Hope

Dedicated to those with a Second Chance

I blankly stare across the room of an abandoned building

Close to death but somehow, I am still living

Addicted to the poison I inject in my veins

It's the only way I can escape my self-made pains.

Through the haze and on the ground, I see a rig.

One last hit, I'm gonna end this, Go out big.

My eyes, they close, everything starts to fade...

"Save this life from an eternity in hell," someone softly prayed.

The sirens are loud, the room is so bright.

I hear my mom screaming, "Come on, You have to fight!"

The medical team saved my life that day.

My journey to recovery is hard, but I cannot sway.

I must continue moving forward, my future is my focus.

Thank God for this second chance, I am no longer hopeless.

Growing a Soldier

I've watched you crawl and I've watched you walk.

I was right there beside you as you learned to talk.

Junior high times and high school fun.

From the show ring to Friday Night Lights - You were always my Number One.

Little did I know that in the back of a convenient store,

Sitting across from two heroes I would feel so much more.

Signed my name in ink on a contract passed across the table.

You are destined for greatness, and you are more than able,

To earn the right to proudly wear,

The uniform of a soldier and go where other do not dare.

As you make that ruck and enter The Forge tonight,

Know that every minute, every second it is worth the fight.

Beaming with excitement, we will see you on the other side - 

You in formation, at attention, wearing the Army beret with pride.

Peace Interrupted

Dedicated to Dan & Kelly

There was no warning, No sign that said beware.

The flames they were not picky, The fire, it did not care

That the home it was destroying

Was filled with thirty years of living

A life we built together, you, me,

The children - Our Family.

The walls, they crumbled. The roof, it fell,

Turning our home into a vision of Hell.

Now here we stand sifting through the ashes

Soot on our hands and black tears fill our faces,

With hopes of finding something - anything

Left untouched by the flames that went raging

Through our home, and in every room.

The fire tried it's best to consume

Everything that stood in its path.

Each room of our home suffered its wrath.

But no matter how hot, no matter how strong

The flames could not take everything that belonged.

Our lives are only momentarily disrupted

By a beast that raged and peace interrupted.

We have each other and we have love,

We have hearts full of memories and help from above.

Those things - the fire could not steal,

And together, our pain will begin to heal.

We will rebuild, we will overcome

Our lives will not be left undone.

Daddy

You've stood there with a peaceful smile,

Calm and collective because that's your style.

In the shadows and behind the scenes,

Your hurting heart and tears were never seen.

An hour drive for a quick hello;

I love yous through the car window.

Through difficult times and obstacles;

Even while facing unwinnable battles.

Your peace didn't budge, your spirit never wavered,

The love and compassion you possess never altered.

Though I might not have realized it years ago,

But now,  it's your footsteps I hope to follow.

To be more like you would be such an honor

Because all of my life, you have been the best father.

What is to Come

Deep down in the pit of my soul,
There is a fear of what I do not know.
New year, New beginning. It's what they all say,
But the fear of what is to come, I cannot push away.
Thrusted further into the future with every step.
I do not want to know the secrets that time has so quietly kept.
Tucked away only exposing pieces like a mystery I don't want to solve.
I do not want to know the answer! I don't want to see this evolve!
My peace is disturbed. Life is uncertain.
Please, I beg of you.  Keep what you have hidden behind the curtain.
But, the sun continues to rise only to be chased by the moon;
While hopes and dreams of a peaceful future are gently strewn;
Across the fields like a dandelion blowing in the wind.
While it is beautiful for a moment, the destruction - you cannot mend.
Cautiously, silently, I continue to move ahead.
Praying peace will come to the future I currently dread.