This Poem is a Tribute to my friend, Donna Parker, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease

Donna, You Are An Inspiration To Me

Donna, you are an inspiration to me,
You always seem to have hope;
You try everything that you possibly can,
You’re not one to sit around and mope.

You never seem to get down,
Even though frustration mounts;
Things happen that perhaps should not,
Yet off your shoulder, they seem to bounce.

Your willingness to try anything and everything
To keep this wicked disease at bay
Has been so inspiring to me,
You’re like the bright light of a sun’s ray.

You are so patient to repeat things
When we’re talking on the telephone!
When you do “conversational whiplash,”
It takes me a while, then I “get it,” and I groan!

I want you to know I’m your #1 Fan!
I applaud your determination to live life –
To it’s fullest, and with all your activities,
And you’re blessed with being Dixon’s wife.

I know that the number one reason
I look forward to being with you,
Is your smile, your cheer, and your hope;
You’ve been a great example to me, too.

Donna, I continue to hope and pray to God
That He heal you while you’re still on this earth,
Yet I know you’ll be dancing and turning cartwheels,
As Christ greets you, someday, in heav’n’s “new birth.”

This poem is written about our granddaughter who will be born on May 30th. This is our son, Jeff & daughter-in-love, Laura's Sixth baby! No name yet

TBA, What’s In a Name?!?

When you finally come into the world,
I pray you’ll no longer be TBA!
I know your Mom and Dad will come up with
A beautiful name for you, that’s “Grade A!”

I’ll bet Celia, Stephen, Paul, Monica
And Adam might have suggestions you’d like!
Tell them to remember, please
That TBA can’t be your name for life!

This precious baby girl has been
“In the oven” for a long time!
We’re ready for you, TBA,
Except for a name, Lord, help them find –
Just the right name for you, “little miss,”
In the ultrasound they saw lots of hair!
Between you and Amelia Noelle,
You two will be quite a pair!

How fun it will be for you and
Amelia to grow up playing together!
The two of you being so close in age,
What could possibly be better?!?

So, Daddy and Mommy, it’s time
For you to come up with a name!
Gather suggestions from your friends,
Or from your own kids, as a sister they’ll gain!

TBA, TBA, TBA,
You’re sent from heaven above,
We can’t wait to see you, for sure!
So we can show you all of our love!

Dear TBA, “Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are!!!”

Love, Grandma Cathy

Amelia was born to our daughter, Julie, and her husband, Chris on 5/5/08

Precious Amelia With the “Laughing” Face!

What a joy it was to me to take
A lovely picture that would make
Precious Amelia with the “laughing” face!

A blessing it was to be with Julie,
And Chris, yes, it was a blessing,
To be with Amelia with the “laughing” face!

We are blessed with many grandchildren,
And now another coming soon, again!
Joining Amelia with the “laughing” face!

Seven grandchildren will greet
Brent and Meredith’s baby, oh, how neat!
Including Amelia with the “laughing” face!

Celia, Stephen, Paul, Monica and Adam,
And Ethan, how fortunate we are to have them!
Including Amelia with the “laughing” face!

All our grandchildren have laughing faces!
With so many, God has graced us!
And our latest, Amelia with the “laughing” face!

So next year in January 2009,
Brent and Mer’s baby will join us, how fine!
By then, Amelia will truly have a laughing face!

Actually, the Grandmas and Grandpas,
And the Greats, too, are gaga!
With our latest, Amelia with the “laughing” face!

Grandma Cathy was very fortunate indeed,
To be able to help Mom and Dad, with glee!
With precious Amelia with the “laughing” face!

Love, Grandma Cathy – 5/19/05
To Amelia, who was born on Grandma & Grandpa’s 35th anniversary!!!

Thanks, Amelia, Written 5/5/08

Thank you, Amelia Noelle,
For agreeing to “Come Out and Play … Today!”
We’re especially happy grateful that
Your birthday is also our anniversary day!

Yes, 35 years ago on this date
Grandma and Grandpa were married!
Your Mommy listened well to me, saying today would be
A nice day … and your Mommy didn’t tarry!

When I got your phone call, Chris,
I truly was not surprised;
For Julie said it’d be today,
She promised me, and Julie doesn’t lie!

And my friend, Judy Troidl,
Awakened me with a phone call this morning.
She had dreamt that Julie had gone into labor;
Was that prophetic, or was it just a good story?!?

And the date, 5/5/08 will be easy to remember!
The fifth month and the fifth day,
That means Grandpa has no excuse now
To miss our anniversary date, no way!
(No, he has never forgotten!)

Getting ready to come to be with you
Was a challenge for me indeed!
I packed everything I could think of;
I was giddy, and full of glee!

I can’t wait to come back to see you,
You and I will play a lot, to be sure!
And I’ll cherish all the time I can spend with you,
Amelia, do you know you’ve caused quite a stir!

Your Mommy and your Daddy
Were both quite a sight to behold!
They were beside themselves with excitement,
To them, you were far richer than gold!

Amelia, Grandma and Grandpa thank you
For picking this day to come out and play!
I look forward to many, many years
To play; many times, many days!

So Amelia, again, thank you for picking
May 5th to be born, yes, thanks again!
We won’t forget your birthday, for sure!
What an exciting anniversary for us, this has been!

Amelia, I look forward to many years
Of holding and playing with you!
Whenever you feel lonesome,
Call Grandma, because I like to play, too!

Amelia Noelle, we’re so happy,
Your Grandmas and Grandpas will enjoy you
For many years to come, “Yes Way!”
We’ll enjoy spoiling you, too!

Praise You Jesus!

Thanks again, Amelia Noelle Fink!!!

Amelia, you’re beautiful and you’re so very precious!

Love, In Him,

Grandpa & Grandpa Roberts

God Has Healed Me From Horrible Rhrumatoid Arthritis Pain!

Forgive me, Lord, Forgive Me

As I awakened early this morning,
This thought came to me …
You’ve given me relief from the horrible pain …
Forgive me for not giving You the glory.

For such a long time I prayed to You,
“Lord if You grant me relief from pain,
I’ll give you the glory, for You are the Healer,
I’ll praise You and thank You as I gain –
Strength, peace and hope for my days,
And the relief that I have craved.
I’ll glorify You howe’er You answer –
My prayers, my life to save.”

As I prayed, I knew You could use
Many ways to answer my prayers,
You could heal me outright, giving relief,
Or use doctors, for I know that You care.

As You’ve granted this much-needed relief,
I’ve gone back on my promise
To give You the glory in granting to me
Healing, as it’s been accomplished.

Father, forgive me for not giving
You credit as credit is due,
For you used the doctors and medicine,
To answer my prayers, and my body to renew.

I know I made the promise to You
That no matter how You choose –
To answer my prayers as I sought You,
Your blessings not to loose.

I know that in my heart I was amazed
That the pain that had plagued me so long
Was so greatly relieved, please forgive me
For not glorifying You, I was wrong.

I truly didn’t see the relief You’d granted,
As being an answer to my cries to You;
Lord, I promise to You right now, today,
To give You praise, for praise is due.

I will give You the honor and the glory
For Your answer to my many cries,
You’ve granted me healing in Your way, Your time,
My Lord, You are so wise.

I’ll share with others the healing grace
You’ve bestowed upon one such as me,
For I know that it’s only because of You
I finally have relief!

"To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done!"

Poem For Our Daughter, Julie's Baby, Due Mothers' Day!

Amelia, Won’t You Come Out and Play?!?

Amelia, Amelia, Amelia Noelle Fink!
Listen up! Pay attention! Don’t take time to think!
Your Grandma and your Grandpa are ready for you to come out and play!
So what are you waiting for, little one, please come out today!

Amelia, You’ve been growing for almost nine months now,
I’m sure your Mommy and Daddy are ready for you, and how!
We’ve read their blog … their “Fink Bambino 1.0” blog,
Grandpa’s read it, Grandma’s read it, even Sampson, the dog!

Four weeks after conception, they said you were the size of a poppy seed!
By November 29th your Mommy could feel you move, probably your feet!
At week eighteen, Amelia, you were the size of a sweet potato,
You were inches big and very light, but you were kicking with your toes!

When your Mommy and Daddy visited us, after Christmastime,
They announced they were expecting a girl, and that suited us just fine!
Then they announced your name … Amelia Noelle Fink!
Grandpa was touched, Grandma was overjoyed! Both of us love pink!

Amelia will take on her Grandma Jackie’s real name,
And her Mommy’s middle name, Noelle, of “Noe fame!”
Our whole family is tickled pink to add Amelia Noelle Fink!
And Amelia, you will carry on Daddy’s “Fink link!”

Back to your size, Amelia, at week 25 you were the size of an eggplant,
I pray you weren’t offended, I think a new vegetable you should demand!
Towards the end of January, we got to hear your heartbeat!
We listened to it over and over, rejoicing in sweet relief, we did weep!

Soon, Mommy’s tummy is in full motion, a shimmerin’ and a shakin’,
And she’s eating cupcakes by the dozen, yes, she can smell them bakin’!
At week 28, during an ultrasound, you became a movie star!
Grandma and Grandpa decide you win the academy award, as an up and coming star!

Amelia, would you believe a blizzard cancelled your Mommy’s baby shower?!?
But you’re active, with “baby earthquakes,” girl, do you have power!
At the eight-month point, you are the size of a honeydew,
And then with four weeks to go, finally Grandma gets to feel you!!!

The shower that was snowed out in February was rescheduled to Mommy’s ninth month,
Great-Grandma and Grandma, and Mommy’s friends got you all the right stuff!
So now, Amelia, I tell you the truth, listen to what I say!
All the Grandmas, Grandpas, and the Greats, want to celebrate today, your birthday!
… Today!!! Love, Grandma Cathy – 4/26/08

Poem Written Early 2006

God, Please Bless America

God, please bless America,
God, bless the USA,
No matter how we pray it,
That's what we want to convey.

Our country struggles with war,
It even struggles with weather,
Our government is struggling
To bring us all together.

God blesses America,
Yes He blesses the USA,
All we have to do is look around,
And we see His blessings in many ways.

We must continually pray to our God,
That our country be one
That brings unity with mankind,
For it to continue to be strong.

So God, please bless America,
In any way You see fit,
And God, bless the USA,
Keep “Lady Liberty's” fire lit.