We all have a story to tell.
We can stand alone or become part of a bigger picture together.
We come in different shapes and sizes.
We are all part of a kaleidoscope of various colors like individual gems.
We are each unique but we can band together and become part of a masterpiece.
Some of us maybe smoother than others.
Some of us maybe a little bit jaded.
Some of us may have more lines than others.
While some of us are shapelier than others.
We can choose to shine alone or shine together like precious gems to become a masterpiece of stained glass, if we join together and let the light shine through us.
Let your light shine.

Masks we sometimes wear
Wearing a happy face when we want to cry
why do we disguise what is truely inside and hide behind these masks we wear?
A comedy mask to hide the pain and tears that we still prefer not to face after all these years
the true tragedy that we endured is buried deep beneath
We can become slaves to fear and let the mask turn to a horrific one if we let the fear overcome us.
We can be so afraid of rejection instead of seeking protection from fear itself or instead of letting someone know us for who we really are.
It is better to be real with those around us then to be suffocating behind the masks we sometimes chose to wear
It can be so freeing to just except ourselves and let others see our unique real qualities instead of a masked altered identity.

Things to remember when the storms of life are raging.
It's true, that at times life throws us a curveball, at those times it is best to swing the bat and not just drop the bat and give up, but to keep swinging and giving all I have got to keep living life one day at a time.
In life sometimes my problems seemed too numerous and burdens so hard to bear it felt like the end of everything.
Later on I came to realize that it was just  simply a start of a new chapter in my life. A new beginning not the end at all.
I just needed to look at things differently and gain a new perspective. In life problems come and go. They seem to rowl in and out like a tide. It is best not to get caught in its current or get swept up in a tidal wave but instead to make the most of everyday. To look for and appreciate even the smallest of blessings.

Just a note to let all of you. My Hello Poetry friends, know how much I appreciate you reading and/or following my poems or posts for the past  5 years ( for some of you), Wow, the time has sure gone by quickly. Futhermore, you have all made such a positive impact on my life that I can not picture my life without you all in it. When I count up my blessings in life ,I count you all twice. You have been so nice to know! Thank You, so much for being part of this online community! You make a difference in my life and the lives of others too. Keep writing!
With Sincere Gratitude,
From Your fellow poet friend,
Ann M Johnson

Your steadfast love

Your steadfast love O Lord never ceases to amaze me
My mind is in a state of awe at the vastness of your love
The vastness of your love could cover mountains at just a
Thought from you

If I were to count the amount of love you have for your children it would outnumber the stars and outweigh the grains of sand.

Just to think that your love existed before we came to be
If all your love was revealed, if all creation declared it if all nature proclaimed it, the oceans would drown in your love for your love is far deeper and your love is wider than the sky, for the sky is but a mere breath in comparison to your love.

Therefore, it is more magnificent than a mountain waterfall and furthermore. it never runs out. Yet it is always contained in your hand and freely poured out.

Hearts shout for joy with even a touch of your love for your love is warmer than a summer day.
Your love is steadfast and is a fortress forever to those who place their trust in you.

What Love Is
Love is caring
Love is sharing
Love is taking time to understand another s need
Love is responsible
Love is wise
Love rejoices It also reaches out to comfort the heart that cry's
Love flows  in the heart peacefully like a mountain stream
It is more beautiful than any dream
It lives it grows with each new day
It folds it's hands to pray
Love is reflected in a mother's caring ways
A glow on a father's face
A sparkle in a child's eye
Love is the greatest treasure
It's worth you can not properly measure