Poems by Jac Judy A. Campbell

C----Christ born upon this earth
H----Hallelujah, praise God for his birth
R----Rejoicing our Lord has come
I-----Immanuel, God's chosen one
S----Star shining brightly from heaven
T----Treasures and gifts Christ was given
M----Mother Mary who bore us God's son
A---- Angel, God's messenger from above
S----Savior - and Sins Christ has forgiven

The things I love about you
Aren't going away with age.
You will still calm me down,
Perk me up, get me excited,
and drive me crazy.
It's not how handsome you are,
Or how you look in your clothes
It's seeing your smile when we meet
after a long day apart,
It's the wink you give me from
Across the room.
The special excitement of keeping
It all brand new.
It's not the silver in your hair,
Or the hat or tie you wear,
It's the pat of affection as I pass by
It's the laughter when we share a joke,
It's sneaking around with you having a rendezvous
It's the sweetness in your voice,
It's being there when you're needed
And the loneliness when you're not,
It's sitting beside you watching a baseball game.
It's the snugs and hugs in the middle of the night
The things I love about you
Aren't going away with age.

A fine lady.
So gallantly strong,
She stands for the good,
The righteous, and God.

At a small little church she faithfully arrives.
She walks quietly about as she silently sighs.
She greets with a hug with outstretched hands.
"How are you doing today? Glad to see you," she says.

I gently embrace her and ask, "How are you doing?
You look pretty today."
With a sad glow in her eyes, she says,
"It's been kinda rough,
But our God's on my side,
And I'm hanging in tough."

With a soft smile on her face, she sits in a pew,
Among family and friends and others she knew.
She graciously prays with her head slightly bowed,
Singing God's hymns with a soft whispering sound.

As she rises to leave, I squeeze her arm and say,
"You look so beautiful and much better today."
She speaks with a quick grin as she touches my cheek
And replies with a voice that's suddenly weak.
"It's a little rough, but you know me,
I'm hanging in tough."

She faithfully arrives at the little church
One last time.
She was carried by loved ones
And friends by her side,
A bouquet was placed on the pew
Where she once sat,
With flowers and ribbons and banner that read:

God's taking me home.
His ride won't be rough,
For my days are all over for me.
Hanging in tough.

Muddy boots and overalls, he stood about six two
He was a country bumpkin; hard work was what he knew
A carpenter, a roofer, a jack of many trades
Countless hours of hard labor with not much time to play
He was my mother's husband, the father of us five
He raised a crew of workers with a loving, spirited wife
A strong voice in our raising, a firm hand when in need
Just tiny tots through growing years he taught us to behave
He was a proud and simple guy, content with what he had
He strived to build a better life for his children and his wife
He taught me responsibility and to stand on my own two feet
Hold strong to what I believed in and always face defeat
He said owe no man nothing and always pay what's due
And we should love everybody but only trust a few
He wasn't much on chit chat; his words were few and far between
A deep and silent thinker, his thoughts were plans and dreams
His heart was kind and thoughtful, a humanitarian he came to be
His generous nature of giving a helper to those in need
But most important, what matters most
He was Dad to me

I can't call you my Father,
And you're certainly not my Pop.
I wouldn't call you PaPa
Because to me you're certainly not.
I can't call you my Pappy,
Nor could I call you Dad.
You're definitely not my Daddy.
One of these I already have,
But I can call you Honey.
My best friend I have in you.
A loving caring husband,
A gent who's kind and true,
My guy of tender gentle words
You place within my heart.
The one who's strong and steady
And has been from the start,
A man that's more appreciated
More than I can ever say.
I'm saying this to wish you
A special Father's Day!

Our Father in Heaven
At the closing of the day
I clasp my hands, I close my eyes
I bow my head to pray

Father, I thank you for our blessings
That we receive along the way
And help us to remember how
Jesus loves us every day

I thank you for my loved ones
My family and my friends
Father, embrace us with your love
So we may have comfort and
Peace within

Father, will you bless us
With all good things that are right
And send your guardian angels
To protect us through the night

And when the early morning light
Brings on another day
May we be blessed with sunshine
To brighten our pathway
In Jesus Christ, Amen

When worries and fears I claim for my own,
When I feel helpless and all alone,
When my deepest memories come to mind
And all my sadness I leave behind,
Then yes, I'll go on laughing.
When I feel I'm going under with nothing
To hold onto,
When dark shadows cloud my senses,
My sadness and fears I'll be through.
When sweet, gentle ways have come to pass
And I get my fill of sadness at last,
Then yes, I'll go on laughing.
When I give up and go on living
And become wiser than I am,
I'll try not to cry tomorrow
So this heart and soul shall mend.
Then yes, I'll go on laughing.

Mom,
Every day must be a celebration in your
Newfound heavenly home,
But our Mother's Day is forever empty
For your children here below.
There will be no bouquet of roses,
No gifts, no cards, no hugs,
No connection to call to hear your voice
To tell you how much you're loved.
Each day I see you in my mirrors,
You're in my flowerbeds outside.
I know you live within my children
As I can see you in their eyes.
Every day I feel you're near me,
But it's just not the same.
I miss your arms to hold me.
I miss you calling out my name,
So I just want to tell you
Because you're far away
I miss you more today
Than I did yesterday.
I know you're content and peaceful
As God shines his light on you
And he showers you with joy and blessings
All the whole day through.
So happy heavenly Mother's Day, Mom.
With abundance of love from me to you,
Your daughter

Father, I thank you for the days and nights,
And thank you for this warm morning light.
For food and shelter, for your loving care,
And for all in this world that is good and fair.
Help us to be gentle, honest and true,
To show more kindness in all that we do.
To smile and be pleasant in all that we say,
To grow more loving each and every day.
To lend a helping hand, help others in need,
And to love one another as you have loved me.

Thank You, Father
Amen