The twenty-one gun salute
that pierced your soul at the funeral
of your grandfather,
Col. Robert Corbin Lowry,
was a fitting tribute
to a man who loved you dearly;
a soldier who fought bravely,
led his men with compassion,
humbly carried the scars of service,
and endured each Fourth of July
as too-noisy a reminder of the shots
that pierced his soul in Vietnam.
As you live your life,
honor him
by continuing to be
the granddaughter
in whom he was so proud.
You have always done that well.

©2002 Michael S Davis

The moments fly by in our busy, busy lives,
And in our hurried moments, we fling our hi’s and bye’s.
I have cherished every kiss and moment that we’ve shared,
But didn’t understand at all, until at death I stared.
In that awful moment, I saw our selves apart
And understood that I love you with every beat of my heart.

©2007 Michael S Davis

How can I explain the freedom
Our love has given us;
Freedom to be ourselves
Without  pretense or a fuss.

Into each others' eyes we gaze
And see a wonder there
That transcends the whole wide world
With a trust so rare.

It’s a freedom we cant’ hide
And threatens those in chains,
Who can’t understand our love
And must tolerate their pains.

So, we just live in patience
And endure this time apart,
Knowing we have this freedom
That comes only from the heart.

©1998 Michael S Davis

It seems a lifetime of years ago,
a precious child was born,
full of hope and promise
like the sunrise every morn.
In the years from that day since,
she’s faced many a circumstance.
some would bring her loving joy,
others painful hurt;
but in the sunrises now ahead,
one thing we can assert . . .
This precious much loved child,
now a woman full grown,
has a future as full of hope and promise
as on the day that she was born.

©2013 Michael S Davis

Getting married. Again?
The burden of shame
many would insist you bear,
is not theirs to place upon you.

So, I give this blessing
as you begin this new chapter in your life.

May you find in this union…

The belonging that God has always wanted
you to experience in marriage;

The joy that only comes when two hearts beat as one;

The completeness that can only be experienced
when the one you love, loves you back;

The pleasure that flows from being safe with someone;

The comfort you can experience when you kiss each others' scars.

And may the love you celebrate
enrich the love of all you two-as-one may touch.

©2009 Michael S Davis

It’s so hard.
You want to do the right thing, things.
Your children are so precious and so in need of your care.
You ask yourself, “How can I do it?”
You don’t know the answers.
You’re scared.
You don't know what to do.
You don't know anyone you can depend on.
I know what you can depend on.
It’s what you have always relied on.
It’s the reason there has always been food on the table.
It’s the reason there has always been a roof over your head.
It’s the reason you have three beautiful children.
It’s the reason you have overcome every painful obstacle
this old world has put in your path.
It’s the reason you love so freely.
It’s the reason you’re loved so deeply.
You know it’s always been true.
God has promised “I will be with you!”
You can depend on that.
You can depend on Him.
That’s why you are going to make it.
That’s why all of your needs will be met.
That’s why you will be able to take care of your children.
Listen and believe, as God whispers in your ear,
“I will be with you.”

©2013 Michael S. Davis