Perils of old age/young heart

It's interesting the similarities we humans have-it's like parallel universes do exist and kinda nice when we meet up and share--

I met another 71-72 yo guy at the hospital where I just had robotic surgery--you know where the doc has fun, when all is said and done, he sits at his play station and fiddles with you inner nation!!

This guy had a wife with half her brain gone from the bad C; who was saying how lonesome they were when it seemed there was little or no communication with folks that seemingly should be doing so--that the world has become so saturated with cells, email, TV, and busy busy lives that things just don't connect anymore--with all our communication skills at hand the lonelier and more isolated we become, it's a paradoxical gap--his daughter in law and 2 grand children--strange coincidence, never called or wrote, seemed detached; the son called many times but the hidden message and gap the father felt was baring down on them and worrisome. I asked him if he prayed about this; he did over and over and sent messages to them--he was under considerble strain, his church was involved with them which helped. I told him that God would answer his prayers in His Time--however I was left with the feeling also that God does seem to leave us under difficult situations, I know I've heard it over and over: to test us--but we are left angry and hurt and want tell those who hurt us the truth, that their distancing from us does not seem to be God's Plan, but there own which is opposite from Jesus' commandment to us. Forgiveness can only come if there is communication. After we prayed we departed.

Poem written Dec 16 after finding kidney tumor

I wrote this the other night about 330AM--my best poetry is while I'm still asleep!!

Twas the time b4 Xmas of 2010, when then all was quiet,

the world lay as it's been, beautiful and pliant;

when all of a sudden, there arose such a clatter,

you would have thot it was more than a little matter, and I would have rather, stayed snuggled with Shirley together,

when out of a CT there appeared a kidney tumor,

but I imagined it was just another prank rumor;

I flew to the bathroom, threw up the seat,

told my body your'e still complete,

in denial I continued to pray,

that somebody with my mind just wants to play,

that a dream ends well when you wake, come on now for goodness sake!!

Into the urologist I flew, begging for facts that this was not true,

He wore a suit of white, stained with yellow, he was such a callow fellow,

carried a bag of surgical toys, scared me with his 'boys will be boys',

proceeded to check me over, what came next I cannot cover--

When all is said and done, he said robotics will be more fun

for him as he sets there at a play station, and fiddles with my inner nation!!

Then when he has done his deed fulfill, I'll have the courtesy of his huge bill,

then up the hall he'll fly, with his 8 tiny nurses saying byebye;

For all of you who have faced this b4, I ask for your courage and faith more,

to face unafraid, the plans we have made, far back in our SS class, with Wayne, Rick, Jean, Bill, Bob, Jesse at the dias,

our pastors, our church, our prayer group, our Bible study, and any others that can be our buddy:

the lessons we were taught, that Jesus has for us bought, our infirmaties and sins, to save our skins,

on the cross he has hung them tumor and all, so that we may not fall, but in Him believe for once and for all

even when put to the knife, but have everlasting life --if we believe in Him

and to all I say a very Merry Xmas and especially to you, Jim!!! ( thanks for your 'inspirashum'!!!)

Apologies to Henry Longfellow, al

Believe, another version written Dec 2009

“Believe”*, John 3:16, for whosoever believes---

Children glowing, singing o’ God’s revealing,

Our church’s calling, hear her bells appealing;

We were the children not so long ago,

But one by one we let our innocence go;

When it seemed the magic slipped away,

We can find it all again on Christ’s Birthday!

Believe in what our hearts are saying,

Hear the carols that are playing;

There’s no time to waste, each o’ us celebrates

The Baby Jesus’ joyful birth,

Hear the angels sing all His worth!!!

We have everything we need,

In Him just believe!

Time moves swiftly, earthly lives will end;

Destination: eternal life, His saving grace we depend;

By His Star o’ wonder, by His perfect Light,

Trusting Him with all our hearts and our might;

When it seems we have lost our way,

We find ourselves again on Christmas Day!

Believe and love our Jesus Christ,

And have Christmas every single day!

There’s no time to waste, we’ve so much to celebrate;

Bring back our dreams, our Lord to please;

Give us wings to fly, fall on our knees!!!

We have everything we need,

In Him we just believe!!! Yes, Lord, we believe!!

You give us hope!! You give us peace!!

You give us joy!! You gave us your Son!!!

Thank you, O Lord!!!

Amen!!!

For God so loved the world----

Love, and have a meaningful Christ’s Birthday, every day!!!

Shirley and Al

* Adapted from Polar Express: ‘Believe’ sung by Josh Groban

Poem Before Surgery For Kidney Tumor

Wrestling Before the Knife, written early Jan 12, 2011

While others before me have gone

through faith their fears have flown;

my own burdens I unjustly compare

with them should dispel my own despair;

I know not why I worry and toil;

why is it not well with my soul?

I lie here, frightened and ask,

Am I not saved by His Grace?

Do I not really believe

on Him who did reprieve?

Do I really ask for forgiveness

for the sins of my life's mess?

Before him should I be bold?

Is it not well with my soul?

And so, even Jesus asked

that the cup from Him be abast.

I wish the same and without shame

do hereby give my life, my body, my soul

to Him and pledge anew to be whole,

so that peace is like a still water,

through the valley of death I will not falter,

He comforts me from the cold;

He brings me into the fold;

at last it is well with my soul!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers.

In His Precious Name,

al