My Thoughts on Politics and Christianity 2016 Election

Well here is my one and only political comment which I will give prior to the debate tonight.

At church this Sunday, I had the privilege of being reminded that there are people on both sides of our political system that believe in God, claim to be Christians and think that their viewpoints accurately reflect their belief and faith.

Here within lies our biggest challenge as citizens of this great country, that is as imperfect as we are; but also as strong and diverse and unites in any tragedy; much like a family joins together, September 11 showed that all too well. We were truly united in those weeks following September 11.

There was a point in history where Caesar was demanding more taxes and the Jewish people came to Jesus, who had already cleared the temple of all of the people who didn't belong there. They asked him what they should do? Pay the taxes or revolt? His answer was perfect. Whose name is on the money? It was Caesar's. He said, "Give back to Caesar what is his." The bottom line was that they could not and would not lose anything more because they belonged to God.

Jesus chose not to have a revolt. His example is one many 'Christians' certainly need reminded of.

To me, this is the big picture; if you are arguing from the Bible you stand on...

People in this country on opposing sides are being hateful, intolerant, ridiculing, threatening and acting like the other party will surely destroy our nation. In my way of thinking, that gives very little respect for how we were taught to 1.) let the light of love and forgiveness and compassion be burning so bright that another person will know we are Christians by our love and the light that shines from within. 2.) Be not a follower or a lover of money but to see the beauty of the Earth and all that God created. 3.)Gives a presidential nominee more power than the " Almighty God" who I am pleased to remind you is the God of many religions, many political parties and opinions and a God who has been gracious in forgiveness and clearly told us not 'to judge one another, lest we be judged."

Our country isn't weakened by candidates that win. It is weakened by people fighting with each other over who is right. Judging each other like one is a Christian and the other isn't. Cleaning up our own backyards before we condemn others, getting to let people and lives that are different from our to get close enough to impact our life experience.

I am probably a liberal Democratic Republican. LOL I have been shaped by life, the people and circumstances that have allowed me to realize that a lot of propaganda is bullshit.

So, if you are claiming to be a Christian and fighting with your neighbors, not speaking to family members about how you may vote, then I challenge you to reexamine your faith and to also look at what you condemn. Many people and their plights may never touch you in this life, but they do touch God, if he is all knowing, all feeling, and forgiving. If you believe in Jesus, he hung out with everyone. He showed grace and love and compassion and forgiveness.

I am most certain that the hatred and innuendos and accusations that are taking place give a more accurate picture of how weak we are as Christians and how far removed and out of touch we have become from what was taught. I am talking to every party.

Have faith. Vote like you feel compelled to do. Be kind and tolerant and loving.

The way "Christians" act is the reason I will not stand under the broad umbrella that no longer represents how I believe or how I believe I should be living my life. I am too tolerant, too forgiving, too loving, too accepting, too non judgmental to be a Christian by today's standards. Yet, I do believe.

Angel Man

                          Angel Man

 Like the comforting whisper of the wind, you subtly blew into my life,

 kind words and gentle touch erasing; scars created from years of strife.

The hope and promise that you brought, filled my heart with song. 

My soul had been waiting for you, for so very long.


Without knowing or expecting much, we seemed to connect;

minutes turned to hours, and time went by too quick.

You took my hand and gently, with kindness, care and grace,

kissed me, held me, desired me, passion evident in your face.


Memories of places my soul yearned for, reawakened with your touch.

my woman's soul was needy, responding to your man's lust, oh so greedy.

Giving, getting, wanting more; both of us so spent.

I have no doubt my time with you, had to be heaven sent.


This small town girl will never regret, 

the passion that we shared;

for your gentle touch healed me,

and your light made me quickly forget.


To be so close and vulnerable, 

in this brazen brand new light;

you were so different  from all I'd known,

yet you felt so very right.


So much more loving, than anything I'd known...

the gentle rain playing a song of our own.

Lulled into a peaceful slumber, comforted by your snore.

Every time I think of  you, all I want is more.


To awaken to your passion and touch again,

the desire I feel for you cannot be a sin.

My lips instinctively seek your kiss each time,

my body craves your touch. I want you to be mine,


I will try to do it right and learn from my mistakes,

not to give my heart away; but let love define it's shape.

So, in spite of the fact that I could love you madly,

in spite of desire and wanting you badly,


I'll hope and I'll pray that this time I'm right

and the connection we shared will one day shine bright.

In giving you back the time that you need,

I'm paving a path with good loving seed.



May your eyes and heart stay open,

your memory of me burn bright.

A heart up in the heavens, 

lets me know, meeting you was right.


If its not you, then I can only plead,

that someone with your magic 

will come and claim my soul,

proof of love from up above, that is all I need. 

You secured my insecurity, with your gentle soul.

You spoke words my heart so needed and

I'd forgotten how to feel.

Your kindness was a love note, that truly helped me heal.


My words to you were honest, as your kiss upon my lips.

My truly unforgettable, forever angel man....

You cradled me to strong again, 

your passion helped me stand. 

                                                   

daisygirl77                                                   
2016

Broken Songbird

Locked inside this home,
filled with mold and lack of care
my lungs are my wings;
and my wings they have no air.

I grasp onto a thread of hope
I've managed to restore,
but in my restless sleep
my hope has slipped away once more.

I am a bird, trapped in a cage.
I've fallen to the floor.
Drowning in the river of my tears,
my wings can fly no more.

Hearing the last small sound emitted,
from my tattered broken core,
my angels send a gentle hand,
to lift me up and help me stand.

How did she know I was broken,
lying hopeless on the floor.
How did she know I had lost my will
and I could no longer soar?

With the insight of a God I can't reach,
she has the wind I need,
and on the wings of laughter and friendship,
I begin to breath.

The nighttime pillow of despair,
waits for me to sleep,
and smothers me with its familiar scent ,
slowly crushing out my air.

Awakened again, I lay motionless,
on the floor of this cage I have known,
the cage of depression, of sorrow,
my familiar home.

I am but a songbird, and the air of music I need
music gently heals my soul
without the song I'm singing,
I'll simply cease to breath.

This cage will not contain me,
I've found my strength once more.
slowly I am climbing out,
to find space where my soul can soar.

I was a broken songbird,
and thought I would sing no more.
my guardian angels rescued me
and helped me fly once more.

Red Flag Warning

RED FLAG WARNING


Loving you,                                          
is like swimming,

with a red flag warning.


knowing all the risks, 

warnings all about.

Still, I walk in on my own,

feeling fear that's never shown.


Wanting for my love to calm your storm,

my peace to soothe your rage, 

and bring us safely back to shore.


rage buried deep within the waves.

hidden to everyone, but me.

no one understands why there's a red flag warning.


Your outer calm erases my doubt,

I've walked too far in; now I can't get out,

I see your red flag rage as I go under.


I am drowning in the sea,

of your tumultuous love for me.

No one safe at shore, can see me sinking. 


No one safe at shore, is even thinking

there's a red flag warning.


I am sinking,

I am drowning in the sea

of your tumultuous love for me.


no one safe at shore can hear me shout,

no one safe at shore can pull me out.

your undertow of rage has pulled me under.

No one safe at shore can see me sinking,

No one safe at shore is even thinking,

there's a red flag warning. 


daisygirl77

My Daddy

My Daddy

My daddy left when I was four;
tears wet his cheeks as he shut the door.
He drove for miles , nowhere to go,
miles of cold and dirty snow.

Daddy wanted to see us grow;
yet empty years passed with nothing to show,
for the children they'd conceived.
Empty years, lonely nights; one big broken dream.

I grew up without knowing my dad;
never realizing the depth of love he had.
Seldom worrying about him, my life was my own;
much love and affection to my mama was shown.

High school has come and gone
those days have passed me by.
In our lives, he couldn't share;
I was taught to believe he didn't care.

Now grown up and on my own,
I finally know my dad.
He knows my fears, he soothes my pain,
he shares in joys I have.

Daddy loved us children so;
but, still he had to go,
his punishment was to lose us too,
the pain of loss is all he knew.

All the things that I have missed,tear me apart inside.
I wanted a family, oh so bad.
One set of parents, a happy home;
this I never had.


daisygirl77 reflections-rzm
(written in 1979 for my Daddy/
revised in 2016)

My Village

MY VILLAGE

They say it takes a village to raise a child,

it also takes a village, to hold us up

when we’re challenged with the extra mile.

a hug,

a smile,

a lended hand…

when a life is broken up,

a village holds you ‘til you can stand.

A village is the knowledge that

great advice is always near,

assistance when it’s needed…

some hope, some love, some cheer.

A village cares for children,

whether near or far away.

A village gives us solid ground,

when we don’t know, what to do or say.

In my life, I will always keep,

thoughts of angels watching over me

while I sleep.

There are angels placed on Earth;

protecting lives, is their worth.

Caring, sharing, knowing when,

to fill my cup back up again.

You have been my angels,

you are my solid ground.

With my whole heart I thank you

for taking time to be around,

For love you give so freely,

your care, your help, your strength.

You helped me stand back up again,

when my soul was broken, my faith so thin.

I am thankful for each of you.

there are no words more true.

Thanks written out in a million notes. 

So well deserved, from me to you.
notes I've made up in my mind, time and again....

written in my heart and soul,

many thanks I've penned.

So many thoughts, you will never know,

I regret that my thanks didn't always show.

I love you.

I appreciate you.

My thoughts are with you all the time.

I am truly blessed

to call this family mine.

Without you, I don't know,

what we would have done.

You helped to build me up again,

until my face could feel the sun.

Our lives are better because of you.

You have been my rock, my shelter, my steady,

whenever I have needed you,

your love has been so ready.

You are my village.

I love you.

Rae of Sunshine daisygirl77

The Heart of My Mother

Summer Lullaby

The gentle caress of the summer breeze and warm kiss of the sun,

Wash over my skin with a soft sensuality my body craves.

The steady tempo of  the waves rolling onto shore,

create  a rhythmic summer song that lulls me to sleep.

daisygirl77 rzm

04-17-2016

Going to College

Our children dance away......

in the rain of our tears.

                                                                

                                                                                               rzm daisygirl77

The Gift of a Glimpse

You allowed me a snapshot, a brief moment to go back to my youth, a chance to hang out with my brother again, laugh and be ridiculous, care free and irresponsible.

Only when I looked up, did the mirror confirm what my heart already knew, those days had passed  me by.

My time had come and gone. My glimpse was a gift. It was meant to  be a reflection and nothing more. It was a pick me up and put me on my feet again moment.  It is time to refocus on my present and embrace where I am now in life.
It is time for me to love myself as I am, and to start pursuing all I hope to become.

Even as I look at  the tasks that lie  before me; do I  realize  that  I have managed to cheat ten years.

I look beside me and  there are bike rides and walks to take, sand castles to build and tears to wipe dry.  Little women to raise.

The bar stool I have been sitting on is worn by many "go nowhere" memories of those who have shared it before me.

I am thankful that I did not waste months or years sitting here in this go nowhere place doing go nowhere things with go nowhere people.

My dreams and 'to dos' are written on a list which  I have memorized.

The first one....I will love and value myself to teach my daughters to love and value themselves.
The second one....Inspire my daughters by inspiring myself.
Admit when I am wrong.
Clean up my messes.
Start a blog
Get a website
Write a book
Learn to speak another language
Get a Passport stamp in my Passport at least every 2 years.
Keep a list of dreams and goals until the day I die.


daisygirl77 rzm

Sunshine in the Shadows

JARED ZIMMERMAN: YOU AS A FORMER WRESTLER BROKE THE MOLD AND STEPPED OUTSIDE YOUR ARMOR AND ADMITTED YOU NEEDED HELP, ASKED FOR HELP, AND ARE HEALING.

Dear Jared. When I watched your video my initial thought was that by being able to share the path you walked you did something that was potentially life altering for many. This morning I realized what it was that was so profound to me about your video. To fully explain, I have to share a quote from your Dad in the article CMU wrote, "Removing the Armor: Former Student's Suicide Reveals Struggle to Ask for Help"

From the article: Calvin described him [Justin Zimmerman} as reserved, but a deep and reflective thinker. The pain of a role model falling below his own standards stayed bottled up inside, and his closest friends and family were always kept unaware of his inner struggle.
"What I think we do such a great job in (wrestling) is of building men to be so strong that they can't break," Calvin said. "We don’t do a good job of recognizing or teaching the fact that physical pain is different than mental pain. The missing thing I can think of that wouldn’t allow him to reach out is he had built an armor around himself. He had compassion; he could reach out to others’ problems, but I don’t know if he saw it as a sign of weakness to reach out for himself."

What you have done Jared that is so profound is this: as a very successful athlete, with a wrestler's strength and mentality; you like your brother were built to be strong as a wrestler and not break. You were able to live in my home, in our lives, and hide how deep and dark the place was that you were in. You had an armor around yourself. Your Dad would call me and we knew you were depressed, we knew you were hurting but it took you reaching out for anyone to realize how deep into depression you had fallen.
Your is a story that needs to be told and shared with every single wrestler, athlete, young man....those strong courageous, well mannered, funny, hard working young men that we somehow feel will always overcome adversity. Even when we knew you were hurting, when we cried with you and for you; you were able to put up that armor that protected you and fooled even me. I was on a careful watch and even with my gut feeling was telling me to dig deeper; I respected your pain and strength and privacy you requested.
I am nobody special in this story; I could be the mom, the dad, the sister, the brother, the aunt, the uncle, the coach, the cousin, the best friend.
You Jared Zimmerman are the athlete, the accomplished young man that your dad was referencing in this article. There are many many young men like you and Justin. We raise you and train you and love you and take pride in you every day. We believe in your strength. We believe we would know if you truly needed us. Our family is not isolated. Suicide and tragic accidents are claiming too many lives.
I watch your video and I see a profound opportunity for coaches to learn from a life that did not end tragically 1. because you were able to realize the love and pain and devastation that resulted from Justin's death. 2. You went home like Justin did; but you asked for help and counseling and knew you needed it.
Jared, I am so proud of you. Our entire family and your community of friends are proud of you. Your story will change more than one life. Your story has the potential to help so many. It is not by accident you are here sharing your story. You tell it. Tell it for all of the Justin's that could not find the strength to break their own armor. I will share your story and Justin's story. It is too important.
Like Erin said yesterday, " I felt like the world was crying for him today. That's how much of an impact he had." I personally don't' think we will ever be able to fill the void that has been left or quit wishing for a different ending.

Through sharing his story and your own and even many other stories that resulted from one of those "rare suicides that no one saw coming", You have allowed us inside the armor and have also taught a very valuable lesson to those of us who need to learn more.

Thank you for sharing so unselfishly. Inspire One Fitness is about inspiring one. You have and will continue to do so. Justin's death will not be in vain. I am thankful for your story, for your life and for the healing of each member of your wonderful family.

I love you dearly, we all do.

Aunt Rena

p.s. I know this probably is blog material; however; I can think of no better way to fill my pages. I hope my letter to you will "inspire one and save a life". You and your family inspire me each and every day.

Sunshine in Broken Places

In the cold chill of morning, I cracked the front door to let our dog Bear out. Unlike most mornings; Bear ran toward our garage barking noisily.
I rushed out in the still morning still covered in darkness,  to hush him and bring him in; when I saw a small child who lived down the road, wearing only a flannel shirt, jeans and tennis shoes in the thirty something degrees frost bitten morning air.  I went to him and asked him why he was at our home so early.  He quietly told me that he had been sent to my home 4o minutes before the bus arrived as  a punishment for forgetting his boots. He had no coat.   

This was day number two that he had arrived at our house to stand in the cold alone in the pre-dawn darkness but this morning it was much earlier than the day yesterday...

I gave him a tight hug and made him a very warm bed of blankets against my garage door and put a pillow under his little head. He smiled and said thank you and then  asked if he could have something to eat and requested the same cheese nips as yesterday.  Cold and hunger are two things that bother me most when it comes to children. Pain and fear are more than my heart can bear. 

I got them and went inside to my daughters and asked them to please not talk about this child's life with anyone. The lessons they learned the past two mornings are lessons that only the broken places of life are able to teach.  They took care of him instinctively and  threw the blankets in the garage quickly when they heard the bus approach.  I saw he left behind the shirt I had given him to wear.  We kept the blankets and shirt ready again.  

Today is the anniversary of our youngest brother Shannon's death. He died unexpectedly and tragically in a car accident at the age of 22.  I had planned on writing a blog in his memory and I may still do so  but...

instead I found sunshine in the most broken place as I realized that God sent this small child to my home because he knew I would care for, and love him as much as I am able to do.  In what could have been a very dark and scary moment of his young life; I was able to place some warmth, kindness and sunshine in his life. I was able to build some trust. 

I have learned that sometimes I  can not change a person's life; but I can certainly do whatever I am able to do to add any amount of sunshine to their  lives and hopefully make their path a little easier. 

In caring for this child; I was touched personally.  These are the moments that have shaped me and are shaping my children. The sunshine for me today was in providing warmth and food and kindness for the broken child that found his way to my doorstep.  

I can not change the past or erase any pain I have known; but I can make a difference in each day and look around me with eyes that wish to see; and hands that desire to help.

It is in helping others that I am giving the greatest gift to myself and my daughters.  

Sometimes I wonder if my desire to reach out is more than a reaction.  Am I simply paying forward the many acts of love and rescue and care that were extended to me as a small child? I have little recollection but I know there were many angels.  There have always been angels. 

I embrace these moments when unexpectedly I am honored with the gift of being a guardian angel to someone else.  That is my hearts greatest wish; and my souls brightest sunshine. 


daisy girl 77 rzm

The Screenplay of My Life

The Screenplay of My Life

You helped me write the screenplay of my life.

The final chapter,

the happy ending I never thought I'd see.

you were always the one for me.

Your love for me erased,

all the years I longed to see your face.

In the whisper of the wind I hear your voice calling

wanting me, needing me, why are we still stalling?

...wasting more days, when so many have been thrown away. 

in the breeze of our lives, days just blown away.

I sit here missing you,

an ache that fills my soul,

my skin so craves your touch. I love you so very much.

Unsolicited, I sought you, I found you,
my arms they wrapped around you,

and yours around me.

My soul is home.

I could die here, wrapped in your arms,
feel complete, and whole, and eternally happy.

I am no longer crying.

I simply know you are the one.

I look in your eyes and you come alive.

I see in you, what I feel in me;

You love me too.

~daisygirl77 rzm

Musician of My Soul Twenty Years Later

Musician of my Soul....Twenty Years Later

In the private recesses

of my mind,

you have remained safely hidden away.

I placed you high upon a shelf,

tucked behind pictures

I refused to look at;

music I would no longer let myself hear.

I covered your memory;

until you were obscured from my view,

from my mind.

You, my musician, with your melancholy horn;

remained safely where I needed you to be...

...no more tears

...no more waiting

...no more longing for you.

my life moved on;

the stage although different,

became very familiar...

very safe.

In the private recesses of my mind,

your cry, like the whisper of the wind;

beckoned me,
from years gone by.

I began to take a peek;

then, longing to know more;

began seeking you out with obsessive curiosity...

still, I remained safely hidden

in the fortress of anonymity

I'd created

Then one night, our story turned full circle.

The long drawn out cry of a saxophone

echoed from the hollows of my soul.

With brave resolve,

I found you,

your voice drawing me in,

I called again,

and again.

Finally, I mustered the courage to leave you a secret;

a name that only my musician would know....

with no regrets,y

only a curiosity,

long aroused, at last I slept.

Like magic and a dream come true...
I awaken in the morning to you.

Once again, my heart hears your voice,

I see you

I feel you

I touch you...

the passage of time becomes nothing,
as my heart recognizes the music

my soul has yearned for.

Unexpectedly, irrevocably

I am once again, sitting at your stage,

waiting,

      hoping,

            praying...

your stories, your music, your life,

I am captivated,

moved.....

and hold my breath once again,

waiting for the next moment,

I can see you,
feel you,

touch you.

Too late, I recognize my inability

to find my way back

to where this journey began.

Twenty years later

you remain,

the one and only,

musician of my soul.

                                                rzm

                                   ~  daisygirl77reflections