Nemo

There once was a baby named, "Nemo"
Who was loved much more than he knew.
For his family was bigger and brighter than most
And their love for him grew and grew.

He had a Mommy and Daddy
A brother and sister too.
But he also had nurses and doctors
Who thought they were family too!

There was Jessie who rocked him at night time,
And Sarah who loved him by day.
On weekends Ms. Pat held him out in the station
And on the computer he'd play.

Gayle took him rides in the wagon,
And Allison snuck him some cake.
Leisa and Tony took care of his baths
And Oh! What a noise he would make!

They all knew how much he liked music,
And they kept him well stocked in toys.
They spoiled him royally and kissed on his cheeks,
The way you should all little boys!

He loved to hold on to long silky hair
And to pull on IDs that went, "snap"!
But when he was tired or too sick to play
He loved to sit still on your lap.

He'd nod his head "yes" and then cut his eyes
To see if you thought he was funny.
And everyone smiled and laughed at his trick.
When he smiled the whole world was sunny.

Sometimes Rebecca would bounce up and down
And Nemo would copy her dance.
When Lori played "peek-a-boo" under her desk,
He'd giggle and steal a quick glance.

Teresa and he had a game that they played-
He'd throw all his toys on the floor.
And after she picked them up all one by one,
He'd see if she'd play just once more.

There was something that Nemo found slightly odd:
Part of his family thought he liked frogs!
Like Jena and Becca with fun things to shake,
And even Ms. Helen! What sense did this make?

But he understood lonely and watching TV.
And despite what Doc Casey might say,
He understood TVs were really no fun.
He much preferred people who'd play.

Like Amy who nibbled on fingers and toes,
And Heather who read him his book,
And JoAnn who taught him where "this piggy goes",
He stole all of their hearts with one look.

When playtime was hampered by feeling real bad,
By fevers or bad tummy aches,
His nurse would come rock him and hold him real tight
While he'd reach up and stroke on her face.

He brought in his first New Year with nurse Angela.
His birthday was all about fish.
For Christmas his picture adorned the staff's tree.
But deep in his heart he'd a wish.

A wish for a tummy that liked what he ate,
And to stop all the pain and the pokes.
And even though hospital people were nice,
He wished he could live with his folks.

Poor Nemo seemed weaker as each day went by,
His family doing all they could do.
But then came a call and a long airplane ride.
And now- his wish would come true!

And though they all missed him so terribly much,
His hospital family and friends,
Their prayers were all answered as Nemo got well
And his sick little body did mend.

So deep in their hearts they will never forget
The baby they'd all come to know.
They'd treasure their memories and oft call to mind
Their stories of Baby Nemo.


(And P.S.: Happy B-day, Rah-Rah! We love you!)

Party Preparation

The presents are bought (well, most of them)
And all neatly wrapped (well some of them)
The cookies are baked (except for the ones I mixed up, put in the fridge and forgot about)
Cards are mailed; it's a fact! (well, ONE card got mailed...the rest are still in the process of being addressed)

The tree's decorated (Actually, we got 2 trees this year and only one is decorated so far)
The creche on the hearth (Thanks to Molly)
I'm ready for Christmas
At least in my heart!

Jesus, thank you that all I have to do to be ready for the real meaning of Christmas is to be still and know you. How ironic that our preparations for your birthday celebration are exactly the opposite of being still. Today I will be still and I will know that YOU are God.
-amen

Carried

Hold me in your arms and gently rock me
Let me feel your heart beat on my face
Let me hear the words it softly whispers
And learn your voice while in your warm embrace

Hold me here and never let me wander
Break me as you need to keep me here
Let this precious moment spent here with you
Bring visions of the peace that lies so near

When the pain begins the road to healing
May wandering for me hold no appeal
Let my thank-you's spring from true thanksgiving
And faithfullness result from the ordeal

A Night in the Bow

wind, waves, roaring storm
chaos churning; and he speaks
peace, rest, know I AM