Love Gifts (11 page)

Memory builds a little pathway

that goes winding through my heart.

It’s a lovely, quiet, gentle trail

from other things apart.

I only meet when traveling

there the folks I like the best,

For this road I call remembrance

is hidden from the rest,

But I hope I’ll always find you

in my memory rendezvous,

For I keep this little secret place

to meet with folks like you.

Thank You, God, for little things that come unexpectedly

To brighten up a dreary day that dawned so dismally.

Thank You, God, for sending a happy thought my way

To blot out my depression on a disappointing day.

Oh God, the list is endless

of the things to thank You for,

But I take them all for granted

and unconsciously ignore

That everything I think or do,

each movement that I make,

Each measured, rhythmic heartbeat,

each breath of life I take

Is something You have given me

for which there is no way

For me in all my smallness

to in any way repay.

On the wings of prayer our burdens take flight

And our load of care becomes bearably light

And our heavy hearts are lifted above

To be healed by the balm of God’s wonderful love …

And the tears in our eyes are dried by the hands

Of a loving Father who understands

All of our problems, our fears and despair

When we take them to Him on the wings of prayer.

May God bless your wedding

day and every day thereafter

And fill your home with happiness and

your hearts with love and laughter …

And may each year together find

you more and more in love

And bring you all the happiness

you’re so deserving of.

May the joy of true companionship

be yours to share through life,

And may you always bless the day

that made you husband and wife.

As hand in hand you enter a

life that’s bright and new,

May God look down from heaven

and bless the two of you.

May He give you understanding,

enough to make you kind,

So you may judge each other with

your hearts and not your minds.

May He teach you to be patient

as you learn to live together,

Forgiving little human rifts that

arise in stormy weather …

And may your love be strong enough

to withstand the strongest sea,

So you may dwell forever in

love’s rich tranquility.

It takes a mother’s love to

make a house a home—

A place to be remembered no

matter where we roam.

It takes a mother’s patience

to bring a child up right

And her courage and her cheerfulness

to make a dark day bright.

It takes a mother’s kindness to

forgive us when we err,

To sympathize in trouble and to

bow her head in prayer.

It takes a mother’s wisdom

to recognize our needs

And to give us reassurance by

her loving words and deeds.

It is sharing and caring,

Giving and forgiving,

Loving and being loved,

Walking hand in hand,

Talking heart to heart,

Seeing through each other’s eyes,

Laughing together,

Weeping together,

Praying together,

And always trusting and believing

And thanking God for each other …

For love that is shared is a beautiful thing—

It enriches the soul and makes the heart sing.

In this world of casual carelessness,

it’s discouraging to try

To keep our morals and standards and our ideals high.

We are ridiculed and laughed at

by the smart sophisticate,

Who proclaims in brittle banter that

such things are out of date …

But no life is worth living unless it’s built on truth,

And we lay our life’s foundation in

the golden years of youth …

So allow no one to stop you

or hinder you from laying

A firm and strong foundation made

of faith and love and praying …

And remember that ideals are like stars up in the sky,

You can never really reach them,

hanging in the heavens high,

But like the mighty mariner who

sailed the storm-tossed sea

And used the stars to chart his course

with skill and certainty,

You, too, can chart your course in

life with high ideals and love,

For high ideals are like the stars

that light the sky above,

You cannot ever reach them,

but lift your heart up high

And your life will be as shining

as the stars up in the sky.

In my eyes there lies no vision

But the sight of your dear face.

In my heart there is no feeling

But the warmth of your embrace.

In my mind there are no thoughts

But the thoughts of you, my dear.

In my soul no other longing

But just to have you near.

All my dreams were built around you

And I’ve come to know it’s true,

In my life there is no living

That is not a part of you.