In Memory

Today, I would like to pause to remember all those who have lost their lives due to any form of violence.  I pray that we don't become insensitive to these events due to their growing number.  I'd especially like to remember those who died in yesterday's shooting.  It is, indeed, a sad day when we lose anyone in this fashion.  I immediately think of the song," Love is in Need of Love Today."  Our only hope to stay the violence is the belief that our lives are precious and worthy of preservation.

The road this country has taken is a very dangerous one.  Our very lives depend on where we go from here.  One thing I know is true.  America is not just you.  It is not just me.  It is us.  One thing describes us all.  No matter what color the face, no matter the place in this great land, we are all Americans.

Happy Father's Day to all Dads

A Father is a Father from America to China,
Whether he is a fisherman or a King,
He feels the same things.
So, to all the Fathers where ever you are
I send this Father's Day message:

To the young man soon to be a Father,
to the Fathers celebrating anew,
to the Father's in uniform far and near,
we celebrate you all this year.
To the Father's in blue to the Firefighters
working so hard that don't have time to read a card
To the Grandparents and Great Grandparents
and to those in the great beyond who have
nurtured, fostered, mentored and poured wisdom
into so many of our young, from generation to generation.
We say thank you to each and every one of you for making
a commitment and following through.  We celebrate
the fruit of your labor, knowing that because of you,
the world will be enriched and blessed with men
of commitment and integrity just like you.  Because of you,
the gift of fatherhood and love will be birth and rebirthed
long after you are gone.

I dedicate this song to my Dad for Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

Words Unexpressed..Dedicated to Fathers

When I was younger, my Father spent most of his time working.  He worked numerous jobs at one time.  The way he spent time with us was to take us with him to his evening and weekend jobs.  We had fun, so we never looked at it as work.  It was a chance to hang out with him.  Later, when he used to pick me up from work and it was just he and I, we would ride in silence.   Though he seldom expressed his love, I knew it was there.  I wrote this when I was reflecting on his love.

Some words go unexpressed,

Lying quietly inside a man’s breast.

He hesitates to express his feelings

For fear he will be thought of as less.

Feelings choke his chest,

Begging to be expressed.

Lying in the deepest portals of his soul

Growing cold as the years make him old.

Others think he doesn’t care,

But there are words he cannot share.

Inside is where they remain.

Preventing cleansing which comes with new rain.

Inwardly, he exalts with words unspoken.

And makes promises that will never be broken.

Though, his words may go unexpressed.

Silently, he wishes you his best.

copyright P. Newman-Harris

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers

I dedicate this song to all the Fathers out there, but especially to my own Father, who took great pride in being called Father.  My love for him will always be, because of his love for me and our family.

Thank you Daddy for your love.

Celebrating Memorial Day..Honoring and Remembering those who served

Understanding the legacy we hold in our hands.
I hope we understand we have so much to be thankful for.
Those who sacrificed their lives understood the premise of brotherhood
and thanksgiving.

Dedicated to those who Sacrificed to make our country
what it is today:

Oh, if we could but understand
the sacred legacy we hold in our hands.
Every dream that ever came true.
It is all because of you.
You watched by day and by night
You fought until the dawn's early light.
You left the safety of home
You ventured out alone
You made the decision to leave
Because you believed
Everything beautiful in America we see,
the oceans, the seas,
the flowers on the fields,
the majestic mountains and green hills
It all could have disappeared
They are still here for us to enjoy
because of the young girl or boy
who answered the call
to protect us all
The tears they shed
The blood they bled
is why the stars and stripes
yet wave over land and sea.
Without them, none of it would be.
The battles we won and lost
Came at great cost.
Oh, how great the legacy
we hold in our hands.
For it was provided by those
who sacrificed for you and for me.
I pray you value the legacy we hold in our hands
A lifetime of thank yous would never repay the
debt we owe.
Treasure the legacy,
Remember the legacy
For oh how great the legacy
we hold in our hands.
I hope you can,
I pray you can understand
how great the legacy
we hold in our hands.

 copyright Patricia Newman-Harris

Congratulations Graduates

It is said that in order to win the race, you have to first enter the race; second, you have to run the race
and third, you have to cross the finish line!

May your graduation day be the beginning of many races towards the finish line.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

copyright Patricia Newman-Harris 

Before you were born, God had a plan for you.

He already knew the things you would do.

At times when you felt all alone,

God was helping you hold on.

Sometimes we have to walk through the dark of night

Before we’re able to see his marvelous light

God sees what you have on the inside.

The world can only see what’s on the outside.

He knew some of your dreams would falter and die,

But he also knew one day you would fly.

God has already made a way for you.

All you have to do is keep pressing until you break through.

The world may not see how great you are,

But in God’s eyes you are a star.

In good times and in bad, you’ve got to be sure

The reward only goes to those who will endure.

God knows the beginning and the end.

He’s already determined that you will win.

Out of all the people in the world he chose you.

God has a plan for you.

The Precious Gift of Life

Watching the news of late has been very hard.
Every day some innocent person is killed.  The
accidents are difficult to accept but understood.
I cannot understand the unnecessary deaths that
occur each and every day.  It is especially hard
to listen to a report of innocent people being
mowed down by a vehicle, bombed or murdered
for the color of their skin.



Every day we live is a gift.
Treasure the gift of your life,
but also treasure the gift of each and
every life, regardless of color, station,
race or any other differences that may exist.

None of us have the ability to recreate a life,
so we definitely have no right to take a life.

That authority belongs to God alone.
Before you decide to take a life,
think of this.  You may be willing to
surrender your own, but that person has not
granted you permission to take theirs.  Please,
please, have respect for the gift of life.  It is
a precious gift granted to us all.  Love, the gift,
Thank God for the gift, but most of all, respect
the gift.