Words, Poems and Songs are so powerful to me. Just seeing a word, reading a poem or hearing a song can make me cry, make me smile and even make me laugh out loud.
I have always loved to read. My favorite books as a young child were "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein. I still read those books to this day. My personal library actually takes up more space in our home than my complete wardrobe, including shoes.
As far as my favorite songs are concerned, I do not know most song titles or even the artist who sang them. But, I can usually name the year it was released and I definitely know the words. The lyrics sheet was always my favorite part of getting a new album.
The following is a collection of our favorite poems and songs that remind us of Hope Angel and other Babies in Heaven and in Our Hearts and the stories that go along with them.
LOVE was all she ever knew!!!
The Story: January 8, 2006 - Imperial Beach, CA.
My big brother Ernie read this at Our Memorial for Hope Angel.
It is beautiful, everyone loved it ...
GOD'S GARDEN
In the most beautiful of gardens,
even those tendered by the most skillful of botanists
there is an occasional rose that buds, but never opens.
In all respects the rose is like all the others,
but something keeps it from blooming.
It fades away - or disappears - without having reached maturity.
What happens in natures garden,
happens once in awhile also in the garden of God's human family.
A baby is born, beautiful, precious,
but fails to come to its rightful unfolding.
This child, Hope Angel, like the bud that never fully opens,
is gathered back into God's heavenly garden of souls
- where all imperfections are made perfect
- all injustices made right
- all mysteries are explained
- and sorrows turned to happiness.
The Story: June 30, 2006
To my sister, Lianne
Love your brother, Jason
9 Months Today
It all started 9 months ago today,
I never planned, to leave you this way.
I was closer to you than anyone will ever be,
It was your heartbeat I had, that gave peace to me.
You kept me warm and safe inside
I heard you laugh and when you cried.
I met all your friends along the way,
We played at the beach just the other day
Was it Steve or Presley, I heard you say?
You called my name every day.
You sang a song; it was just you and me
Reminded me of grandpa who sang for free.
To my MOM, I love you dear,
Even though I cannot be here.
Love, your Son
The Story: May 20, 2006 - Alpine, CA.
I've had this poem for many years and wanted to read it at
Hope's Memorial but couldn't find it until last night and wanted to share it with you. XOXO, Hope's Great Grandma Florence
When God Calls Little Children
To dwell with Him above,
We mortals always question
The wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares
With the death of one small child
Who does so much to make this world
Seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
The aged to His fold
And so he picks a rosebud
Before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them
And so He takes but few
To make the land of heaven
More beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult,
Still somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows
Will always be goodbye.
So when little ones departs.
We who are left behind
Must realize God loves little children
Angels are hard to find.
The Story: January 25, 2006 - Coronado, CA.
I was browsing in a little shop and I stumbled across this poem. When I read it, I was so amazed at the strong connection between the words and our Hope.
I love everything about this poem. If you read my Journal, I am sure you'll understand why.
HOPE
It's Hope that's there when you're in need
To somewhere, somehow plant the seed
That yes, there's Hope to carry on;
Support the weak and make them strong.
Whatever contest may be held
Or when it seems your cause be felled,
When all seems lost and without reason
Hope springs alive; she'll have her season.
That little seed from long ago
She planted there will start to grow,
Because of Hope we'll all survive
Because we all kept Hope alive.
That seed she nestled in our breast
That helps make us our very best,
An angel's gift she loves to share
You'll always know that Hope is there.
The Story: November 19, 2005 - Garden Grove, CA.
This poem was written using each letter in Hope Angel.
With Love, Cousin Jeri and her Granddaughter Kendra
We LOVE it!!
HOPE ANGEL
How Pretty you are, how dainty, how small
Only one day we held you, that had to be all
Please, God love our baby; take over from here
Enclosed in your arms, hold our treasure so dear
A very brief time is all we had
Not long could you stay with your Mom & Dad
Great blessings, however, our family has known
Ever more, you'll be with us, and never alone
Love Forever
The Story: January 8, 2006 - Imperial Beach, CA.
We dedicated this song to our little Hope Angel. She was our Hope, our Strength and we were blessed to get to have her in our lives.
And everywhere we are... There She'll Be.
There You'll Be - by Faith Hill
When I think back on these times... and the dreams we left behind...
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed... to get to have you in my life.
When I look back on these days... I'll look and see your face...
You were right there for me.
In my dreams... I'll always see you soar above the sky.
In my heart... There will always be a place for you for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me... and everywhere I am there you'll be.
Well you showed me how it feels... to feel the sky within my reach.
And I always will remember... all the strength you gave to me.
Your love made me make it through... Oh, I owe so much to you...
You were right there for me.
In my dreams... I'll always see you soar above the sky.
In my heart... There will always be a place for you for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me... and everywhere I am there you'll be.
'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For Always...
In my dreams... I'll always see you soar above the sky.
In my heart... There will always be a place for you for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me... and everywhere I am there you'll be.
AND EVERYWHERE I AM THERE YOU'LL BE !
The Story: March 16, 2006 - San Diego, CA.
This poem was sent to us by our wonderful friend, Heidi
(you can click on the title to see it animated)
Four candles slowly burned
the ambiance was so soft one could hear them talking.
The first candle said... "I am Peace!"
"The world is full of anger and fighting
and nobody can keep me lit."
Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.
The second candle said... "I am Faith!"
"I am no longer indispensable."
Then Faith's flame slowly
diminished and went out.
The third candle said... "I am Love!"
"I haven't got the strength to stay lit any longer.
People put me aside and don't understand my importance.
They even forget to love those who are nearest to them."
And waiting no longer, Love's flame goes out.
A child enters the room and sees
three candles no longer burning.
The child began to cry, "Why are you not burning?
You are supposed to stay lit until the end."
Then the fourth candle said... "I am Hope!"
"Don't be afraid, and while I am still burning
we can re-light the other three candles."
With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope
and lit the other three candles.
The flame of Hope should never go out from your life
and with Hope... each of us can live a life with
Peace, Faith and Love.
The Story: I've received only a handful of emails from one of my dearest friends Mary. This is one of them.
Happiness
Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.
Whether I like something or not depends on how I arrange my mind.
It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up.
I have a choice.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open.
I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I can make.
Old age is like a bank: you withdraw from what you've put in.
So, deposit a lot of happiness in your memory bank."
Remember the Five Simple Rules to be Happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Keep your face towards the sunshine... and you cannot see the shadows!!! Helen Keller
