Remembering...

Silence and peace prevail
Where once they fought
On far off battlefields
Giving their last breath
To preserve our freedoms

Now a simple headstone

Testifies to their bravery

WWII, Vietnam war and others

Called to them to service

Challenges and horrors
Too difficult to recall
Plagued the survivor’s
Thoughts and dreams

Many never returned

Gone to a higher place

Of rest as we remember

Their sacrifices for us

Roots and Branches

Modern families come together in many ways

Few of us have a traditional family nowadays

with just a mom and dad and their own children.

Some couples just live together with no certificates.

There are widows and widowers, adopted kids,

divorced and step families, remarriage and

blended families filled with half siblings and

step siblings. My family seem to have them all.

But the bonding influence is the LOVE that can exist,

the caring and communication even sent to the lost

or rebellious ones who leave home never to return.

Families are the true constant in a world of change.

Even death and separation can not destroy the bonds

and relationships that endure longer than life.

One day we will have a grand reunion in heaven

of our larger extended family and departed loved ones.