SUMMER DAYS

Soft Summer days are with us
sweet days of warmth and sun,
of trips and games and picnics
a little loafing too, for fun.

A time at last, to finally read
that book long on the shelf,
to do all the things so longed for
that are all of Summer’s wealth.

To putter in the garden
absorbing sun and breeze,
each action one of tender love
spent down upon our knees.

Oh the joy of tending
the works of God’s own hand,
and cherishing His creatures
cultivating all that is His plan.

The first order of each day will be
a prayer of thanks and praise,
to the one and only God of love
the Creator of our days.

For in all that is around me
I see His image there,
He gives us all our Summer days
His love’s for all to share.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
June 29, 1998

PASSING SORROW

The steeple bell is tolling
soft and slow it sadly rings,
strains of the organ wafting
a voice now sweetly sings.

Of how the Lord, He is my shepherd
He leads me down to lie,
in pastures green, He gives repose
and bids me now abide.

Oh the sadness of the moment
the dreadful sense of loss,
a loved one comes before the altar
to the meeting with the Cross.

With the Mass of Resurrection
and the words of love and hope,
comes joy to dwell within our hearts
helping all to heal and cope.

Your goodness Lord, will follow me
all my live-long days,
I will dwell within Your house Lord
with You forever stay.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
June 13, 1998

FOOTSTEPS IN TIME

At the onset of life’s journey
we are cloaked with health and strength,
we walk and live with vigour
each new days breadth and length.

With speed the years accumulate
we see not at first the change,
and slowly, ever slowly
our days we have to rearrange.

Then one day we realize
time has fled and we are old,
we move with aching slowness
minding more the damp and cold.

One by one life’s pleasures
are left along the way,
like the garments torn from Jesus
the price He had to pay.

With Jesus we are nearing
with Him we share the Cross,
our pain with His united
nothing wasted, nothing lost.

With Him we die and rise again
our raiment glory kissed,
to live in heaven’s mansion
in God’s eternal bliss.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Apr. 05, 1998

GIFTS

You give us gifts abundant
some to us yet unknown,
only with times passing
their beauty comes full blown.

The blessings of our families
Your gifts of moms and dads,
of our brothers and our sisters
that make our hearts so glad.

The friends You bring into our lives
who help to make us grow,
in love and in compassion
they’re a joy for us to know.

There are so many others
too numerous to count,
for Your goodness is eternal
love and mercy’s deepest fount.

There’s another I could mention
that till now I could not see,
Your very extra special one
it is Your gift of me.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Mar. 05, 1998

THE WAY OF THE SHEPHERD

The Shepherd goes before us
His footsteps lead the way,
as we tread through earthly pastures
to the end of each new day.

The path sometimes, bleak and lonely
we feel not Your presence near,
we flounder, trip and often fall
beset by dread and fear.

We call out to You for guidance
and pray a heartfelt prayer,
suddenly Your there before us
in truth, were always there.

Then one day a test You send
our faithfulness to see,
a cross to carry, hard and heavy
with You to Calvary.

Help us to accept Oh Lord
this gift from out Your hand,
and follow Your steps, full of courage
accept what is Your plan.

For in Your wisdom, Lord You know
what’s best, in You we trust,
all Your lambs You lead to safety
to pastures green and lush.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Feb. 11, 1998

GARDEN OF SORROW

I come oh Lord to be with Thee
in this garden of sorrow, Gethsemane,
My heart all weighted by worries and cares
wants to comfort You Jesus, Your destiny share.

Abandoned, alone, You kneel to plea
for the ones who’s sins You will set free,
I come close beside You, put my hand in Yours
sadly watch as the blood drips as sweat from Your pores.

A river of mercy for one and for all
shed for all men, the great and the small,
my own cares forgotten, by the truth that I see
that You would suffer such pain, for a sinner like me.

Whenever my cares seem, as mountains so high
I go to the mountain, to understand why,
He suffered so greatly, His example to spread
to show how He loves us, He died in our stead.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Jan. 21, 1998

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Christmas is coming once again
in the air a sense of cheer,
my thoughts drift back to younger days
to the joys of yesteryear.

To a home filled not with luxuries
but with love and life and caring,
a mom and dad who gave their all
with their children ever sharing.

As the holidays came closer
the wood stove glowed near red,
the odour of mom’s baking
of cookies, pies and bread...

Filled every nook and cranny
they were a wondrous sight,
there was love in every morsel
how we longed to take a bite.

We’d spend our days tobogganing
and skating on the frozen pond,
of making angels in the snow
we were all so very fond.

We’d arrive for supper cheeks aglow
from playing in the yard,
our coats and mittens frozen
with ice balls beaded hard.

Daddy laboured long and hard
in a job with little pay,
so quiet, not complaining
of what trial did come his way.

We gazed in wonder at the tree
revelling in its scent,
and dreamed of toys and goodies
our hearts all full, content.

We didn’t see the hours
mom spent sewing late at night,
to make our lovely presents
to our eyes, ‘twas out of sight.

Our gifts were what we needed
each child received the same,
stockings filled with nuts and treats
and delicious candy canes.

Christmas morn we went to Mass
there was magic in the air,
Jesus had come to nestle
in the manger lying there.

In the pews the people sat
love and joy upon their faces,
the miracle happened once again
peace in our hearts He places.

Aunts and uncles, cousins
came to share our Christmas meal,
three sittings not unusual
joyful noise made our heads reel.

Then as the joyous day wound down
reflecting the happiness we’d had,
we thanked God for the best gift
of a loving mom and dad.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Nov. 27, 1997