Saturday, February 21, 2009

In honor of Homer


Homer was my father-in-law and passed away yesterday morning in the hospital, after a very long stay. Homer, although not his real name, it describes him perfectly. He really did love his family, in his own messed up way. Although his actions may not have always been perfect, he had the best of intentions. No body is perfect. So this is in his honor:


Footprints in the Sand


One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.


This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”


The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”


Mary Stevenson, 1936


Thank you in advance for your kind thoughts and wishes. And please, if there is anyone in your life who smokes, please encourage them to quit. I used to smoke and for a great many years, so I know how hard it is to quit. It is no joke. But watching someone die from lung cancer isn't fun either. I'm not a "reformer" or anything, and I do believe in a person's right to smoke, but this experience I guess brought it home for me. Just ask people to at least consider it.

Thank you and take care!

9 comments:

  1. I am sorry for yours and your family's loss.

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  2. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I have always loved that poem and it became even more special to after my grandmother passed. *hugs to you all*

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  3. You're right, watching someone you love die of lung cancer is difficult. My grandfather died of many causes; emphysema from smoking, and from the chemical plant he worked in, is what finally did him in. I can still remember him saying, "I can quit any time I want."

    But he didn't, so it quit him.

    My condolences to you.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear this :-( I've seen someone die from secondhand smoke while the smoker lived a long life (go figure). {{{hugs}}}

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  5. I am so soryy for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.

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  6. I'm sorry for your family's loss. This is a lovely tribute to him.

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  7. I'm sorry for your loss. I have a DH who smokes and as much as I try to explain and tell him examples...the only time he will quit is when he's ready. He also never smokes near me or in front of me and I told him that if we have kids he has to quit. I hope this works because I would like him to quit not it quit him.

    You and yours will be in my prayers.

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