Before I Was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether
or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my
mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming
child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

One Flaw In Women

God doesn't give you the people you want,
He gives you the people you NEED.
To help you, to hurt you,
to leave you, to love you
and to make you into the
person you were meant to be.

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Irish Blessings

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

These things, I warmly wish for you-

Someone to love,

Some work to do,

A bit of o’ sun

A bit o’ cheer

And a guardian angel

Always near.

May your troubles be less

And your blessing be more

And nothing but happiness

Come through your door

May your blessings outnumber

The Shamrocks that grow

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

from The Patty's

First Monday poem

The following poem by the late E.A. (Boots) Potter (my dad)
describes Scottsboro’s “First Monday.”
Written back in the 70’s & was printed in the

The Daily Sentinel in Scottsboro
©
First Monday

Once a month in my home town
People come from miles around.
They come by wagon, horse back or car
Some even walk if it’s not too far.

Candidates, preachers, and old mountaineers
Have been coming here for many years.
Some bring their dogs and family too
All kinds of junk both old and new.

And the things they bring for trade
Some they bought and some they made.
Whatever you want just look around
If it was ever made then it’s in town.

Rummage sales and soft drink stands,
Coin dealers and country bands,
Pocket knives, bottles and jars,
Banjos, fiddles, and electric guitars.

First Monday of the month twelve times a year,
People come from far and near.
First time for some, but that’s no sin
If you see it once you’ll come again.

Now as to me- -I’m getting old
And when I was young I was told
This day was started by a swapping deal
Of two work horses out in the field.

Each man agreed when the horses were tried
They would meet First Monday if not satisfied
Each one left when the date was set
That’s how it started and it’s going yet.

If you’ve never been, then you’ve missed a lot.
There are many things you could have got
A gun, a dog or a pocket knife
Most anything- -even a wife.

Girl watchers come from far and near.
Beautiful girls are always here.
Blacks, Whites and Indians too,
Long haired hippies, we have a few.

But it’s not so bad ‘til you look around
At the mess they leave when they leave town.
Now as residents, we always stay
To get it cleaned, the city must pay.

So when you leave just look around,
Try to leave it like it was found.
One other thing I’d like to say
You all are welcome---enjoy the day.

SNOW IN MISSISSIPPI

Well it is snowing here in north Mississippi. The forecast predicts 1 to 2 inches. If it is snowing in Mississippi/The South then "H E double hockey sticks" must have frozen over or because Ex-President Bill Clinton is in Tupelo tonight. The south does not get snow. My mom is convinced the world is coming to an end because of all the freaky things that happen (not Bill). It sure is pretty coming down but my boys are about to have heart attacks if we do not get to go to the movies tonight. My husband is out of town so I have dates with the 2 most handsome boys on earth. "My boys". After we moved from VA several years ago we got rid of ALL the snow equipment. So if we get snowed in come look for me in a few days if I am not heard from...... ;-(

<>< <><

Checked my e-mail & had this in my box. I have always loved this poem.

The Poem

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do.

I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees.

My Christian duty was now done My soul could rest at ease.....

All day long I had no time To spread a word of cheer

No time to speak of Christ to friends, They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry,

No time to give to souls in need

But at last the time, the time to die

I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God! held a book; It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said 'Your name I cannot find

I once was going to write it down... But never found the time!