This I wrote and had it published in the Patriot Newspaper, Sept. 6, 1990. It was sent to the men with a Banner of Love. Now I dedicate to all those who have served during the Gulf War!

Alpha company is number one.
Which when they're not working,
they can be lots of fun.
It's hard for some to really know,
why our men had to go.
We want peace in our world,
and not some war.
This one of the reasons,
our men left us for.
They have to prove a point,
to the people of Iraq.
That taking hostages is wrong,
and we want them back.
They invaded Kuwait,
without any concent.
So we back our men,
one hundred percent.
It's their job,
to make it right.
To follow orders,
with all their might.
It was hard for them,
to say goodbye.
To watch their love ones,
with tears in their eyes.
So they packed their gear,
and carried them away.
Saying, "Hey Babe,
I'll be back, someday!"
They work awfully hard,
to pull together.
What they're doing now,
will be remember, forever!
So here is to you guys,
who we love the best.
You are the ones we're looking for,
among the rest.

From the ones who love you!
(The A. company women)

by: Jessica Lewis

The sun is hot, the pain is real.
So much hurt inside, almost impossible to heal.
I miss you today, I'll miss you tomorrow.
Only you could end this aching sorrow.
You had your reasons, we'll never understand.
Why you took your life with your own hand.
With that I will leave this in mind.
You'll be missed more than you'll ever know,
and your memory will never be let go.

Joshua was a very personal close friend of my family. He was also one of my students. Josh loved coming into the video store and harrassing me out of pure fun, while I was working during the weekends. He was a down right good looking, 17 year old boy. From Richford, Vt. On August 13, 1998, He loaded up a shot gun, went inside his bedroom, and shot himself in the heart. Rumor had it, he was on coke, and stoled his father's paycheck. His mother threw him out of the house. But he came back, and took his life. Well, how many of us are in need of help? One way or another, each of our souls are reaching out and feeling lost. Please, don't forget to tell your friends and family how much you care. Love them unconditionally! It may be the last time you'll ever see them again!!!!
Josh, I miss you!!!! Cathy

I've learned that you cannot make someone
love you. All you can do is be someone who
can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.

I've learned that it takes years to build up
trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that it's not what you have in
your life but who you have in your life that
counts.

I've learned that you can get by on charm for
about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd
better know something.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare
yourself to the best others can do but to the
best you can do.

I've learned that it's not what happens to
people that's important. It's what they do
about it.

I've learned that you can do something in an
instant that will give you heartache for
life.

I've learned that no matter how thin you
slice it, there are always two sides.

I've learned that it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I've learned that it's a lot easier to react,
than it is to think.

I've learned that you should always leave
loved ones with loving words. It may be the
last time you see them.

I've learned that you can keep going long
after you think you can't.

I've learned that we are responsible for what
we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned that either you control your
attitude or it controls you.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and
steamy a relationship is at first, the
passion fades and there had better be
something else to take its place.

I've learned that heroes are the people who
do what has to be done when it needs to be
done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that learning to forgive takes
practice.

I've learned that there are people who love
you dearly, but just don't know how to show
it.

I've learned that money is a lousy way of
keeping score.

I've learned that my best friend and I can do
anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you
expect to kick you when you're down will be
the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I
have the right to be angry, but that doesn't
give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues
to grow, even over the longest distance. Same
goes for true love.

I've learned that just because someone
doesn't love you the way you want them to
doesn't mean they don't love you with all
they have.

I've learned that maturity has more to do
with what types of experiences you've had and
what you've learned from them and less to do
with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that you should never tell a
child their dreams are unlikely or
outlandish. Few things are more humiliating,
and what a tragedy it would be if they
believed it.

I've learned that your family won't always be
there for you. It may seem funny, but people
you aren't related to can take care of you
and love you and teach you to trust people
again. Families aren't biological.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend
is, they're going to hurt you every once in a
while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to
be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to
learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that no matter how bad your
heart is broken the world doesn't stop for
your grief.

I've learned that our background and
circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that sometimes when my friends
fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I
don't want to.

I've learned that just because two people
argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each
other. And just because they don't argue, it
doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put
the individual ahead of their actions.

I've learned that we don't have to change
friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager
to find out a secret. It could change your
life forever.

I've learned that two people can look at the
exact same thing and see something totally
different.

I've learned that no matter how you try to
protect your children, they will eventually
get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned that there are many ways of
falling and staying in love.

I've learned that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves get
farther in life.

I've learned that no matter how many friends
you have, if you are their pillar you will
feel lonely and lost at the times you need
them most.

I've learned that your life can be changed in
a matter of hours by people who don't even
know you.

I've learned that even when you think you
have no more to give, when a friend cries out
to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that writing, as well as
talking, can ease emotional pains.

I've learned that the paradigm we live in is
not all that is offered to us.

I've learned that credentials on the wall do
not make you a decent human being.

I've learned that the people you care most
about in life are taken from you too soon.

I've learned that although the word "love"
can have many different meaning, it loses
value when overly used.

I've learned that it's hard to determine
where to draw the line between being nice and
not hurting people's feelings and standing up
for what you believe.

~author unknown~

Love is
...Something that never dies.
Love is always there, never uncertain.
Love is not only loving, but being loved.
For if you feel that you are being loved,
your love becomes stronger.
It grows until it consumes your whole life.
One should never say, "I once loved you".
Because love is never a one time affair.
Only physical love is such the case.
Not true love.
True love is always there, never uncertain.
If you have been shot down,
as the saying goes.
Thank God that you are alive and not dead.
For such a love was not true.
And not being true,
It would never have lasted.
If it leaves you sad and with memories.
If it makes you uncertain of the future.
If it seems as if the end of the world is near.
You must live each day to its fullest extent;
Hoping the pain goes away;
Praying that your true love will feel as strong,
if not stronger in loving you.
Love is something that you never want to shut your heart to;
For if you shut your heart to love,
You shut your eyes to life.
And shutting your heart to love,
You become a plant.
And not the Supreme creature,
that God intended you to be.

~Author Unknown~

~NEXT PAGE~

OTHER BEAUTIFUL POETRY SITES Precious Love "Eternal Love" My Valentine Diane's lovely Valentine poems!