death is ******* the living
as so many times
when death comes a-knocking
death leaves someone behind
to do all the grieving
in an unmade bed
death in life is deceiving
to those who are left

death never quits
as death keeps tugging the cord
taking all it can with it
all that you can afford
death is not for the living
though you'd never know
nor is death forgiving
when it's your time to go

death is good at surprises
in perfecting the boo
too late you realize that
death scared the mess out of you
with no one to turn to
with no way to compare
what you just went through
when death grabs you by the short hairs
and takes you outta here

A paw print you left on our hearts
           Even though now we are apart
It’s not goodbye
               It’s see ya again
Then one day we’ll meet you
                At the rainbow bridges end....

                        Rip Binx

I started with my dress,
The white one with the black flowery design.
I added my black scarf, draping it
Casually around my head,
Trying to stop my thoughts from drifting
To what I was dressing up for.
I slipped on my sandals and then
Slipped out the door,
Not slamming it because that felt like
An ending.
I didn’t want another ending.
Walking into the church,
The temperature went up 50 degrees,
And my anxiety went up 100.
I shook hands with the extended family,
Hugged your widow,
And comforted your grandchildren.
I made it through the opening liturgy,
Your favorite hymn, and the obituary.
I even stopped my tears from falling
During your granddaughter’s touching eulogy,
When she started sobbing up there on the altar.
Afterwards, I sat through the meal,
Everything tasting like cardboard in
My mouth as the temperature kept increasing.
Near the end of the night,
When the church was clearing out,
I went back to the food,
Craving a final bite of cheesy potato casserole
Before I could finally leave this night behind.
Yet when I get there,
The tray is cleaned out,
And there is no more cheesy potato casserole.
That’s when I finally break down and sob.
I didn’t get that last bite of
Cheesy potato casserole.

I think of you whenever
I pass a donut shop.
I see you making coffee
And hovering over the dozen,
Making a game out of picking a donut.
I think of you whenever
I put up Christmas lights.
I see you in front of the church,
Stringing lights on the cross with
The agility of someone half your age.
I think of you whenever
I sit in Bible class.
I see you with your legs
Sprawled out on the pew,
Asking great questions and
Leading thoughtful discussions.
I think of you whenever
I see your grandchildren
Running around in the sun,
Enjoying the life that you gave them.
I think of you whenever
I think of heaven, and I know
That’s where you are, having
Coffee and donuts up in heaven
With your Maker.
Hallelujah!

The other day I posted “Today’s Challenge “
Be the cause to brighten someone’s day...
Little did I know I would be the cause to shed light for someone that day...

A couple came to my restaurant to enjoy some lunch
But to our surprise it was more then just a meal
We all got to talking, it was their first time here
Their son was in ICU at the hospital down the street
Immediately we recognized who they were taking about
Their son and his fiancé were in a motorcycle accident
Unfortunately, she did not survive
He was flown to the hospital, he was more then just broken inside

His parents told us that all he wanted after his 4th surgery so far
That all he wanted was a burger from Red Robin but it was too far
So we decided we would make one for him here
As close to the burger he wanted from Red Robin

I said to our waitress  
“I would like to pay for their meal”
She responded “I would like to as well”
So my husband, the waitress and I
Chipped in together and pay for their entire meal

When Kim (the waitress) had gone out to their table and told them they were good to go
In such disbelief the woman said “that’s not necessary, no”
We insisted we would pay for them, it’s the least we could do
They couple broke down crying and were so grateful to us ( more then we knew)

The next day, the woman came back to get another burger for his son
She explained to us that he absolutely loved his food
Saying “it was the best **** burger he has ever had”
Even though it’s not on our menu
We made it for you
We have now dubbed it the “Jason Burger” just for you!

Even though it wasn’t much
We felt we did good
Bringing light to someone’s day
Even if it was in a little way
          

         Challenge accepted
             Challenge accomplished

Please keep Jason and his family in your prayers
His body is literally broken and so is his heart
When I wrote that challenge that morning
I didn’t know my closest friends and I would the ones to find light in a dark place and bring joy to their hearts

A good friend
4 years in fact.
She's always been there,
not one fight shes always fair
The other day in a rush,
she slipped and said too much
The pain inside,
she tells me she started to transfer it outside
4 years she did a certain incident,
4 years what a coincidence
I had no clue,
that her skies were anything but blue
Turns out no one knew,
which is nothing new
I cried the entire night,
scared she'd find the light
Trying to find a way,
to take her pain away
So much happen,
I can't even fathom
What she went through,
for a good minute, I didn't even think it was true
But that you can't fake,
my happiness it did take
I should have known,
maybe could have stopped those actions I condone
I thought her smile was real,
turns out she couldn't deal
didn't let anyone in
didn't let it out
kept it in
till it took resident upon her skin
I called her my best friend
but I couldn't see
the sadness swallowing her
guilt is all I feel
I couldn't help her when she needed me the most
what kind of friend
is that?