Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kwanzaa
2003 Kwanzaa celebration with its founder, Maulana Karenga, and others
Observed by	African Americans, parts of African diaspora
Type	Cultural and ethnic
Significance	Celebrates African heritage, unity, and culture.
Celebrations	Unity Creativity Faith Giving gifts
Date	December 26 to January 1
Related to	Pan-Africanism

Kwanzaa (/ˈkwɑːn.zə/) is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.^[1] Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67.
History and etymology

Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1965 as the first specifically African-American holiday.^[2] According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest".^[3] The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s, although most of the Atlantic slave trade that brought African people to America originated in West Africa.^[4]
Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s and was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzo Saba, the "seven principles of African Heritage" which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy". For Karenga, a major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored an essential premise that "you must have a cultural revolution before before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose and direction."^[5]
During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said that it was meant to be an "oppositional alternative" to Christmas.^[6] However, as Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so that practicing Christians would not be alienated, then stating in the 1997 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."
Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.^[7]

Principles and symbols

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise *Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

• Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
• Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
• Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
• Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed: corn (Mahindi) and other crops, a candle holder kinara with
seven candles (Mishumaa Saba), a communal cup for pouring libation (Kikombe cha Umoja), gifts (Zawadi), a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.^[8]

Observance

They Endured

Through the degradation of slavery,
They endured.
Their lives were not their own,
but they endured.
When their families were ripped apart,
They endured.
Nothing broke their determination.
Nothing broke their spirit.
Through it all,
They endured!
We must embody their spirit;
Remembering that their strength
and their determination
dwells within us.
Every time we are paralyzed by fear;
Whenever we become weak,
Remember.
When we feel the desire to quit,
Remember
Every time we become discouraged,
Remember.
When we are knocked to our knees,
Remember.
Never surrender to defeat.
Stand tall on your feet.
Keep striving.
Keep believing.
Stand your ground,
and you will abound
Amidst strong winds
Like those to whom we are kin.
It is your duty and mine
To leave something worthwhile behind,
Because through it all,
They endured.
For you and I, they endured.
Thank God, they endured!

copyright Patricia Newman-Harris 2014, Living the Dream

Happy Holidays--One Night-One Star, One Child

Wishing everyone who has listened to what I have shared through the written word, a very special holiday season.    I hope this year that I, in some way, have offered inspiration where it was need. I hope thoughts were provoked and lives were changed.  I am not a preacher or a teacher, just someone who wishes to inspire by sharing my thoughts.  I am far from perfect, and a lot of what I write also helps me to continue striving for that mark.  For me, writing  heals the wounds that life inflicts.  I hope and pray it does the same for yo


Let Your Heart Follow that Star


One night,
One star shining bright
Showed the way
To the manger where he lay.
The same star shines bright today
Lighting our way.
When you are feeling lost,
Let your heart follow that star
And he will be where you are.
He knows exactly where you are.
He sees you in that cold prison cell.
He knows your story well.
He doesn’t care
How you got there.
He loves you just as you are.
Just let your heart follow, follow,
Follow that star,
And he will be where you are.
To those spending Christmas alone.
If you make your heart his home,
You will never be alone.
Young mother, don’t despair.
Your heart will soon repair.
He knows you are feeling broken and unloved,
But his signature is love.
If you let him sign his name on your heart,
He will never ever part.
His love for us goes beyond Christmas Day.
It is ours to have and hold
Each and every day.
You don’t have to worry about being played.
He will never break the vow he made.
Young soldier stationed far from home.
No matter how far you roam,
You are never too far from home.
I hope you know
He will follow you wherever you go.
When you are out on a deserted hill,
He is with you still.
When you lose your way,
The light of his star
Will show you the way.
To that pilot who can’t see where to fly
On the darkest night,
His star will brighten the sky
Just let your heart follow, follow,
Follow, that star
And he will be wherever you are.
He will show you the way.
This Christmas day,
No matter what you are going through,
He will be there for you.
If you believe.
Believe and let your heart follow,
Follow, follow,
Follow that star
He will be where ever you are.

2014 Patricia Newman-Harris

Remembering San Bernardino and those lost...Only Love contd.

It is hard to believe that a year ago, we lost some of our own so unexpectedly.     An act of violence can never been considered an act of sacrifice.  God doesn't ask for such a sacrifice.  He deals in life and love.    Love and hate cannot dwell in the same place at the same time.  Nothing can justify such violence.  Nothing.  Love is a choice.  I pray it is a choice we all will make.

If we can imagine the world as a global sphere to which we all can relate
We can put an end to hate.

No matter where we are on the circumference of the whole,
We share the universal globe.

The view from the bottom to the top
Only changes with the view we've got.

Whether we stand in Africa, China or the USA,
We are standing on the the same global sphere.

Whether we are white or black, yellow or brown,
The world we share is the same all around.

As a part of the whole,
We share a universal soul.

The pain of one is the pain of another.
We are all brothers.

There is no need to fear, no need to hate
Because the world is a global sphere to which all can relate.

We should have one aim, one goal...
To protect the whole.


Patricia Newman-Harris
12/2015

Happy Thanksgiving--pray for peace

To the war torn countries of the world

For you I say this prayer today

To Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq , to Jerusalem, Sararjevo,

Beirut, Belfast, Africa, Kuwait, Mongolia and to the world.

May God let his peace rain from shore to shore,

cleansing hardened hearts from hatreds of generations past.

May the winds of unrest be stilled at last,

May God open blinded eyes and allow them to

view the world afresh and new.

      May he shut the bowels of anger, hatred and wrath

And lead us down a path of mercy, kindness and love.

May broken spirits be repaired

and old wounds healed.

I pray for the children of the world, that they

will remain untouched by the violence their young

eyes have seen.

May God raise up amongst them leaders who will teach the

way of peace, godliness and love.

I pray that these young men and women

will never have the desire to solve their differences

with weapons or missiles, but instead will work

together to solve their differences peacefully.

I pray that they will not fight without purpose or cause,

but, will choose to stand for what is decent and right.

I pray for those who have lost their lives needlessly.

For their families and loved ones, I ask for comfort and healing.

I ask that you would fill us with your love.

Give us a heart of understanding and a tolerance for diversity

in race, color, nationality and customs.

Teach us how to love one another with the same love

wherein you have loved us, unconditionally and without merit.

I pray that we will not judge one another,

but will grant one another the grace and mercy God has shown us.

                                                   God grant us your sweet Shalom.

coyright P Newman-Harris



                                                

Death of a President--In Memory of President John F. Kennedy

Born: May 29, 1917, Brookline, MA

Assassinated November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas

I remember November 22, 1963 as if it were yesterday.  I can remember exactly where I was when the death of President John F. Kennedy was announced.  I remember the shock and disbelief, the inevitable acceptance of the reality that he was gone, and the grief that followed a long time after.

I was a young black girl in high school at the time, but I felt the loss as if he was a member of our family.  We had come to know and love him as a man of compassion, understanding, determination and integrity.   I had heard many people say he was a breath of fresh air to a nation that was dying from the cancer of racism; that he represented hope for a cure to that seemingly incurable disease, and finally that he was their light in the midst of darkness

As a teenager, having grown up in the south, there was a depth and understanding, that, to me,  could only come from having experienced racism first hand.  I could sense the deep hopelessness that my parents felt at the time of the President's assassination, but I could never really know all that they felt.  Having lived in the south most of their life, they had experienced far more years of racism than I had experienced in my short years on this earth.

Looking back on that day, I can now understand the depth and extent of their grief as they watched President Kennedy's body proceed to Arlington National Cemetery and listened to the final taps echo in the distant sky.   I now know that they wept and grieved the death of a promise of hope that was buried on that fated day in 1963.

In Memory of President Kennedy and all who have lost their lives in the name of peace and equality

Only Love ..Part 4 Tribute to those who lost their lives in France

I'd like to offer my condolences to the family of those who lost loved ones both in the downing of the Russian jet and to those lost in the terrorist attacks in France.  I am saddened by the loss of innocent lives anywhere on this continent.  As the world stood with us during the 911 attacks, we stand with Russia and France during their loss.  Hatred has struck again, but those who stand for peace, will continue to stand united against hatred in any form.  It is easy for to become divided in our separate beliefs, but tragedy and grief unites us all.  It transcends any barriers, whether it be race, nationality or religion.  It is hard to believe that murder can be justified by anyone who considers himself humane.   No one can justify repairing what they see as wrong with hatred.  You can't build a firm foundation, you can't change a nation and you most certainly cannot change the world.    I started the series Only Love, because I believe that love is the only answer for the world today, tomorrow and forever more.

One Heart, One Mind

When I think of the years,
The unnecessary tears,
The agony, the shame;
The anger and the pain
That comes from being hurt
again and again,
I wonder if we will ever
live together peacefully.
Will we always war needlessly?
It doesn't matter who we are
or where we a from.
Life is the same for everyone.
If we open our hearts,
we will find,
We have one heart and one mind.
When time is no more,
Our differences won't matter anymore.
Regardless of what language we speak,
There is commonality in what we seek.
No mater where we live our goals and our aims
Are the same.
Everybody cries
When someone they love dies.
There is no difference in our tears.
We share the same fears.
We have different faces and different names,
But inside we are the same.
It's time we realized
We have common ties.
When we get down to the heart of the matter,
That is all that matters.
It's not the color of our skin,
Where we have been,
Or whether we are a King or Queen.
It doesn't matter where we live in the world.
One day, we must leave this world.
If we continue to hate,
This will be our shared fate;
Wars on every hand
And the deterioration of man.
We brag about how far we have come,
But if we never learn to live as one,
Our accomplishments will be as dung.
They will be of no significance to anyone
We must live as a people, undefined by station or place,
Inseparable by color or race.
We can't rewrite history,
But we can change what is to be
When we realize that we are not only kindred spirits,
We are a perfect fit on the tapestry of mankind.
With one heart and one mind,
Peace will finally be ours to find.

Copyright 2015 by Patricia Newman Harris,  Living the Dream

All over the world.  Let's pray for peace!

In Honor of Our Veterans..We Honor You, and We Thank You

To the men and women who towed the line,

Walked on mines,

Kept watch through the night

Until the dawn’s early light.

To those who left family and friends behind,

Gave freely of their time.

To those who postponed their dreams

So we could know what freedom means.

How do we say thank you?

How do we repay a debt like yours?

You sailed to foreign shores

Never knowing if you would ever be back.

You came under constant attack,

But you never said no to the call.

You gave it your all.

The opportunities we enjoy

Came at great expense.

You provided our defense.

You bore the hurt and pain

Without shame,

Without fear.

Because of you, we are still here,

Standing strong on your behalf.

In your honor, we fly our flags at half-staff.

We raise our hands in salute to you,

Because this is what we do.

You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.

No, you will never be forgotten.

Every Memorial Day, you are there.

Every Independence Day you are there,

Every Veteran’s Day, you are there.

Every victory we celebrate, you are there.

Every flag that we raise,

Every moment of praise

Is not ours alone.
You have made America our home.

From every hillside and plain,

We proudly speak your name.

Because of you America is America,

And will always be, America.

Because of you, we can still sing of her spacious skies

And purple mountains majesty.

You made America the beautiful country we see.

America

Our country, our home

Because of you we can proudly sing,

Let freedom ring!

Long live freedom,

Long live liberty,

Long live America,

Our country, our home.

copyright 2015 Patricia Newman-Harris

Part 3--Only Love..All we Need is Love

People everywhere

need someone to care.

In a world without love

No one survives

No one can stay alive.

Until we function as one,

Peace will never come

Why is it so hard for us to see?

We are talking basic humanity.

No matter where we live,

No matter our circumstance,

We all deserve a chance.

You may think you have the homeless man beat,

But the face of the homeless changes all the time

It could be yours or mine.

We need to find common ground.

There is a sacred place where we all can abound.

If we think we can do it alone,

We may as well pack up and go home.

We don’t need a New Year’s resolution.

There is a solution.

The answer lies in the heavens above.

All we need-is love.

We don’t have to search our minds,

The answers ours to find.

We don’t need a fortune-teller

Or astrologist.

We don’t need a sociologist or psychologist.

There is no mystery,

No special key

To unlock a secret passage way

We can solve our problems today.

The answer has been here all the time

Written in verse and line.

We don’t have to solve the case.

It is as clear as the nose on our face.

There is no special fix,

No chemicals to mix

There is an answer.

There is a way.

Narrow is the road that leads therein,

It won’t be known by all men.

Only those who hear the call

Will see the light.

Others will spend a lifetime

Hopelessly searching for the light

When the answer has been there all the time

Written in verse and line.

The answer lies in the heavens above

All we need is love.

copyright 2015 Patricia Newman-Harris

What is My Name?--Part Two of Only Love Series

I raised my head long ago

I’ve taken the life of people you well-know.

Great men have died at my hands,

Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy,

Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King,

And Malcolm X.

You could be next.

One of my greatest kills

Was Emmett Till.

I travel the world over looking for a friend.

I enjoy watching innocent lives come to an end.

I create anger, frustration, division and schism.

My greatest accomplishment is racism.

I’ve started wars in every nation, country and land.

If it’s confusion you want, I’m your man.

No one is safe as long as I’m allowed to flourish.

I’ve never been malnourished.

I eat well everyday.

If you keep feeding me,

Your children will continue to be blown away;

There will be more and more Timothy McVeys.

Innocent lives will be lost.

You will pay the cost.

Children and babies have been taken in my name.

I have no shame.

Death is my game.

Hate is my name!

Copyright 2015 Patricia Newman Harris

Believe in Who You Are

Believe in Who You Are

Believe in who you are
And you will go far.
Not because I told you so,
But because you know.
Believe it.
Receive it.
Big, thin, tall,
Short or small;
Red, yellow brown, white or black
Your deck is stacked.
Height, color nor race
Defines your place.
Apart from these things, you can rise.
You can be anything you want to be;
Do anything you want to do.
No one can stop you except you.
No one can place limits on your dreams.
So, dream, dream, dream;
Soar, soar, soar;
Straight through that open door.
There is no one like you.
You are unique and perfect in your own way.
No one can take your faith away.
Believe it
Receive it
Not because I told you so,
But because you know.
Beauty comes in ever color of the rainbow
That is what makes it uniquely so.
You are beautiful.
You've got to know;
Not just because I told you so,
But because you know.

Copyright 2014 Patricia-Newman Harris, Living the Dream

Keep Knocking

In case you wonder why I started this poetry blog, it was to encourage others to follow their dreams.  I went through the greater part of my life missing out on opportunities due to feeling insecure in my own abilities.  Because of this, I missed out on a lot of things.  I've had a love and a passion for singing since I was very young, and I never allowed myself to pursue that passion.  Whatever your passion is, pursue it with your whole heart.  Never quit.  Door after door may close in your face, but just keep knock, knock, knocking on the door. 

When your hopes are crushed to the floor,
And you don't know what to do any more
You can have all you want and more
Just keep knock, knock, knocking on the door.
When it finally opens for you,
You can walk right on through.
If you land in the bottom four,
Don't worry about your score.
Inside you may be dying,
But never stop trying.
Rome wasn't built in a day
Your dreams may seem light years away,
But you will find what you are looking for.
Just keep knock, knock, knocking on the door.
When it seems as if your faith is shattered,
And all your dreams begin to scatter,
Don't give up.
Don't give in.
One day you will win.
Don't become discouraged by the wait.
Keep the faith!
Fear is nothing but a word.
Your prayers have been heard.
God knows every dream that belongs to you.
He wants to make your dreams come true.
Trust and believe that he can.
He holds your future in his hands.
He will bring everything to past
Just remain steadfast.
You can have everything you want and more.
Just keep knock, knock, knocking on the door.
If you place your dreams in the hands of man,
Like words written in the sand,
They will wash away
The very same day.
When God writes your dreams on his heart,
They will never ever part.
Great things are yet in store.
Just keep knock, knock, knocking on the door.

Copyright 2014 by Patricia Newman-Harris, Living the Dream

Uniqueness of Life

The most beautiful things about us is that none of us are exactly the same.  God has given us the beauty of diversity.  Celebrate your creativity, celebrate your individuality, celebrate you in all your beauty.

Uniqueness of Life

The beauty of life is that God does nothing twice.
There is a uniqueness of life.
No two of us are exactly the same
In life, we have to make our own name.
I can't be you and you can't be me.
We have to plant our own tree.
You can't be Koby, Kareem, Stevie,
Oprah or Beyonce
Here's what I'm trying to say.
Do it your own way!
We enter this world with a clean slate.
Our time here on earth consists of what we create.
In time,
We will find our own design,
Harness our talent and make it out own.
Then, we have to water the seed we have sown.
Have faith in who you are
That one and only shining star
You, in your own individuality,
You, in your own, creativity.
If God has given you a song, sing your song.
If he has given you a picture to paint, paint your picture.
If he has given you a word to speak, speak the words he has given you.
Rest in the uniqueness of the gifts he has given you,
And your true spirit will not only shine through
God will earnestly bless everything you do.

Patricia Newman-Harris  copyright 2015

Tribute to Luther Vandross-My favorite balladeer

It's a little past the date of his death, July 1, but I came across this poem that I wrote a long time ago. 
Sometimes, you don't have to meet a person to feel their heart.  That is they way I felt about Luther Vandross.  I felt his heart through the words of his song.  Luther Vandross was my favorite singer.  Going to many of his concerts was a highpoint  in my life.  It's something I will always miss.  Those who know me well, know that he was, indeed, my Music Man.

Music Man

Music man, write a song for me
Play a tender rhapsody
Let my heart feel the rhythm of your melody.

Pluck my heart strings.
Make me feel like your Queen
Music man, play a song for me

Come be my private baladeer
Let your heartbeat play in my ear,
Music man, play a song for me.

Music man I want to hear you croon.
How you make me swoon.
Music man, sing a song for me

No need to write a symphony.
I simple "Du, du, du, du du" is enough for me.
Just write a song for me.

Music man say my name.
Things will never be the same
Just write a song for me.

Music man, let me be the mate of your soul.
Together, we will write a love story never told.
Write a song for me.

Gaze into my mind.
Love is all you'll find.
Together we can make sweet harmony
Just write a song for me.

Copyright Patricia Newman-Harris

This song is dedicated to all you Luther fans out there.

Gaze into my mind

Celebrating Independence Day...Happy July 4th

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember
our history, and let us determine as a nation, to
continue on a collective path of peace, hope and prosperity.
As a nation, we can create a tapestry that will last for
generations to come, one in which we all can take pride.
If we purpose in our hearts,
I know we can, I am a believer, that we can!

Living the Dream

In every land,

Every kingdom

Every corridor

Across the world

Someone died

Making the world

Better for you and I

For the cause of freedom

Men fought until nothing

Was left.

Some went to their death.

We are the seed they bore,

The fruit of their labor.

We are living their visions,

Manifesting their dreams.

We are flesh of their flesh,

Bone of their bone,

As we will be for our children

And our children’s children.

It is our duty to live with purpose

And with pride

Honoring those ancestral spirits

As if we were kin

To every man that died;

Every woman that cried,

Suffered loss,

Paid the cost.

They were not of different fiber than we.

We are made from the same tapestry.

To our ancestors we must remain true

By doing whatever we must do

To assure that their dreams of peace

Will never cease

Let every heart determine,

“Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.”

copyright Patricia Newman-Harris, Living the Dream, 2014

Tribute to South Carolina Victims... A Change is in the Wind

I know it is hard not to be discouraged by what we see,
but remember, the darkest hour is just before the dawn.
Only love will see us through these though times.

I had planned to post a poem entitled Only Love,
but due to computer problems, I am posting this poem.

A Change is in the Wind

A change is in the wind.

I know it is comings,

I just don’t know when

Talking drums beat a message of hope

over land and sea,

Hope for those living in abject poverty

A change is in the wind.

I know it is coming I just don’t know when

There will be a renewing rain

Washing hills and plains.

There will be an end to suffering and pain.

Nothing will be the same.

There will be economical gain

For a people who have lived under.

Unbearable strain.

Hold on.

A change is going to come.

No more dying little ones,

No more sickness and disease,

This will be a wind that frees.

All chains will be released

There will be an outpouring of peace.

My sisters and brothers,

Believe me when I say a change is coming.

I know it is coming.

Because talking drums are speaking

A message of hope over land and sea

No more burdens be.

They say it is time for you to drink

From the cup of mercy

So you can be free.

Hold on.

Hold on

To God’s amazing grace.

In time, you will be in a better place.

I know,

Yes, I know

A change is in the wind.

I know it’s coming;

I just don’t know when.

copyright 2014 Patricia Newman-Harris, Living Dream

Tribute to my Father--Letter to my Father

The first letter I wrote to my Dad was written in 2001.  This was written for Father's Day 2012,
only weeks after my Father passed.  It was one of the most difficult days in my life.  




A Letter to My Father

I can’t believe I made it to this day again

Not having you here.

I keep hoping that when I close my eyes,

magically, you will appear

Daddy,

I’ve always known you were one in a million.

That special one,

The one that surpassed the rest.

The best of the best.

I feel like I never told you enough

Just how special you were to me.

Mother’s hear it constantly,

But Father’s sometimes don’t often hear

The words I love you out loud.

I know those words would have made you proud.

I should have told you that, in my eyes,

You hung the moon and the stars,

That you were my superstar

My hero,

My champion

Of champions,

My father

Of father’s among men.

In your eyes this would have meant the world,

Because it was coming from your little girl.

No matter how old I was,

In your heart I held a special place.

It was written all over your face

I wish I would have said the words I kept in my heart
And in my mind.

That the best father in the world was mine.

Day after day somehow slipped pass.

Time moves so fast.

Daddy you have got to know

I miss you so.

On this side, I know I’ll never see you again,

But one day, when I leave this place,

I will see your face,

Tell you all the things you missed,

Plant your face with one big kiss

And say out loud this time

The best father in the world was mine.

Happy Father’s Day Daddy

I will always be grateful to my Father for providing us with a life-time of unconditional love and devotion.  I never could have wanted for more.

I wrote this letter to him on Father's Day 2001.


 A LETTER TO MY FATHER

As long as I can remember, you
have always been near.

With you around, I knew I had nothing
to fear.

In your family, you have always taken pride.
That is a joy you could never hide.

You have always worked hard at anything
you put your hands to.

You are always willing and eager to help others by
doing whatever you can do.

When I think back, I don't think there is anything
you have not sold; shoes and jewelry, to name a few.

Even during rough times, you saw our family through.
We always knew we could depend on you.

Family has always been your priority.
You have always believed in accountability.

Years have not changed you in the least.
Your commitment to our family has only increased.

Your unwavering belief that, A family that prays together
stays together has seen us through stormy weather.

Daddy, you are the best father a daughter could have;
a hidden treasure found; a model of fatherhood and
a blessing to our family.

Thank you for being the example of the best person I could ever want to be.

Love,
Your Daughter, Pat.

I loved you then and I love you now and forever more.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all All Fathers

Words Unexpressed

Sometimes words go unexpressed,
Lying quietly inside a man's chest.

Feelings often choke his chest
Begging to be expressed.

Others think that he doesn't care,
But some words he cannot share.

Inside is where they will remain
Preventing cleansing that comes with rain.

Inwardly, he exalts with words unspoken
And makes promises that will never be broken.

Though his words go unexpressed
Silently, he wishes you his best.

copyright Patricia Newman-Harris

To all Graduates---Run fast, run free, run straight into your destiny!

                                        



It was not by chance that you were birthed

God ordained this day on earth.

While you were yet being formed

Before you were born

God knew all the while what was to be

He had already created your destiny

He created you to be a special child

One destined to go that extra mile,

He assigned this task to you.

He knew you would do what was required of you

With his hand on yours

You can open any doors.

Let it be etched in your heart and in your soul

You are more precious than gold.

From the day of your birth,

God determined your worth.

Never be afraid to walk into your destiny.

You can be all that you were created to be.

Run fast, run free

Run straight into your destiny.

Copyright P. Newman-Harris

May this be the beginning of the rest and the best day of your life!

Run fast, run free, run straight into your destiny...Congratulations Graduates!

It was not by chance that you were birthed

God ordained this day on earth.

While you were yet being formed

Before you were born

God knew all the while what was to be

He had already created your destiny

He created you to be a special child

One destined to go that extra mile,

He assigned this task to you

He knew you would do what was required of you

With his hand on you

There is nothing that you cannot do.

Let it be etched in your heart and in your soul

You are more precious than gold.

From the day of your birth,

God determined your worth.

Never be afraid to walk into your destiny.

You can be all that you were created to be.

Run fast, run free

Run straight into your destiny.

Copyright P. Newman-Harris

Memorial Day Tribute--Surely

To those men and women who served
We pause to give you the respect you deserve.
You answered the call.
You gave your all.
As American citizens, we are truly blessed by your sacrifices.
From the greatest to the least we appreciate all you have done.
We honor you for every victory that was won,
and we thank you  for every brick that was laid to the foundation of peace.

I dedicate this poem to those who continue the fight.
One day, there will no longer be a need to fight.
Surely, blinded eyes will one day open,
And we will see the light.

Surely

Trying to understand the heart of man

One day I took pen in hand.

Burdened by the condition of the human heart,

I wondered if we’d ever make a brand new start.

Question after question formed in my mind.

It was clear we were running out of time.

With years slipping away,

The day seemed further and further away.

Listening to messages of hate

Formulate and penetrate,.

 Considering the circumstances in a diseased world,

I questioned whether there would be a different world

Before I closed my eyes

How much longer will the innocent suffer and die?

With the light of hope burning dim,

Was I holding onto a chance that was slim?

Surely, there was some good to be found,

Surely, we would place our feet on solid ground
I believe the impossible can come to be.

                                                                        Surely,                                       

 The insanity will end.

Hate is not the burning message in the heart of men.

Somewhere deep inside of us,

There’s a desire to love and trust.

If my soul is to find relief,

I have to hold onto that belief.

I have to believe

The gift of peace will one day be received

In every kingdom and every land where there is discord.

Surely one day man will be on one accord.

Someday, peace will be more than just a word

In every language, in every tongue, the message will be heard.

Surely one day the wars will end.

I don’t know when.

In this one thing we shall not fail.

One day peace will prevail.

Copyright 2010 by Patricia Newman-Harris

 Matters of the Heart 

t