My heart is heavy and so sad
For those whose lives have turned out bad
We can’t assess where lies the blame
Our duty is to help the same.
Who knows what pain victims may bear
There is great need for us to care
For we are all one family
Children of God eternally !
There’s an old rocking chair I do recall
Remembrance of days when I was so small
While my nana cuddled and held me tight
If I was tired and lost or full of fright.
As we rocked away in that wornout chair
With many a ride we’d places to share
I believe each child is entitled to
A view of the world from a lap or two,
I pray each gets the opportunity
To bond with someone as special as she !
The moment’s come to bid goodbye
To all I love ere I should die
For time is swift as we all know
One can’t command it stop or go.
The end is quick, affords no choice
We are adrift without a voice
It matters not the age we are
Or if we’ve traveled wide or far.
The goal is clear enough to see
Just how each one is dear to me
Since all must pass, as is the case
It ‘s still the rule none can erase !
These winter winds embrace the night
While we all snuggle and sleep tight
Under blankets or handmade quilt
That wizened hands with love have built.
The winds do whistle through the glass
Reminding all of life’s morass
Our patience is required now
Pray we survive these times somehow.
For longer than we care to think
Our future trembles on the brink
The Lord is there and knows our plight
And safekeeps us throughout each night !
Sometimes I hear the echoes of
Old days that were consumed with love
When hearts were young and lacked the fears
That follow through life’s troubled years.
Why is it love can’t remain long
Why is it weak or seldom strong
There is a need for all to know
What does one do to make love glow ?
I’ve failed to take the time to say
To folks I’ve met along the way
How grateful I have always been
For kindness shown, to my chagrin.
So many things get left behind
I’m loathe to think I’ve been unkind
But vow to try to make amends
As best I can to all my friends.
For friendship is this special thing
That carries care upon its wing
And shares the hopes we’re dreaming of
Amid abundance of our love !
There is a dream that comforts me
That one day I shall live to see
The power of our God will be
To loose our chains and set us free !
EXCUSE me, in the past weeks I have had another one of my inconvenient strokes, 28 or 29, I can’t remember ! So I followed my routine, packing my trusty bible and necessities in a small bag as I checked into the ER of the Hoboken University Medical Center on Third Street where I am a frequent flyer since 1978. I’ve had 2 major strokes, 3 DVT’s, and sundry TIA’s which help explain both my wheelchair and passion for prayer ! My experience at this former Franciscan Facility has managed to be a bright spot in an otherwise frightening environ for many years. However I really do miss the old nuns who were an integral part of the staff since the hospital’s inception in 1863. (Civil War). Now that the last of the nuns, Sister Theresa, has been permanently transferred to the Motherhouse Retirement Home out of state, an era has come to an end ! She was a longtime acquaintance, sorely missed, who referred to me as Phil Casella’s friend ( he being a 3rd order Franciscan )! I’ve been okay with that recommendation ! We’ve been friends for almost 40 years, and known to most as Mrs. B. since my family and I fed Hoboken for mega years and that included clergy, doctors, police, fire fighters, Maxwell House, politicians, Stevens Institute, Tetley Tea, Hostess Cake, Continental Can to mention a very few ! Who remembers historic HOBOKEN House ? The staff at Hoboken Hospital is a true Americana mix, Hispanic, Indian, Filipino, Sihk, Czech, Russian, Korean, Asian, Irish, Greek, Italian, Black to name a few ! First time I needed St. Mary was spring 1957 when my son Matthew suffered severe skull fracture, successfully treated by my hero the late Dr. Sam Critedes ! This is a very busy place with 1st floor heroes Geraldine, Alba and Barry, et al, knowledgeable and caring. The ER has both Ria, Maria, Jason and scads of others deserving kudos for their attention and concern. I am fond of the staff on the 4th floor ( monitors only ) HaHa ! Where Charlotte, Amos, Minnie, Pattie, Diana, Paolo hold sway ! Mustn’t forget dietitians, kitchen staff and others who cook once-over-easy to die for ! Well I’m home now recuperating and forever grateful to all of those great professionals ! Thanks a lot ! Sincerely, Claire B.
My nana was my special friend
She taught me how to sew and mend
To make my bed and hang my clothes
To fold my undies and my hose
We talked sometimes into the night
She made my problems turn out right
And helped me overcome my fears,
Oh she’s been gone these many years.
I wish that she could see me now
To know I made it through somehow
I want to thank her from my heart
She gave my life it’s special start !
The tiny child is full of grace
Such sweetness and quite fair of face
This peaceful babe that cuddles so
Does warm the heart with inner glow !
I never thought that I would be
Enchanted by each small baby,
How wonderful that God does show
To all the way our love should grow !
The little babe with smile so sweet
Whose tiny hands and wiggly feet
Are perfect as they move about
Is pure within and snuggly out !
Imagine what the years may bring
Dreams and hopes are just beginning
But it could take a bit more time
Before each child begins his climb.
Let’s beg that God will be right there
To guide him and to hear his prayer,
Do not forget him as he grows
Life’s hard enough all heaven knows !
Who is the faithful Father gentle, kind and true
Knowing all that you need and what is good for you
Pushing at your core but never quite too far
Helping you discover exactly who you are ?
You realise the truth that you are not alone
To lift the weight from your heart, heavy as a stone
Is there another reason you may have a doubt
The time to query faith and what it’s all about ?
You may accept this answer longer than today
Believe, God comforts you all through each night and day !
There is one truth of which I’m sure
The infants heart is good and pure
His innocence exists innate,
While growing he is taught to hate.
A child that’s raised in wisdoms care
Is one who learns to give and share.
His kindly deeds and honest ways
Will closely shadow all his days,
And if we shower him with cheer
One day may lead us out of fear.
There are times when hours seem to fly
And those when minutes just crawl by
Hours, minutes, seconds building days
To give us time to mend our ways.
God is like the parent we all wish that we could be
He follows all our doings with sensitivity
And heals our damaged hearts with His loving faithful care
Teaching us hope and reason when we’ve learned how to share,
Like an earthly Father sometimes getting in the way
As He helps to save us from our problems day to day.
We must try to shadow all His footsteps if we can
Comprehending His true wisdom with the mind of man !
It would be sad if I should wake
To find my life one great mistake
The road I took was meek and mild
I trusted God, I am His child
I sought His love and gentle care
I chose His way to learn and share
I never thought that I should doubt
What His wisdom was all about
Now that I’m sure that I was right
I’ll see no fear in day or night.
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Claire V. Bogdanos 