HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday dear Mandi. I love you so much and I am so proud of you. I smile when I see your creativity, I can see your Grandma in so many things you do and say. I know she is proud of you too baby. I love you.

WHAT IF.....

After looking at this picture of my Great Grandfather Joshua Mullins and my Great Great Grandparents Daniel Duff and Susan Mullins, I began to daydream of their lives. For you see, the further I can see back in time, the more I realize it's a miracle for me to be on this earth. What if.... Abraham DeMoulin and his wife had been discovered as they left France to come to Jamestown Virginia aboard the Ship Mary and Ann to escape religious persecution. What if..... William Grancer (Mullen) had not met his beautiful wife and had their sweet daughter Mary Agnes (Mullins). What if Edward Polly (Mary Agnes' husband) had been killed during the Revolutionary War. What if..... Randolph Polly had not escaped after being held prisoner during the Civil War. What if Daniel Duff Mullins the Rebel had killed a man that he had great love and respect for, Valentine, his Yankee enemy, his beloved father-in-law. Each one of these is a grandparent of mine, no matter how many generations ago. If their lives had not been spared, or they had loved a different woman, or chose a different road..... I wouldn't be here today. I am thankful for those that went before me, and I love them each and every one. I am who I am because of these people. Isn't it an amazing thing to look back thru time and see how paths crossed, how God protected, how faith survived. I don't see these people as dry bones, and long forgotten. I see them living and breathing, within my own soul and spirit. I hear their wisdom with my heart. I feel their love as I stand over the hallowed ground where they rest. I am proud of my Eastern Kentucky heritage. The faithful beloved mountains sheltered my family many many years, and gave forth an abundance of food and fare that kept and sustained them during the hard times. These same mountains cradle my loved ones, until the trumpet shall sound. What a glorious day that will be indeed.

MASTERPIECE

God amazes me with His marvelous creation. The sun just rising over the ocean.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

GOD COULD HAVE

God could have painted all of it
in simple black and white
Or gave us only color
of a golden sunlight

He could have made flowers with
no bloom or no scent
But He wanted us to know
they were heaven sent

He could have left the trees in the
state of winter
But instead he gave them leaves
to shade us from the weather

He could have made the sky
as dark as miner's coal
But instead he made it blue
with hues of kings gold

If you only look around and
consider it all
How can your heart say
there really is no God

©2010 Mikki Jo Howard

In Honor Of My Dear Mother

MOM

How wonderful it is to be reminded of special moments with you, Mom. The beauty of a sunrise reminds me of your love for God's beauty. A sunset reminds me of your beauty. An intricate woven dishcloth makes me think of your amazing talents of weaving and knitting and other primitive crafting. As simple and diverse come together to make a beautiful masterpiece, so was you my Mother, simple, yet intricately diverse, in your character, your love for family, your faith and your strength.
You had the gentleness of a newborn babe, and the courage of a highly decorated warrior. You were tender, but stern. You were tolerant and open-minded, but very opinionated. You were dedicated. You could be meek and mild mannered, but turn into a roaring lion when it came to your children.
When I hear a hymn I wish it was you singing. When I see a rainbow I wish you were standing next to me. When I pray I ask God to kiss you for me and tell you I love you. When I dream, I hope it is of you. When my grandbabies say something cute, I hope you hear. When I learn a new crochet stitch or knit a new pair of socks I want to say, "Look Mom!" I hope you see.
When spring boasts its new life and color, I hear your laughter. When fall blankets us with warm hues I see your eyes. When winter brings blowing snows, I feel your warmth. When the gentle summer evening brings a welcome breeze, I feel your breath upon my cheek.
The day you left I felt as if the world should cease to exist. I was shocked to see that birds still sang, flowers continued to bloom, and the sun still rose and set. But now I see beautiful reminders of you in each one, and I'm thankful for that.
I honor your memory today Mom, not because it's a special day, but because it's another day without you.
© 2010 Mikki Jo Howard

WHAT KIND OF MAN

WHAT KIND OF MAN

He missed his baby's birth
and the chance to hold her close
He missed her first words
but this is what he chose

He was nowhere near
when his son graduated
But a simple letter home
and the son was elated

An old woman grows more frail
as she offers one more prayer
She dies all alone
Her grand son isn't there

A young Mother struggles
with car and home repairs
Left all alone
with a burden she can't share

Still yet a husband sits
with his wife as they grieve
There son wasn't there
to fill the empty seat

What kind of man
could be so cruel
To abandon a loved one
why he must be a fool

What kind of man you ask
could live such a life
Our American Soldier is who
your freedom takes sacrifice

© 2010 Mikki Jo Howard

LOVE SONG

Holding close to my heart
the warmth of by gone days
Only letting go awhile
to glimpse Heaven's Gates.

Taking in the fragrant breeze
that dances with the oak
Sun upon my face so warm
I wander down the road.

Home is where my heart is
I long no more to roam
Only life's breath holds me
'Til God shall call me home.

Time is not my friend
for it holds me prisoner
Stealing precious moments
that could be spent with her.

Songbirds sing to me
a love song sweet
Telling me to rise
"Rise, to your feet!".

"Eternity awaits you friend"
the melody sang loud
"Come home my son,
she's waiting for you now."
©2010 Mikki Jo Howard