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