OUR GARDEN REMEMBERED

For as long as I remember, our family had a huge garden that produced
many of the things we could ill afford otherwise. It was the labour of our
parents that filled our tummies and saw to it we got all our vitamins. At the
same time it was feeding us, it gave our parents a lot of extra work of the kind
that is back breaking. First preparing the soil, then planting the seed, watering
and weeding, ever on the watch for aphid, beetle and grub. They toiled from morn
to dusk and never grumbled, because they had enough to keep us from doing without.
When I think of the workload they carried day in and day out, and that was just the
garden. I remember also the washings on the scrub board with using big yellow bars of
Sunlight Soap, for the eight of us and our Grandmother who could speak onlyFrench. I could just cry, and if I had the chance to thank them both for all they didfor us, I’d hug them and never let them go, but I know that the Lord is doing it for
me as I write. Of course that doesn’t take into account the canning so we’d have Winter stores. The house smelled like heaven and since that time, I’ve never
smelled the likes again. The aroma of corn relish simmering on the back of
the wood stove could be smelled clear down the street and set off hunger pangs that
demanded a taste. The crocks of pickles left a briny smell everywhere and after
nine days they were put into a delicious spicy vinegar substance and sealed
until they were ready for consumption. Homemade catsup tasted like a royals
feast to say the least. There were potatoes, corn and carrots, yellow and green beans, onions and tomatoes, by the basket gleaned, cucumbers cool and succulent their
texture oh so crisp, why the king himself could not have dined on a feast as fresh
as this. There were citrons cause dad loved them, and rhubarb by the score, asparagus
and blood-red beets, who could ask for more. Raspberries big, that fit you fingers like a jaunty hat, and blushing red strawberries and even some black caps. Then for a hot summer day watermelons sweet and dripping with their nectar for a drink, that left our faces hands and elbows all rosy and sticky, but we didn’t care a wink. Our garden was the envy of all our neighbours round and they too tasted of its bounty when overabundance would be found. These memories still linger as sights and odours of the past, but most of all the memory of our parents love and devotion and hard labour are indelibly written on our hearts to last.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 28, 2007

BEFORE THE DAWN

Before the dawn awakens
to a bright new day,
I seek You out Lord Jesus
my prayers to You I say.

In the early morning’s silence
in Your presence I must be,
to feed upon Your every Word
store it deep inside of me.

I couldn’t live this life You’ve given
without the treasure of Your Word,
to know Your every promise
in our hearts and ears be heard.

To learn the lessons You have given
to help us grasp Your ways,
to follow You in faith and trust
give to You our hymns of praise.

For Your way is the only one
that leads to heaven’s gate,
filled with Your Word, anticipating
all Your Promises await.

Then the day will surely come
when my soul at last departs,
from the tomb that’s been its dwelling place
to live eternity in Your Heart.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 28, 2007

INTERIOR PILGRIMAGE

The faithful travel many miles
to the shrines of Holy Ones,
to witness miracles and wonders
maybe a vision, spinning sun.

I too have been to many
in the search for greater faith,
what I saw increased my fervour
helped me better run the race.

I witnessed Lord your miracle
saw a host pulse in the sun,
and never burned my retinas
of the blessed that day, was one.

Since that time my faith has taken me
on a voyage in, a Spirit Ship,
the fire of the Spirit fanning
my little flame to keep it lit.

I immersed myself into Your Word
soon to comprehend,
that You my God and Lord of Lords
have always dwelled within.

To know that deep within my heart
His presence every reigns,
I can visit any time I choose
and hear Him speak my name.

I have no need of car or bus
my homage for to pay,
to my God and Father
who lives in my heart to stay.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 27, 2007

TRAVELLING COMPANIONS

I was blessed in a time of trouble
You sent Lynda to my side,
she stood her ground beside me
when I sank beneath the tide.

She’d pick me up with loving words
and hold and comfort me,
she never preached or scolded
but listened, attentively.

She massaged my wounded body
with her understanding ways,
her words, the soothing balm I needed
to lead me to a better day.

Her past had made it possible
to see into my heart,
for she herself was wounded
and had to make a brand new start.

She understood my misery
she saw what others could not see,
with angel’s wings, she flew to my side
her heart of gold to beat for me.

She’s my sister now forever
always in each others care,
and I thank You God for sharing
this angel who’s beyond compare.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 26, 2007

TOO MUCH, AND NOT ENOUGH

It seems the more we have today, the more we want.
The demand for material things is skyrocketing out of control.
There are some who have an overabundance and will never be
able to spend it in five lifetimes. Then there are those who are just
comfortable, yet go about searching for ways to increase their holdings,
unsatisfied with what they’ve got. Then there are those who go from
paycheck to paycheck, often spending what they don’t have, and have to
pay the piper soon enough. But then there are the have nots, who often
through no fault of their own, or from unexpected, unplanned for events
that put them out on the street with no where to turn and yes, there are those
who through lack of forethought or laziness don’t make the effort to take
hold of their lives and change their circumstances. Not counting those who are
born with handicaps and don’t have the means to support themselves. There are
more than likely many other categories or levels of wealth or lack of it. When you
watch the news your heart sinks at the state of the world and the horror of starvation in the third world and yes, even in our own. There is such an imbalance in the world’s wealth where the distance between those that have and those that have not is widening at warp speed. When will we stop hungering for worldly things and crave
what is truly important? When will we rid ourselves of this insatiable greed for
things, and taste the Food that will end all the waste of the time allotted us, by the Source that fulfills our every need, the One True God. When we follow Him
love Him, and trust in Him, because only then will we grasp true happiness.
To know the love of Jesus is to be rich beyond belief.
When will the distance between the two ends of the spectrum meet somewhere in
the middle and at long last embrace each other in brotherly love and see
to each others needs and become a communion of love for the Lord, who will
then say, “well done My good and faithful servants, enter into My Kingdom”.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 25, 2007

VIEW FROM THE SIDELINES

For the most part of my life
I’ve looked on as from afar,
not feeling oneness with my peers
with them, never on a par.

I’ve tried to find the reasons
why I should feel this way,
but there have been no answers
even to this very day.

It has held me back from being
who I really truly am,
and caused me many self doubts
in this life that seemed a sham.

I was not an ugly duckling
I was not a beauty queen,
but somewhere in the middle
at least to me it seemed.

As I stood alone and fearful
as no one took the time to see,
that I had so much to offer
but they chose to exclude me.

Maybe, when they looked my way
they saw my fear and doubt,
and chose the ones more frivolous
and rarely asked me out.

Some took the chance and looked my way
but mostly then I found,
they didn’t really want to know me
their intentions were not sound.

I began to finally see
I was not like the rest,
I wanted someone true and faithful
who would be for me the best.

In earnest I commenced to pray
asked Him to intercede,
bring to me the one You’ve chosen
who will fulfill my every need.

You answered every aspect
of this my fervent prayer,
and our union’s been cemented
with the love of God we share.

It had always been Your plan
to bring me to the place,
where I would find my one and only
true happiness to ever taste.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 23, 2007

NOW IS THE TIME

In this time before Easter,
this time of change and renewal,
let us rend our hearts of all that is dark
cold and lacking in love. Help us Lord, to step out
in faith and stretch our arms towards You, and watch
as You, seeing this, run towards us with Your Holy Face
bathed in joy at our long awaited acknowledgment of You
as our God and Saviour. How we long for all men to have this
glorious experience and to finally know Your promises, graces and
blessings. To know that to repent of past sins frees us to be all
that You want us to be. To be free as to fly like an eagle and and frolic
like the new-born lambs in the pasture as to show their joy for
the gift of life. They let nothing hold them back, never ashamed of
their boldness in showing love for their Creator. If we could be so bold and
show our love for You Lord in this fashion. I just know You would be in our
midst sharing in our joy and rejoicing right along with us. We however, have
lost our innocence and have forgotten what it is like to be as little children.
It is so sad, but it’s never too late! We can become a renascence, like new-born
babes, not bothered by what someone may think, but to enjoy the pure love
of You Jesus and experience heaven on earth.
May this time of Lent be for us all a time to bolster our faith and make ready
a home in our hearts for the Glorious Resurrected Jesus who wants to reside with
us sharing every infinitesimal event of our daily lives and to pour out endless rivers
of His love and mercy upon us. God is Love and He does what He does best, that
of loving every child who has been born, who is being born and those yet to be born,
no favouritism. HE IS LOVE!

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 21, 2007

COME OUT

My beloved children:

Do you not see the signs of impending darkness?
Have you not eyes to see, ears to hear a heart that feels all
a-tremble at the worsening state of man and the world. The fog
of Satan is everywhere, even infiltrated into My church and into
some of My shepherds who now wish to change My Laws, and do
things their way. How quickly they forget their anointing and cease
to feed their sheep and forget to watch over them so they are
scattering at an alarming rate and giving joy to the father of lies.
The Holy Sacrament of Marriage has been scandalized by those who
would have all kinds of abominable unions, a slap in My face and a
terrible sword in My side. All sorts of filth and grime have attached their
tendrils to the hearts of men to the point where they no longer feel compassion
or know what sin is, so it just spirals out of control and in their blindness
sink deeper into darkness. How My heart yearns for their return to the fold,
so I can wipe away their tears and erase their many sins. The hour is getting
late My children, so come quickly to the safe refuge that is My Sacred Heart.
To you My children who are lukewarm, I say come out. Come out of your tombs
and draw near to the fire that is My love for you. Gather round and feel the
warmth of a God who gives you every chance to change and will fill you with
every grace and blessing imaginable. If you turn to me, and come closer to My
cleansing fire, I will burn away all that holds you back from giving yourself
fully to Me, then you will know what you have been missing for so long.
For you My faithful ones, you bring to Me your obedience, your love for your
neighbour, your service to My people, your faithfulness to all My commands and
My heart’s fire burns with the force of a million suns. What joy you bring to
Me and I desire to give you all of Paradise. It will be yours in due time and all
I ask is that you persevere in what remains of your earthly existence doing
good and helping your fellow man and the rewards, you can not even imagine.
Hold on little flock, the time is short and even now if you listen closely you can
hear My still small voice calling through time bringing anticipated joy to every heart.
Until then, I bless you......Jesus

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 19,2007

MY FRIEND THE COMPUTER

When first I met my computer
I gazed at its keys in dread,
can I learn to speak its language
will it fit inside my head.

Yet it called for me to try it
so I did with outside help,
many times it jammed, would not respond
mostly when I was by myself.

From frustration, to frustration
I continued, till at last
I found that I could master
nearly every complicated task.

Now I work and learn upon it daily
and it’s not evil as some say,
it’s up to all who use them
to seek not the evil way.

Yes, there’s darkness in it’s make up
put there by those who’s choice is sin,
it’s my choice to choose the decent
and bring Your Light to men.

Out of cyberspace comes words of love
to heal and comfort all who see,
for the Lord is ever present
in this world’s technology.

It’s up to me to use it, for the good
bring His message to its memory,
and hopefully all who use it
will choose the good side that I see.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 17,2007

TRUST, REWARDED

I see You my God and Father
more than in my early years,
as giver of all heaven’s gifts
and the eraser of my fears.

For as the years have flowed at times
full of turbulence or peace,
in painful slowness I began to learn
that my trust in You, must increase.

As I searched through the archives
of all past memories,
what I found dearest Father
brought me quickly to my knees.

You had been right there beside me
and not yet had I learned
of Your faithfulness and mercy
of trust not yet discerned.

More times than not my prayers were answered
as sometimes the answer’s no,
but then You fulfilled another dream
Your love for me to show.

When we are afraid and drifting
upon life’s stormy sea,
listen to His gentle words
“put your trust in me.”

The rewards will be a hundred fold
and the truth you’ll come to see,
that God loves it when we say to Him
“Lord, I put my trust in Thee.”

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 17, 2007

MY FRIEND ACROSS THE RIVER

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with special friends.
Friends who are faithful, fun loving, and always there when
you need them. Who know how to say just the right things to make
a sad heart smile and who wrap their arms around you when the
thing you need most is a hug and they are ever obliging. They are
deliverers of God’s Love and mercy and repair all the little bruises of
this topsy turvy world. My friend Maren came into my life when we were both
in our early teens. She didn’t come from far off, but from right across
the river from us. I suspect we met at school, but am not totally certain
of this. From our first meeting, we were inseparable and spent long
hours together getting to know each other better. She would come to
our house after supper sometimes, and had to wait on the porch while
our family prayed the Rosary which was our time of togetherness with Our Lord,
and our Blessed Mother. Then, in her words, we would head off downtown
to pound the pavement and see what was happening in the peaceful village of
Tweed. Often we’d refresh ourselves at Kwan’s Restaurant and have a cherry
coke and play some songs on the mini juke boxes that were stationed in
every booth. It was a haven for kids our age and the patrons of the place
were always happy to see us. Our walks would take us by the stores
where at a later date we would have our first jobs. The Stedman’s Store was
the first place that hired many of us and taught us how to treat our customers,
and to do a full day’s work as best we could. It didn’t pay much, but gave us
our first experience of being out from under our parent’s wings. The park, was
always a high spot to go and inspect the boys who in turn inspected us, this
game being played out since time began. It was an exciting time and the air
was always pregnant with the unknown and we were young and full of ourselves.
It was an electric time and we were fully charged. I must say that we overworked our
guardian angels at these times because in our foolishness, we took risks that today
in retrospect, we see that God kept us out of harms way. Maren was always the athletic
one and this is where we couldn’t be on sports teams together, because my health slowed
me down considerably. I did play some volleyball, but detested the bloomers we had to
wear for gym. Glamorous they were not! I remember once we each packed a picnic lunch
and walked up the highway a ways and climbed a small hill, watched the traffic, talked
and shared many things in our lives, plus our packed lunch. Another memory was when
you took me into your home and your mom had made some eggnog. I had never had
it before, so I tried it and wouldn’t you know it I was the one who got that little slippery
thing that’s part of the egg and I came so close to upchucking on the floor. I was so
embarrassed and to this day have never let eggnog touch my lips again. I liked
going to your house because there was always a chance I’d get to meet your brother
Peter, who with his extreme height, blond curly hair and blue eyes had me
spell bound, I’ll bet you didn’t know that Maren. We both sang in the choir of our respective Churches and my choir practice was at The Convent where every Wednesday night we got
together with Sister Joan of Arc to hone our voices. If I was done first, I’d go wait at Maren’s
church and listen to them practice. They sang like angels! If she was finished first, the opposite took place. Maren was gung ho for sports of any kind, and swimming was one of them. She attempted to swim across Stoco Lake while some guy rowed a boat along side of her. She made it to the island with no trouble, but came back without going further. She was blond and pretty and attracted the boys like bees to honey. Deep inside I wanted to be like her and I looked up to her, not understanding at the time that we must make the best of who we are and not wish our life away. Luckily in time (a long time) I learned with the help of God that I was somebody too and that I have a mission on this earth, and I aim to complete it. I know I can do the job because I don’t have to do it alone. He is always with me! Our time
together flew and one day you informed me that you were moving to Labrador as your dad had acquired a job there. That was very traumatic for me, and I imagine for you too. However, adjust we must. It seemed in no time you were writing me that you had met someone and were engaged to be married. Life really did change at that time, for me too, as I, not too
long afterwards met my young swain, on Valentine’s Day no less and by Nov. 13 of the same year we were married and we both started new lives, which is another story for another time.


Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 15,2007

OASIS OF HEALING

Where can I go Lord
to heal my wounded heart,
for it’s been torn asunder
help me make a brand new start.

A portion has been borne away
emptiness has come to reign,
is there anything You can do Lord
to take away this pain.

I am no longer whole, complete
that which is gone, so sorely missed,
in this desert I am parched and sad
my heart needing Your sweet kiss.

Take me to that sweet oasis
where I’ve ever longed to be,
it’s the inn where there is always room
and there’s never any fee.

Your heart of love is always welcoming
those who’ve been put to the test,
You bid us one and all, come in
to Your Sacred Heart and rest.

Lord, You have everything we need
and even much, much more,
I knock Lord, come and let me in
my broken heart Lord to restore.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 14,2007

PRAISES IN THE NIGHT

I have come oh God in the night, to where You dwell
at the centre of my being. I seek You Lord in the
softness of the night to tell You of my love and to thank You
for the bountiful gifts You rain down upon me from heaven’s heights.
Oh that all would know You thus. In the day with the hustle
and bustle of life, any such thoughts would be drowned out by
the noise of this modern world, hence Your peace and joy are
hidden under this din that envelopes us and I say to You Lord,
“in Your mercy, hear my prayer”, and let me feel Your presence this
night and always:
My Lord and my God, my King and Saviour, my Redeemer and my Beloved,
I love You with all of me, but it is still just a drop in the ocean of Your great love.
How I long to love You more and to receive more of Your Love, but Lord,
how can I endure more? My weak and sinful being feels as if it will break
under the weight of Your Agape Love. I am totally filled with Your Mercy
and Your forgiveness. I am an open vessel to receive all from out Your
hands and though You fill me, I hunger still for more. I can never get enough
of Your abundant gifts and blessings. I thank You Lord, for all the things
You grant me here on earth every day, and I long for the day when You
will finally call me to join in the banquet of the Lamb and I will see You
face to face and realize at last the fruits of living my life, to the best of my
ability, doing Your Holy Will. I thank You for the gift of joy that reigns
ever in my heart, Your Word and Your Eucharist are the food that my soul
longs for and which keep me ever longing for more. Write on my heart and
mind with Your most Precious Blood, all Your truths so that I may assist You
in bringing all Your Lambs back into the fold. I ask this Lord in the name of
Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and guided by the Holy Spirt.
Amen.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 12,2007

A LETTER TO HEAVEN

This day we laid you to rest on Mount Calvary’s Hill,
the day was gripped in Winter’s icy hand and the
chill wind blew and our saddened hearts were seized
with frigid grief. Our minds all thinking in unison of
how much you, dear friend, disliked being cold, and I
would find you sometimes all bundled up in multi-layers
of clothing trying to warm your shivering body. In my minds
eye, I see you and your ever smiling face, that would
light up any room you entered and when anyone was speaking
to you, they always got your undivided attention. Then there
were the times when you lost your train of thought or couldn’t
find the words to express yourself and you had a habit of repeating
in rapid succession something that sounded like num, num, num, num
which in some strange way seemed to get you started again. It was at
times comical to watch you as you did your best to untangle yourself from
your oxygen hoses with a few mild expletives like drat, and darn. The
beauty that was you and was in you left all who met you spell-bound,
and in awe of your courage, strength and then there was the love that
seeped out of your very pores. The closer you came to leaving us, the
more you became love as Christ is Love, your life being an arduous
journey to the One and Only True Love of your life, your King and Saviour
Jesus Christ. It was only today that you were laid to rest, but so many times
I have started to go to the telephone to call you as was my habit everyday.
Your face is constantly before me and I feel your nearness, and I thank God
for our friendship and I know that I haven’t lost a friend, but have gained
a prayer warrior in heaven, whose prayers at this time are more powerful
than when you were among us. If there is a way, Pauline will find it, and
she will joyfully intercede for us all to the Father who will listen to
His faithful little lamb, and grant her every wish. Until next time
dear friend and sister, bask in the rays of The Son and sing His praises,
and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 10, 2007

I AM WITH YOU

Oh Lord we’ve felt your presence
in this our time of trial,
in pain and grief we know Lord
You were with us all the while.

You remind us of the good times
the rest begins to dim,
and all that is important
we stuck it out through thick and thin.

In the good times and the bad
love never lost its place,
and united in His perfect love
each new day you did face.

This love we share in marriage
this grace, this gift divine,
to be cherished and kept in our hearts
to the very end of time.

Lord, never let it falter
help us always keep it new,
fresh as a daisy in the morning
until that day we meet with You.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 09, 2007

YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

In the Sacrament of Marriage
we exchange a solemn vow,
to be faithful ever loyal
to our chosen wedded spouse.

It’s a vow that must be taken
in the utmost seriousness,
the two being a true image
of God’s power and tenderness.

To respect each other always
each having equal dignity,
to be open to God’s gift of life
accept what comes to be.

In time when maybe life’s routines
become mundane, the spark does cool,
you’ll maybe think that love is dying
but it’s not normally the rule.

Love goes through different stages
as the years of living bring about,
a deeper, ever growing love
when we pray and work it out.

If your eye begins to wander
beware, it’s Satan’s snare,
he makes you think it’s over
of his evil lies beware.

He’ll try his best to get you
to break your Sacred Vow,
before he gets a foothold
let Jesus show you how.

In our union we are not alone
when we married He was there,
He will help us heal as trouble comes
His wisdom with us share.

So just because things seem to change
don’t worry, it’s the way that it should be,
with His love sealed deep within us
we’ll be one eternally.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 04, 2007

A CHILD’S FEBRUARY JOYS

This February day started out stormy and though it’s beautiful, I am very content to watch it from the inside where the warmth of the house engulfs me, and gets me thinking of how I used to find it so exhilarating to get all bundled up with sweaters, scarves, mittens and boots, and off I’d go to brave sliding down double-bump hill that was situated so conveniently right at the back of the empty lot adjacent to our property. The hill was never without someone speeding wildly to its bottom, their screams not of fright, but pure joy, and faces glowed from the kiss of the icy wind on our cheeks, and our noses running in the cold, but we didn’t know it, and I’m sure we wouldn’t have cared anyway. The trek back up the hill was nothing to us kids as we knew there would once again be the thrill of zooming down the hill another glorious time. The first bump came so quickly as we literally flew over it like a ski jumper and when we hit the earth again, it was with a terrific jolt that rattled our bones and then quickly on its heels was bump number two mimicking the first to perfection. Oh the joy of sleighing, and though it was extremely cold, we were warm from the exertion of climbing back up the hill. By this time we had, had enough, and knew by the grumbling of our stomachs that mom would have supper on the table. We left the hill and returned to our warm homes with our outer clothing coated with little ice balls, and our mittens hard as rocks. Mom would help us to get all our coats and boots off and arrange them near the wood stove to dry. After supper with our tummies all full and the warmth of the house had permeated deep into our bones, the same cozy feeling of being secure and loved would rise up to the surface and at that time I knew God was nearby and whispering to our hearts of His love and that He was watching over us all. Sleep would come easy because of the exertion of our play and before long, the house was quiet as mom and dad had some free time to themselves for the first time that day. The next day as we gazed out frosted window panes to see what the weather was like we could see it was an ideal day to go skating on the river. The boys on the street and their fathers were shovelling a large rink and there was always the spot under the first pier of the bridge, where the wind would barrel through and whip the ice clean like a bottle. In the crevices where the pressure of the ice had made huge cracks we could see that it was over a foot thick and very safe. I was never a powerful skater, and had to rest a lot, but there were special times when for one reason or another, I would get my second wind and I would go and go without tiring and these times are indelibly written in my memory. How is it possible for one child to have such a blessed life? I remember making snow forts and having snowball fights from our protected position and making angels in the snow and slurping icicles when we got thirsty. Our homes were trimmed in icicles weeks at a time and dad used to pile snow high up on the foundation to make the house warmer. On washday, the house smelled of frozen long johns that stood by themselves, and other articles of laundry brought in after a good freezing on the line outside. In the evening these articles would be hung throughout the house making it unnecessary to have a humidifier and they dried on lines that magically disappeared during the day. We as children drank our fill of winter’s cup of joy and I can’t gaze upon such days as these without remembering the blessings of my youth, and realize that though we were not rich in material things we were millionaires in the love and caring of faithful parents who gave to us their all.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 03, 2007

THE LAST ROSE

As I stand at the threshold
of the Autumn of my life,
only now, my petals opening
to the full, with beauty rife.

We all mature at different times
no two can be the same,
for Lord You love variety
in the garden where You reign.

Every kind of flower
has its own time to bloom,
His garden never without colour
or their heavenly perfume.

Petals opening up too early
before the time is right,
never reaching peak perfection
so to blush within His sight.

I’m the last rose of the Summer
blooming in the nick of time,
for it is now my season
God given beauty now to shine.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb.. 01, 2007