Inspirations

Friends and Family in their own words. Read words of love, inspiration, and encouragement.

—

I Love You, Mom
a poem by Beth Olson, Age 15 (1996)

I thank God today that you are here.
So many have lost their lives to
the tiny terrors that take torch
to their healthy bodies
Though it may be selfish,
while I thank God, I pray to Him:
“Please, don’t take her away from me.”
And is it selfish,
that while you have been weak,
I have held on?
Well, I will be strong,
it’s your turn to hold on,
And one more thing:
I love you Mom.

Hope

Hope is in the Doctors who made the discovery
Hope is in the family who just found out
Hope is in the hands of the surgeon who performed the operation
Hope is in the Father who stays by her bedside
Hope is the Church who supports and prays for the family
Hope is in the friends who provide dinner and comfort
Hope is in the Chemotherapist who treats the mother
Hope is in the donations to help fund research
Hope is in the daughters who walk for their mothers
Hope is in the survivors who walk for themselves
Hope is a Pink Ribbon

Cody (Age 14)

Hope

Author Unknown

If you can look at the sunset and smile,
then you still have hope.

If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower,
then you still have hope.

If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly,
then you still have hope.

If the smile of a child can still warm your heart,
then you still have hope.

If you can see the good in other people,
then you still have hope.

If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to
sleep, then you still have hope.

If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in
wonder, then you still have hope.

If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under
your fingertips, then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and
optimism, then you still have hope.

If you give people the benefit of a doubt,
then you still have hope.

If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that
have touched your life, then you still have hope.

If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a
pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.

If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and
frustration, then you still have hope.

If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it
must end, then you still have hope.

If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and
reflection, then you still have hope.

If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or
cook the turkey, then you still have hope.

If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be
happy, then you still have hope.

If you can look to the past and smile,
then you still have hope.

If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile,
you can still look up and end the conversation with the
phrase….”yeah….BUT..” then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it
sometimes hides, but rarely does it break.
It sustains us when nothing else can.
It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead,
when we tell ourselves we’d rather give in.

Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.

Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.

Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the
direction.

Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and
nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can
be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of
places.
Never lose hope.

IF I KNEW

by Dr. H Solomon

If I knew it would be the last time
That I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say “I love you,”
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I’m sure you’ll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there’s always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say “I love you,”
And certainly there’s another chance
to say our “Anything I can do?”
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all! I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll surely regret the day,
That you didn’t take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you’ll always hold them dear
Take time to say “I’m sorry,”
“Please forgive me,” “Thank you,” or “It’s okay.”
And if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll have no regrets about today.
by Dr. H Solomon