Cliff -

I get it-
thank you for sharing so openly ...It is true exactly what you say...
I know because my brother too is HIV positive. It has taken its toll ...Bravo to you for your boldness

I met someone today-yet again
When I look -I try to see "him".
But some how "My list" comes out
And I end up seein' what he's without.

Wonderful guy, charming and witty
Not afraid to say Im pretty
Wants to hold hands but what do I do
Still too busy thinking of you

His kiss is tender Oh so sweet
But my heart wont surrender to defeat
Its charging into battle, I pull away
I cant look at him and have nothing to say

It doesnt feel the way it should
Im wondering now if it ever would
I need to let go - but I dont know how
Wondering if Im losing it now....

Ill never be happy as long as I see
Your big brown eyes when he looks at me
My heart feels empty tho I want to try
Ill never know til I tell you goodbye.

I was raised in a pretty strict home. We got spanked-ALOT! We
were bad ALOT! Our "spankins" were a bit too frequent I think and way too harsh on borderline Beatings.

So as a parent I decided that spanking wasn't wrong, but kids needed instruction more. There are situations where spanking is truly needed-I believe thats why you cant do anything with most of the youth this day and time cause everyone wants to coddle them and make things too easy and there is little discipline and few consequences for negative behavior.

However, It is my opinion that kids should A) Know why they are being spanked and B) not spanked because you're angry ( which is a hard balancing act)
I dont know about you but if its bad enough for a spanking its usually p'd you off pretty bad too.

As a child I can remember my mom sending me to my room to wait until my dad got home Sometimes a couple of hours. Anticitpation of the spanking was extremely "killer" punishment in itself. So I would send my kids to their room and I would go off somewhere and take a few deep breaths and try to pull myself together and remember they were paying me back double for all the stupid crap I put my folks through ( just like mom said they would) . I would sit on the bed and talk to them about whatever they had done and tell them they were going to get a spanking (or whatever punishment I could conjer up) But I always -ALWAYS - told my kids I loved them. And I would hug them. After that it was over. No harping no further insult to injury,

Most times I could give my kids "the eye" and they knew I meant business. I think the most important thing is if you tell them something follow through.

I have three very great young adults now. Never been in trouble with the law, and they work hard and make good grades in school and they treat me with the greatest respect. Now that they are parents- or around other parents they can see that "discipline" is needed. That doesnt always mean spanking.

Dont know about you - But first of all I went thru the shock and awe, then it was unbelief, then I was hurt, then I was just plain
P.O'd but eventually I made it around to indifferent.

You will go thru stages-
My prayers are with you & my heart goes out to you- I know this is not an easy time.

Thanks guys- I love the rain too. I like to walk in in- long as theres no lightning>>>>LOL

My dear friend Diane is mourning the loss of her Husband Rick- He Went to be with the Lord this morning after a massive stroke.

He was a fine servant of the Lord, a loving husband and an awesome father...He will be greatly missed.

This last few months have been hard for Diane- she just lost her father as well.
Please remember her and their family in your prayers-
Thank you
Tressia

You are absolutely right Imrare-

I can testify to this also...In 2000 the Drs. said I had melignant melanoma (skin cancer) stage 4. It had spread under my skin.
"They said" I would have surgery and have to have chemo and the whole gambit of treatments.

I sat down with my family and told them what the DRS said, but I told them That Im a child of the King and Jesus and cancer cannot live in my body at the same time and the I did not receive the Drs report.
Gods word says "Whose report are you going to believe?" My Bible say by His stripes I am healed so I claimed that verse and rebuked
that sickness that it HAD to leave. It was not mine!!

They did the surgery- but there was NOTHING THERE... The Drs were astonished. I just smiled because I know ...God is an awesome God!

It is amazing to me that there were no comments or responses to this topic-which is a very important topic...Just not very popular.
I'd have to say it isnt easy to wait for marriage...But just as Jesus returns for a spotless "Bride" we should all be seeking a spotless relationship and doing things in order to recieve God's full blessing on that union. After all love is a covenant. A promise is between two individuals-a covenant is between God and those two individuals/with HIM being the focus.

My teenage daughter asked me during highschool why she should wait when all of her friends were being active.
I explained to her this way...

When you go to the Mall to buy something, say a new pocket book,
do you buy one with a broken handle or a ripped linig? she said no.
I told her did she look for one that had been scuffed or faded? she again said no.
I said you look for one that is new and basicly perfect and un-used and she said of course.
I asked her then why would you expect any less of the man who you will spend the rest of your life with.

The physical attributes of love can diminsh as years take their toll,
Doesnt mean they arent an important part. However the foundation of love should be the heart, and soul of someone. How you communicate
and respect each other will be there long after the rest isnt in the spot light. Those are the things that will carry you through the tough times. Forgiveness, longsuffering, unconditional love, and mutual respect. Those things cement a solid loving relationship.

What an amazing translation, of raw feelings and accuracy together.

Very well stated and an awesome expression

BRAVO

This morning I woke up
just to watch the rain
See the lightning flicker
Hear the thunders' refrain

No greater pow'r of cleansing
you could ever find
Refreshing the spirit
Heart, soul and mind....

Gentle tapping of the rain
Dropping down
Clears out the head
Of all other sounds

Quiet pitter patter
washing everything new
Just slightly bigger
Than early morning dew

Coffee and quiet thoughts
Reflections of heart
Broken only rumbles
Of thunder afar

Feels pretty humbling
The Impact is great
Light rain that washes
Away all that weight..

"Fear" is the biggest dream killer-

I say GO FOR IT!!!

No one can spark my energy
In quite the way you do-
And nothing gets me more thrilled,
Than thoughts of being with you.

SO when you called me and said
That you were on your way-
I spent my time preparing
And cooked dinner for us all day.

When it came time for you to show
you never even came...
And you didnt bother to call
ANd to me that's just a shame;

I worried that you had a wreck
Or for some reason could come-
But Ill never know now will I?
My buddy, my pal, my chum?

Such lack of respect for me
Makes me re-think your part-
No one should have such disregard,
For another persons heart.

Even if we were just friends
Not to even care
that I knew you made it home safe
Not to mention how I had prepared.

But I guess you take for granted
That I will always be
Someone who will wait on you...
Well, -now you'll wait on me.

Now its half way into today
Still Ive had no word
To think that I meant something
Now I see is just obsurd...

Gosh-

A tall dark haired woman
still in her prime,
Knows that some things
Just take more time-

But she is curious
and just wants to know;
If anyone out there
has feelings to show-

Is anyone looking for
A woman with style
Who lives with laughter
And seeks out desire?

A gal who is creative
Who knows how to cook
Who isnt too "girly"
To bait her own hook...

She puts herself out there
Shes honest and true
Her resolve unshakeable
She will not be moved.

But sometimes she wonders
if thats what's attractive
To todays modern man
WHo is fit and active.

Do they seek old-fashioned
With a hint of "bad girl"
Or are they afraid to just
Give anything a whirl.

Is it just fear
Or hurts from the past
Not sure if they can invest
In what might not last.

Maybe if I stop looking so hard
Maybe it will just be
Just curious and wondering
From Little old me.

In this information age
with technology at our fingertips
There is so much temptation
And out there lurks many who
Cant just be haapy where they are
With who they are with....

It occurs to me that you never really
DO KNOW someone- they can be whoever
they want to be, where ever they are
at that moment...
And we all suffer the "grass is greener"
syndrome in life to some degree-

Until hindsight sets in, that is.
I say if the grass is greener on the other
side, its time to water your own lawn.
Mans in-humanity to man has caused
a backlash of mistrust, hurting people
hurt other people and unfortunately
It has a domino effect...

Where does it stop? Are there still
people out there who can be monogamous?
WHo can say yeah that "looks" great
but I have the BEST waiting for me at home..
Does that still exist? I'd really like to know..

When I look in the mirror, What do I see?
You know it is a choice what you see. what is reflecting back?

Do I see A tired woman alittle out of shape from years of putting everyone first? or the gray hairs trying to poke out from the last color job?
Do I see the fine lines that are appearing around my eyes and lips....

The green eyes that have seen too much sorrow and pain?

Yes I do see those things...but most importantly
I see a beautiful heart, thats strong and courageous- to do things most others wont do. A survivor, mother of 3 grown kids who worked as many jobs at once as it took to feed her family.

I see a woman who used to be afraid , alone and battered, but had the courage one day to say NO MORE! I deserve better...

An independent creature, who has held onto enough of the child inside to still have compassion and not look at things from a de-sensitized view.
SOme one who cries at animal rescue ads, helps elderly people, and buys homeless people hambugers....
A woman who has beat cancer twice and been free since 2000.

I could choose to focus on my flaws, I could pick myself apart
for all thats wrong with me... But I am a Blessed woman.
Despite mistakes, bad judgement and bad timing I have so much to be greatful for...


When you look in the mirror -what do you see? I hope you choose to see the good in you-

Awwww......


I need tissues for that one- like a whole BOX.

Very great writing.

When the world is cold and gray
And no one has nice things to say
When it feels your getting older
Come find rest upon my shoulder

WHen storm clouds are brewing all around
And your feet stumble over the ground
You know there's a safe place to flee
Come find refuge my friend, with me

When work, and home can be too much
Relax beside me with a soothing touch
Blustery winds wont knock you down
you've got an anchor hangin 'round

If you can hear me-let me be bolder
You know I'll always be your shoulder
I know on you I can depend
And I'll need YOUR shoulder now n again..

9-5-09 TAL

Thats really a wonderful expression of feelings..
warm and tender...

Thank you very much-
It is very encouraging to see responses to your writing.

You're feedback is very much appreciated.

GEL