Thought for the day

Said the robin to the sparrow:
"I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so."
Said the sparrow to the robin:
"Friend, I think that it must be,
That they have no Heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me."

~Elizabeth Cheney

Summer Rains

Here is a picture taken after hurricane Ike.

This has been an unusually dry summer. In fact, we are in a drought and the grass is beginning to die. Let's all pray for rain. Here is a poem I wrote reflecting upon my childhood summers:

Summer Rains~ by Laurie Kolp

Memories of my childhood summers

fill me with warmth and happiness

as I recall the great times;

swimming like a fish,

sleeping like a bear,

sunning like a goddess,

having fun at the beach,

weekly trips to the library.

Perhaps the most disappointing

summer memory I have as a child

is the hot afternoon rains that would

invariably come at inopportune times

causing me to miss scheduled

tennis lessons I couldn't wait for,

swimming lessons I loved,

and birthday parties in the park.

The rains would come down

predictably each day

causing anxiety and disappointment,

but then, just as quickly as they came,

the rains would go away.

My Hero, My Husband

Since I am making the time from now until July 4th a somewhat patriotic tribute to the wonderful USA, I wanted to share with you a poem I wrote in one of my poetry groups about heroes. This is dedicated to my true hero- the one and only hero in my life- my sweet husband Pete. I love him so much and am so proud of who he is, what he stands for and what he has sacrificed for our country. He is the best husband and father anyone could ever hope to have, so here's to you Pete:

My Husband, My Hero

by Laurie Kolp

My hero is my husband
Let me tell you why-
He spent time in the Marines,
And is such a super guy.

Pete has been known
To give a stranger his coat,
Someone under a bridge
Whose life was in a tote.

My great hero Pete,
Panama did he invade
To overtake Noriega
And imprison this renegade.

My husband is the kindest man
That you could ever meet,
And through all his experience
He has become wise and complete.

Poor thing lost his mother at fourteen
From a long bout with Leukemia,
So he had to help his father
Raise the kids and ensure their academia.

Years later Pete's father became ill
And died from pancreatic cancer.
While Pete was in his twenties
He began searching for some answers.

The military helped give Pete guidance
And with benefits, he finished college.
Soon he felt the time was right to settle down,
He married me and now he shares his knowledge.

Together we have three beautiful children

To which Pete is the greatest father.

He spends all his extra time with us,

For anything else to do, there is no other.

I love you, Pete- you are my hero.

A fact I hope you never forget.

My life with you is blessed, indeed

And choosing you, I have no regret.

Happy Birthday, Nicholas!

Nicholas

Born on Friday the 13th,
At 9:08 AM,
My baby Nicholas
Came out rather slim.
7 pounds and 9 ounces
And 20 inches long,
Compared to his nine pound brother,
Nick’s delivery was like a song.
I felt the angels singing
The day that he was born,
And since Nick’s been in my life
He has, like music, cheered me up when I’m forlorn.
For my dear sweet Nicholas has a way
Of inching right into your heart
And when he is around
That’s when the party starts!

Happy 6th birthday, my dear, sweet Nicholas!

In the News

Today on my poetry blog we had to write a poem that had a news headline as the title. Can you believe that when I opened up this morning's paper, the headline was about CARDINALS?
(Lamar, that is).

Cardinal Turf

"Cardinal Turf" is what the headlines read
about the local college, bringing football back ahead.
Years have passed since Lamar had a football team;
basketball, baseball and golf have ruled this college scene.
But when I read these glaring headlines in the 'Beaumont Enterprise,'
I was taken a few steps back, much to my surprise.
A football team did not come to mind when I read these great big words,
instead I was reminded of my true friend~ my bright red birds.
My cardinals, you see, appear to me, in times of dire need
as a reminder of God's true love, and Mary who died too young, indeed.

Airplane Thoughts

Sitting in this airplane
I nervously chew gum
as I glance at all the people
wondering if any has a gun.

My mind wanders back
to the flights in 2001,
when terrorists took over
and killed everyone.

I look at my sweet family
and say a little prayer,
for the turbulence is awful
today up in the air.

But despite all these fears,
sinus pressure and unease,
flying beats two days driving
and our trip to Florida was a breeze.

Dirty Laundry

I wrote this poem today while sitting in the downtown theatre during Katie's dance practices and dress rehearsal. We had enough time to come home for an early dinner, and since I am constantly doing laundry, I did a load while we were home. I did not think much of the fact that four different colored crayons were in the bottom of the washing machine when I put the clothes in the dryer. That is, not until I went to fold the clothes. They were all ruined! Crayons stain clothes, friends, just like ink. This happened last week to one of Pete's nice dress shirts. We were stumped at what the black marks could be, since he uses blue pens. Shout did NOT remove the stains, so we had to throw the brand new shirt away. And, yes, we will have to throw away the whole load of the kids school clothes- they are all marked up with red, yellow, orange and blue. I have a feeling I know who has been storing crayons in his pants pockets. I guess I'll have to start digging through them before I wash - sigh- as if I had the time. Anyway, here is the poem inspired from the events of my day:

Dirty Laundry
by Laurie Kolp

"It will all come out in the wash,"
so the old saying goes.
Were they talking about family secrets,
or crayon stains on clothes?

Dirty laundry can be deceiving,
and sometimes seem quite mean.
But do your mother a favor,
and keep your pockets clean.

Good night everyone!!

Through the Rain

Through the Rain

Broken bones, baseball games,
dance recital practices, oh my!
Homework,reports and carnivals, too.
The end of school this year
has me feeling overwhelmed
like I belong in a zoo!
Where is the peace and serenity
I had just last weekend
when I left the ACTS retreat?
A song in my head, I happily sang,
love of God pouring from my heart.
Oh, how I relish that feeling so sweet.
They said life’s challenges would still await,
for reality can often bite you in the ass.
Just remember the times of peace I had;
the silent reflection, prayer and sharing,
fun times of laughing and acting silly, too,
and with God close by, things aren’t so bad.
Now I take on all life’s battles
with a renewed vim and vigor.
I will walk through the pain,
because faith will carry me through.
With God to lighten the load,
I can walk calmly through the rain.

Mr. Turtle

This is a poem I wrote today for the PAD challenge, which ends this Thursday. Thanks to a wonderful gift from our neighbor, and our stupidity at placing a turtle in a shallow bowl, we now have a turtle loose in the house!

Mr. Turtle longs to be
outside by a pond where he
can bask in the early morning
sunlight or sleep in his portable
home under a big oak tree.
Instead, Mr. Turtle is being
held prisoner in a home of noisy,
unruly children and two ferocious
dogs, having escaped from a small
bowl and frantically searching for a
way outside to his family.

Today for the PADchallenge, we had to write an angry poem. Here's mine.

Teenage Drivers

That hot summer day
four years ago
when you looked down
to change the radio station
while driving fast
in your big white truck
on a curvy neighborhood street
and rammed into
my husband's small car
while he was innocently
driving home from church
with the three young kids,
changing our Saturn
into an accordian,
crushing my husband's neck
and ruining our serene life
changed my family forever.
I hate you for that,
irresponsible teenage driver!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Here's a poem I wrote for the PAD challenge:

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

There are many ways
to say "I love you,"
like "Je t'aime,"
or "Te amo,"
or "Ti voglio bene."

But perhaps the sweetest way
to show your love for thee,
is to do thoughtful things;
for action is proof
of love you can see.

A thoughtful note,
in praise of your loved one,
or a picnic for two;
out in the sun,
walking hand in hand
through good times and bad,
being the one to lift
spirits that are sad.
A song sung or
poem written for thee;
all of these things
make our love
a lasting memory.

The Last Friday

April is National Poetry Awareness month, so a poetry group I am a member of is writing a poem a day. The chair of the blog gives us prompts each day and we post our poem for everyone to read and critique. Today's prompt was to write something about Friday. Since this is a very significant day for me, I wrote this poem I'd like to share.

The Last Friday

I last saw her on Good Friday a year ago.
We sat side by side in a church meeting
and she wrote "I love you" in a note just so.
A bond as strong as sisters is what we shared,
always there for each other, showing that we cared.
Jeans and a t-shirt is what she wore.
When we walked outside, she jumped for joy,
shouting, "It's a beautiful day-
I want to go out and play."
That is why I was so blown away
when I learned she killed herself
the very next day.

Wrecks, Hurricanes, Debts and Deaths

My Guide

Pardon me if I seem kind of bitter,
I have had a lot on my mind.
These past four years have been hell for me,
Life has not been treating me real kind.
Foremost on my mind is my family
Involved in a horrible car wreck
Totalled our car, put us in great debt
And injured my husband’s sweet neck.
Next has been the death of Mary,
A great friend I had found at last
Who could not deal with her problems
Put behind her a terrible past.
Then we’ve had two huge hurricanes
That have wreaked havoc on our life so dear
Uprooted our family for months on end
Causing damage to last through the year.
But all of this is behind me
And things are getting better each day
Because I have God to guide me
Who leads me and shows me the way.

Time Heals...

A Plan

Have some fun
in the sun.
Go for a run
or walk with hon.
Forget the gun
that stole your sun
a year ago, one.
Start anew,
take care of you,
always be true-
this I will do.

Kissing Babies

Oh, to love like that, so sweet and innocent.

There is no doubt - babies are heaven sent!

Camden and Katelyn- two cousins are they,

I hope they remind you to have a great day!

Update and a Poem

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Mary's horrible death.
I have posted some pictures to share because I am at a loss of words right now. You see, Pete and I just got back from the cemetery. We found the baseball, right where David had placed it and left flowers from Jeni and the cardinal figurine from David. I had tried to reach the cemetery yesterday so that we could find Mary's exact burial spot, but will have to wait until tomorrow when they are open. I plan on going back again soon and placing some kind of temporary marker until the headstone comes in.

This picture is Mary's brother, David, and I at the cemetery Friday.

These are the flowers taken in Pete's car on our way to the cemetery. Pretty, huh?

Here is a picture of the flowers, cardinal and baseball.
Two Friends by Laurie Kolp

(dedicated and written for her friend Mary)


True friendship was found in autumn
between two women who were
bound by the similarities of their past.

In winter they visited over coffee daily
as they shared their hopes and dreams
creating a bond that would last.

Spring blossomed like a flower of promise
and hope that their friendship could get
them through life’s troubles so vast.

Until the day before Easter
when their friendship died.
One took her very life
and the other survived.

Now they continue as friends,
for their bond would not end
only seeing each other
as feelings within.

Spring's Promise

Spring, so bright and colorful,

full of promise fresh and new;

a chance to start all over again,

living life, warm and true.

Grass so green, flowers so bright,

a picture perfect setting for the eye.

The smell so sweet, songs of the birds-

don't let this glorious time pass you by.

Courage, Cardinals and Love

Here is a poem I wrote and I thought with Valentine's day coming up, I would post it. Have a love-filled week!


Courage, Cardinals and Love by Laurie Kolp

Red is the color of
Courage, Cardinals and love.

Courage to be brave and fight
even when you know things aren’t right.

Cardinals that faithfully appear
in times of sadness and great fear.

Love, a feeling so true
of acceptance and comfort the whole day through.

May your life be forever filled with red-
Courage, Cardinals and love, in the days ahead.

Sick Kids, Art Shows and Achiness, Oh My!

Sick kids, art shows and achiness, oh my!
My kids are sick and can't get well
and the big art show is looming.
Ms. Angelle's back hurts like Hell
and she keeps calling me a-fuming.
I have deadlines to meet and doctors to see;
people who think I have time are assuming.
So I keep trying my best to keep up with the rest
while juggling these obligations I'm pursuing.
I'm tired and sick and lagging behind
because I AM STUCK IN A CYCLE OF OVERDOING!
Sick kids, art shows and achiness, oh my!
Please pray that I get through this rough time by and by.

Oh Where, Oh Where Has Pete's Aggie Ring Gone?

(Sing to tune of nursery rhyme "Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?")

Oh where, oh where has Pete’s Aggie ring gone?
Oh where, oh where can it be?
We’ve searched high and low, backtracked our steps
And still wind up empty-handedly.

Come back, come back dear old Aggie ring,
Come back to Pete quickly!
We are not the same without you in our lives
And by our sides faithfully.