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I guess you could say that it was
at that moment that the course of my life was set. Although I couldn't
identity the emotion at that time, it was then that I fell in love--for the
first time in my life. It was the summer of 1954. I was twenty-one. Three
years later we married.
He
is my Husband, my Companion, my Partner. He is -- My Rose Gardener
One day as l wandered
along a path, l saw a lonely shrub. So shriveled and lifeless, and almost
hid, amongst the weeds and scrub. I stood, and I wondered just what it was,
that bush so hidden there, I thought that I saw it reach out and cry--a
silent, anguished prayer.
I watched for awhile,
and I saw a man come stoop beside the shoot. "A ROSE" he exclaimed, and so tenderly he
dug around the root. He watered and tended it carefully from that day on
until he saw a small bud which began to form. Then how his heart did
thrill!
Alas! ‘ere long, the
bush did grow, and the bud became full bloom. Its fragrance and beauty did
all around expel any shadow of gloom. It brought much joy to the man who
cared: it became his joy and pride. And to many-a-stranger who passed that
way, that rose did cheer provide.
I, like that shrub,
many years ago, was shriveled, and lonely, and scared, ‘tiI I met a man who
believed in me, and showed me he really cared. He saw in me a beautiful
Rose. I became his joy and pride. And then one day, as the time went on, he
took me for his bride.
And down through the
years he’s proven to me, his true, devoted care. When my soul feels dry,
and my life seems drab, I know he will always be there. He waters my life
with joy and love. Seeds of kindness he scatters wide....I love you, my
Gardener, and always will. I’m happy to be by your side.
And especially
now, when you aren't well, I'm glad I can be there for you. "In
sickness and health," were the vows I said, and I mean them, I
truly do!
© Helen Dowd
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In memory of Hart's dad
Pete was a very quiet man.
He didn’t talk too much.
Whenever neighbours came his way,
their hands he’d firmly clutch.
His smile would stretch from ear to ear.
He’d say, “How do you do?”
And then he’d simply stand there,
Leaving talking up to you.
While Pete was still of working age,
He did a lot of things:
Like chicken farming, carpentry,
but his favourite, gardening.
Pete was a very private man,
So hard to get to know.
He wasn’t much for socializing,
And he wasn’t much for show.
When Pete was nearing thirty five,
a bachelor, still was he.
But then he met a charming nurse.
She said her name was, “Bea.”
He said, “I’ve finally met the one
I’d like to make my wife.”
So shyly he approached her,
asking her to share his life.
They made a very lovely pair,
shy Pete and bubbly Bea.
Life now was filled with meaning:
They fit together, perfectly.
Pete fathered just two children,
a daughter and a son.
‘Though life was never easy,
Bea made it lots of fun.
Too soon the children went away
to build lives of their own.
Too soon Bea died of cancer,
leaving Pete alone, to mourn.
'Though the quiet man is now gone too,
his spirit still is here.
Just sit in his son's garden,
and Pete's soft voice you will hear.
You'll hear him in the snowdrops,
peeking shyly through the snow.
You'll hear him in the crocuses
as they begin to grow.
In the happy little pansies
that smile up at the sun,
you'll hear his quiet whispering,
"I'm proud of you, my son."
In the lettuce, peas, and radishes
growing healthy, one by one,
You can hear Pete's pleased voice saying:
"My son, well done! Well done!
© Helen Dowd
Leaves And Trees
Helen Dowd
Psalm 1:3 "And
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
From
whence come the
leaves in the springtime?
And why do they die in the fall?
When I look at the trees in the winter,
I forget they’ve been green at all. All I see
are great sticks with some branches, standing
upright, so dead and so gray. But wait!
Don’t despair. They’re
just resting.
They’ll be
clothed again,
one fine spring day.
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The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is
my shepherd, no want shall I know.
He makes me lie down where
still waters flow.
He heals my sick soul, and
leads me aright.
He guides me by day, and
protects me at night.
When death overshadows me,
no ill shall I fear.
For I know that His
presence always is near.
Whenever I
stray, the Lord brings me back.
With His rod and staff
prodding me, He keeps me on track.
In the midst of my
enemies, God prepares me a feast.
I can sit there in
comfort, not afraid in the least.
My head He anoints with
the finest of oil.
My cup's running over; my
joy, nothing can spoil.
His
Goodness and Mercy go behind me always.
They will ever be with me,
to the end of my days.
When my life is over and
it comes time to die,
I'll live with Him ever,
in my Home up on High.
The Lord is my Shepherd,
my Lord and my King.
And of His Salvation, I
ever will sing.
Amen!
© Helen
Dowd
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