This page is dedicated to my son, Jim,
because it reminds me of him, when
he was the young boy in the group.

Sombody's Mother
The woman was old, ragged andgray
Bent with a chill of a winter'sday.
The streets were wet with arecent snow,
And the woman's feet were agedand slow.
She stood at the crossing and waited long,
Alone, uncared for, midst the throng
Of human beings as they passed her by.
Nor heeding a glance of her anxious eye.
Down the street with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom, school let out.
Came the boys like a flock of sheep
Hailing the snow piles, wide and deep.
Past the woman, old and gray
Hasten the children on their way
Nor offering a helping hand to her,
So meek, so timid, afraid to stare.
Less the carriage wheels and the horses feet
Would prod her on the slippery street.
At last came one of the merriest troup
The gayest laddie of all the group.
He paused beside her and whispered low
I'll help you across if you wish to go.
Her aged hand on a strong,young arm
She placed.  And so without hurt or harm,
He guided her trembling feet along.
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
Then back again to his friend she went
His young heart, happy and well content.
She's somebody's mother, boys.
You know, for all, she's poor,aged and slow.
And I hope some fellow would lend a hand,
To help my mother, you understand,
If ever she's old and poor and gray,
ANd her own dear boy is far away.
Somebody's Mother bowed low,her head
In her home that night. And the prayer she said:
God be kind to that noble boy,
Who is somebody's son with pride and joy.
Faint was the voice, and worn& weak,
But heaven lists when it'schosen speak;
Angels caught the faltering words,
And,  "Somebody's Mother's"was heard.
***(Author Mary D. Brine)***

He was just a little boy,
on a week's first day
He was wandering home from Sunday School,
and dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass,
he found a caterpillar
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
and blew out all the 'filler.'
A bird's nest in a tree over head,
So wisely placed on high
Was just another wonder
that caught his eager eye.
A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
and hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
and what was going on.
"I've been to Bible School," he said
and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm
replying, "I've learned a lot of God."
"M'mm, a very fine way," the neighbor said,
"for a boy to spend his time."
"If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
"I'll give you a dollar Mister, if you can
tell me where God ain't!"
***(Author Unknown)***

Reflections of a Mother
I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make youlearn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be thereto lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot accountfor it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make youbelieve.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannotalways decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannotmake you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept itfor you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it uponyou.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make youunselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force youto show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choosethem for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keepyou pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can'tbuild your reputation.
I can tell you about drinking, but I can't say"no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but i can't preventyou from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can'tachieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't forceyou to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make youmoral.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot placeyou in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walkwith God.
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot makeJesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot giveyou eternal life.
***(Author Unknown)***

As in all of the above, Jim, these are the thingsthat you have done
on your own, and I am very proud of you, as yourDad would be.
I can love you, no matter what, and that I do. Thank you for
making such a great son for me.