildings left there to accumulate
The ravages of time and wind
Never dreaming in their prime
Of how their time would end.
The farmers who built them
Did so with love and pride
They could hardly wait to finish
So they could walk inside.
Perhaps they had a barn raising
Or celebrated with a drink or two
Of whatever was known
As the local brew.
Perhaps the preacher came
And blessed the new barn and house
Now the unblessed resident
Is a little brown field mouse.
Someone somewhere is remembering
That house when it was in its prime
And whispers into their pillow
How it was such a lovely time!
Thena

For Our Friends in Japan

For Our Friends in Japan

Dear Friends,
How we wish we could reach out
And hug you close to us today
And let you know there is real love
Behind the words we say.

We see your photos on TV
And our hearts are breaking too
For our world is so very small
And we are friends and family to you.

The losses that you have suffered
Cause our eyes to fill with tears
And we know that the return to normal
May take a lot of years.

But know that we won't forget
And will help in every way we know to do
Your land's healing, restoring and renewing
And each day we pray for you.
Thena

To An Old Empty House Standing Alone

Was this a place once filled with love?
Or did hardship take its toll too soon
Did children run and laugh and play
Or did they toil from the break of day?
Was there warmth in the kitchen
While chicken roasted and cookies baked
And where there lots of holidays to celebrate?
Did they move on to something bigger and better
And gratefully leave this behind
Not caring or attached enough
to worry about its decline?
When I see a place such as this I wonder.
I wonder what would be the story it could tell
Whoever once belonged to this place
I wish them and all their descendants well.

Thena

If you have nothing else
And fortune has been taken away
You still have a treasure
You have today.

How you use it
Is up to you
And your future
Depends on what you do.

Use this treasure wisely
And others try to bless
For as you bless other people
You will fill joy and happiness.

Fame and fortune are fleeting
But obedience to God is blessed
When we put our our lives in His hands
He guides us to what is our live's best.

You Have Today

If you have nothing else
Even when fortune has been taken away
You still have a treasure
You have today!

Kids Make Great Friends

Kids Make Great Friends

Two strangers met while flying a kite
On a nice windy day in May.
Both of them were holding tight
And really had not much to say.

But amid the laughter that accompanied
The tangling up of their strings
They got acquainted and became fast friends
As two wonderful human beings.

They shared a picnic there on the grass
With peanut butter and stuffed eggs
And both of them had a bit of juice
And for cookies neither had to beg.

For several days they continued to meet
Sometimes along with other family and friends
But both of them seemed to find the other
As they went off chasing the wind.

Life long friends they remained
As long as life survived
For one of the friends was 83
And the other friend was five.
Thena

Happy Birthday Sweet Granddaughter

Today you are one
And a special part of your life
Has just begun.
Each day you will learn
So many new things to do
That will make your days
even more special for you.
And I will be here for you
To share those new things with me
Enjoying being with you, dear one
At every opportunity!
Thena

Grandchild Birthday

Grandchild

This little birthday card
Is especially for you
To wish you a wonderful day
And happiness the whole year through!
We will watch you as the year goes by
And enjoy the special joy of you
With lavish hugs and kisses
Because that's what grandparents do!
Thena

Happy Birthday Sweet Princess

Sweet Princess, you are one today
And royal subjects will agree
That at the royal birthday home
Is the most fun place to be.
For one whole year little princess
You have ruled our home and heart
And so we celebrate this date
As one that's set apart.
It's set apart for fun and games
And your birthday to celebrate
The celebration will continue
Even when this day is through
Because we celebrate each day
The joy that is you!
Happy Birthday!
Thena

Don't Forget Me

Don't forget me when you're away
Or I will be very sad
For to know that you think of me
Makes my heart fill glad.

Don't forget to write to me
And send me cards, please do
For every note I get
Is special if its from you.

Don't forget to call me
And chat with me online
For each time I get to chat with you
Makes me so happy that you're mine!

Thena

When Mom Sang to Me

When Mom sang to me as I was in my crib,
I didn't know the words she spoke,
But I looked forward to her lullabyes
And could feel her love surround me.
I didn't know what songs she sang
But I could feel her arms around me.
Through the years as I grew up
And ran to her with hurts and fears,
That same love was there for me
And she rocked me in her arms
And dried my tears.
Hurts and illnesses came and went
As I continued to mature
No matter what trial came my way
Of that same love I could be sure.
When time came that she was ill
And soon to part from me,
I put my arms around her
Holding her so tenderly,
My spirit singing those sweet lullabyes
That she sang so many times to me.
Thena

The Vet

The Vet

Something is wrong with my pup
I set her kibble down
And she didn't even look up!
She's been off her food this week
And only seems to eat
Things that we give her,
now and then,
As a special treat.
He listened as I listed
The things I cooked for her
And gave us a little smile
As he gently rubbed her fur.
"If you want her diet to be doggie food;
then I fear your plans you've foiled.
I see nothing wrong with your little dog
Except that she is spoiled!"
Thena

Bring Back Some Scissors

Bring Back Some Scissors for Me

Bring back some scissors
My wife yelled out to me
I was headed for the Walmart
As she could plainly see.

Without knowing what I was agreeing to
I shouted back that yes I would
And quickly made my get away
While the "gettin' away" was good.

It took me about five minutes
To get the tools I needed
I walked over the appropriate aisle
And at my quest I had succeeded.

I looked 'round for the scissors
And saw some tiny little things
They were in little case
That was all covered with bling.

She hadn't mention tweezers
Nor the pointy little sticks inside that case
So I hurried to another aisle
So that task I could erase.

I picked a pair of sewing shears
And looked at them in glee
These big ole metal things
Sure looked like scissors to me.

But something stopped me
And the clerk saw my dismay
I need to buy some scissors
Was all that I could say.

What kind of scissors do you need
She inquired sweetly of me.
And I tried my best to remember
What my wife had said to me.

The helpful clerk tried once more
And listed scissors by the score.
I clearly had no faint idea
How many types were in that store!

Sewing sheers, Fiskars, embroidery
Hair cutting, nail trimming-my brain was swimming.
Kitchen scissors, Garage sheers, or dog grooming
Oh my my fate before me was looming.

Then I blurted out "She's a scrapper I know"
"She fights?" asked the clerk
But another clerk said "Let's go."
And took me to the Scrapbooking aisle
Where she had scissors to show.

I almost kissed her hand in relief
For that all was well was my belief
Until the clerk began:

Fiskars?
Martha Stewart
Tim Holtz
Tonic
EK Success
Making Memories
KAI

Then I began to cry...

Visiting Grandpa

Visiting Grandpa

Grandpa has a cute little dog
Blackie is his name
Grandpa says whether boy or girl
The name could be the same.
Blackie loves my grandpa
And I think he loves me too
'Cause Grandpa's little dog
Does whatever he tells it to do.
Grandpa lets me feed him
And teach him tricks as well
And sometimes we feed him Grandma's food
But I promised not to tell.
I think Grandma knows where the chicken goes
But doesn't really mind at all
Because I think she secretly loves that dog
For he gets so happy when he hears her call!

Thena

Granpee's Dogs

My grandma's dog is black
With fur so shiny and smooth
That it feels like the silk
On grandma's pretty glove.

Grandpa has a dog with spots
On a coat of white
He says he is a hunting dog
And boy he got that right!

He hunted grandma's chickens
And chased them 'round the yard
And when gramps finally caught him
They both were breathing hard.

Grandma said her dog was nice
Perfect as a loving pet
While Grandpa's little doggie
Isn't out of the doghouse yet!

Thena