The Longing

As Summer's breeze
Cools into Fall
Like leaves from trees
Before me sprawled

And in my eyes
A tapestry
Both truth and lies
Wove maserfully



In each of these
You still reside
A presence felt
Still at my side

Where 'er you go
My heart goes too
Though distant paths
From those we knew

Throughout my years
Love, lovers and friends
Too well I know
This longing never ends



You get it.  I know you do.  Still...

Saying Goodbye; Saying Hello

Saying goodbye
It is tough when some things pass
As tear drops leave my eyes
And steal my will to laugh

I know that things work out
They always find a way
Choking back my doubt
Embrace the coming day

Saying hello
Rejoice in something new
Bask in dawn’s warm glow
This dear love is true

A new day has begun
And still within my heart
Though new songs must be sung
You have colored every part

 
A New Decade, never forgetting those things and people who have passed from us.  Remembering the joy we felt and even those things that did not go as planned; we survive and triumph.  I thank God for all that has touched me and made me who I am.

Christmas From the Heart

Christmas celebrated around the world. No matter what faith you practice nor what you believe, the season cannot be ignored. For some Christmas is the celebration of the winter solstice, for others a reason to exchange gifts and to merry make. I would like to share my take on this special time.


Christmas signals the birth of hope and forgiveness.

Christmas reminds me that chasing the stars is not only a worthy pursuit but leads to our very salvation.

Christmas is a time where promises are fulfilled and mankind is given another chance.

Christmas serves to remind us that the birth of a child is reason for all men and women to rejoice.

Christmas reminds me that despite what I may fail to do or say I can always choose to redeem myself though humility and contrition.

Christmas says that I am not a slave to my sin but a free man by the grace of God.

Christmas is a time for us to remind all people that they are loved.

This is Christmas for me. I share it with you now, from my heart to yours. May this greeting increase your joy, remind you of your freedom and how great it is to be alive.

To all of you my friends of every creed and faith I wish you Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Kala Christougena, Buon Natale, and Maligayang Pasco!

Shine 'um if you got 'um!

I drove last night
Familiar ways
But darkened streets
Did meet my gaze

The rich and proud
Their lights were out
The heralds of Christmas
Nowhere were found

Till' common homes I chanced to seek
The dwelling places poor and meek
The lights were there!
Still shinning bright

Destroyed the dark
They split the night
They do not fear
The cost of light

So let them flare
As proof to all
There are riches still
For one and all

Know they its proof
We won the fight
Shine 'um if you got 'um!
Don't hide your light


This is dedicated to the Balian Mansion and the homes in Hastings Ranch. TURN IT ON ! ! !

Happiness

Happiness is a living thing
If you want it to grow
You have to believe in it
Feed it, and give it time in the sun
Realize your good fortune
Confess it daily and wear it in public
Your happiness will multiply

Blurred Realities

She walked into my life
And reality blurred
When my vision cleared
I beheld the most exquisite creature
God had ever created in her image
From that moment, I knew
I would never love another

She opened her mouth
And music stirred
When my ears could hear
A voice, just like a star
Choirs of angels stopped and listened too
Since that time, no sound
Could ever stir my heart

She said “I do not want you”
All my worst fears confirmed
When my pain eased
I held no grudge but had to leave
My strength failed
Should I have stayed, my desire
Would surely have driven her away

She touched my soul
Again reality blurred
When I awoke from that dream
I knew that I was better because of her
My soul longs to see, to hear, to be near
Still I know she is safe, secure and loved
I am at peace even in my solitude

Wowo's Smile

I never met a man

Who smiled so much

Sharing warmth like few can

With the kindest touch

A joyous grin

Never once a fake

Shinned from within

For Jesus' sake

Honesty, integrity,

Honorable, and an undeniable

Air of purity

A role-model without rival

Wowo, I cried selfish tears

The day I heard you left

Then I smiled thinking of the years

God gave you as our gift

Thank you for your lesson

Proving love does conquer all

And pray for us a blessing

When we hear the good Lord's call

I know the path to take

I pray I have the courage

I learned what is at stake

From the man who called me George

Wowo, Maraming Maraming Salamat Po. Thank you for reminding me that goodness and honesty still exist. Thank you for giving me a new name even as the Lord gave me a new life. I know you intercede for us now, that we may never forget to practice, honor, honesty, and integrity without hesitation or compromise.

--Para Sayo siempre ako po si George

EVONY

… Dawn spilled over the valley of Stoneton. Even from this distance you could hear the sounds of the villagers working feverishly at their tasks, farming, cutting timber, and mining. The army of Lord Stanless had marched some two days ago hoping to secure more resources and the contingent left behind to guard the city seemed ready for anything. Soldiers practiced their craft and in preparation for what they knew would surely come…

The scout signaled his team. The time was right. The force left behind was no match for Ragnar’s army… Stoneton would fall this day and its bounty would be a boon to the empire! As he turned to mount his horse, an arrow caught him between the shoulder blades. As the world turned black aound him, he wondered if he had earned his place in the hallowed Hall of Heroes in, EVONY…

Welcome to the world of EVONY. You and your friends will take small bands of settlers and raise up an empire. Make alliances, discover new technologies, and develop the greatest cities ever seen! But beware your survival is never guaranteed and danger lurks in every un-explored valley.

EVONY is my newest addiction. As those of you who know me are aware, I am an avid gamer. I have played EverQuest, World of War Craft and nearly every strategy game ever written for PC. I love this game and I know you will too.

EVONY combines strategy and economics in a massive persistent multi-player world. If you enjoy games like CIV you will love the game-play and personal interactions in EVONY.

I am currently playing on Servers 33 and 50. I have been playing for about 3 weeks and can’t get enough. Matt A introduced Matt B and myself to the game. We are hoping to get our Facebook friends, former guild-mates from WoW and EQ to join us.

You can meet our main accounts on Server 33, in the state of Burgundy and we are members of the Unbroken. We are Unbrken6 alliance. My account name is Stanless, Matt A is Advocate023, and Matt B is Poppa. Send an in-game mail to skellington; he is our guild leader. Just let him know you are a friend of ours and you are in. Our guild is one of the top on the server and a better group of people cannot be found anywhere.

The game is fun, the people are great and you can’t loose with us on your team… So, what are you slackers waiting for? Click the link below and help us get some major pwnage going…

Sign up and remember to get on Server 33 on the continent of Burgundy. See you there!

http://evony.com/

En Memoriam: Dr. Antonio De la Cruz, MD

I hardly can fathom
That you’ve really gone
It is hard to imagine
The end of your song

You appeared indestructible
A man with out peer
Living life to it’s fullest
No uncertainty or fear

Hands blessed by God
Vision and insight so rare
Certainty, depth of wisdom
Skill beyond compare

Lifting my cup
In celebration and salute
Following your example
Integral and resolute

We'll say now, farewell
No, never good-bye
In our hearts and minds
Forever alive



I recently heard that Dr. Antonio De la Cruz, MD passed away. My ex-wife and his daughter, Jeannette, called me with the news. I cannot adequately express my personal sadness nor sufficiently extend my condolences to his family. Jeannette and Anthony, your father loved you both more than anything and through everything he knew you loved him too.

Dr. De la Cruz was a role model in so many ways. He embodied hard work, integrity, dignity, and a fearless pursuit of life. I will not seek to deify nor saint him but he did miraculous things with his gifts. The good Dr. knew, as well as any man, the foibles and pitfalls of life. He lived life on his terms and made no apologies for being who he was. It was these characteristics that made me admire him more than any man I have ever personally known.

Dr., I will miss you. I was proud to be your son-in-law. Even though I had not seen you in quite some time your example has driven me to seek the world and all of its experiences. I know that today God and the angels hear our prayers a little more clearly. Gracias por todo doctor.

Cory

So much is made of rock stars
While they treat life like a game
Too often forgotten are those
Who live and die in freedom’s name

We all learned through
Your joys and your tragedies
That the light of hope can shine bright
For all the world to see

An example proudly displayed
Endurance, strength, and resolve
That not even the treachery of dictators
Could ever successfully dissolve

Honesty, courage, and honor
Are your legacies
You sacrificed so much
In the name of liberty

Reunited at last
In God and Ninoy’s arms
Rest well sweet spirit
Away from this cruel world and all its harm



I am moved to tears by the passing of Maria Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009). She and her husband Benigno “Ninoy” Servillano Aquino, Jr. (November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983), were shinning examples of leadership and embodied the price of freedom. To the Aquino family, my Filipino(a) friends, and the freedom loving people of the Philippines, I offer my sincere condolences and respect.