"Let Them Love You"

 

Painting of Orphanage by Daniel Coston

My Uncle Joe at Christmas at ABHC (plaid
shirt on left holding red/white box)

My Aunt Irene going to church
 with other children at ABHC (blue sweater
and white dress holding Bible on right)

My Uncle Art planting crops
 at ABHC (plaid shirt and dark pant on knees)

My father Kenneth in senior boys dorm
at ABHC (white shirt and arms crossed on left)

 

Oba and Mrs Dosunmu in 2008

Pastor Dosunmu and I
ordaining Sam Okezie

"Our Sun-Kissed Pillow"

Written while thinking of Kimberly Pledger as I flew above the clouds coming back home from a missions trip to Russia, Estonia, Finland, and Uganda in December, 2021. The backdrop picture on which my poem was based has no filters, and was taken with my cellphone from 30,000 feet. It is natural and real-life just as our marriage relationship has been for these many years. 

 

"The Handmade Frame"

Written for every servant of God who has labored with little applause from men and seemingly you are not remembered by those whom you served. "Your labour is not in vain in the Lord" I Corinthians 15:58

Missionary Brian Kelly to Guyana

Oh, Meadow of Mine

I wrote this poem because I cherish the name of my wife, Kimberly, and its meaning. The latter part "LY" has the idea of "a meadow". The first part, "KIMBER" means "a royal fortress" I love it because I imagine a traveler in medieval times on a journey to some castle in a distant region. I think about how that he would come to a clearing and see his destination, and would rush across the plain towards the beautiful castle, only to be captured by the beauty of the grassland where he was passing. 

Often in life, we miss out on the nearby treasures while seeking far distant imaginations of what we would find for ourselves. Ten years ago, God slowed me down just long enough to find the sweetest and most kindhearted woman that I could find to be my wife. I married Kimberly Maddox and she has become my place of rest from the busy world around us. She is MY MEADOW

Kim and I with our first grandsons, Oliver and Jameson

 

Remember That We Love You

It isn't easy to watch a parent slip away emotionally or mentally with dementia or some other  debilitating illness such as alzheimer's. It must be doubly hard to be the parent who cannot seem to remember their childrens names, their age, or a million other important details from their lives.

Over the past year or so, I have watched my mom in law go through the early stages of dementia that affect so many elderly. She has taken it like a trooper. I wrote her this poem to celebrate her 87th birthday and so that she might be reminded again that those around her have an unceasing love for her. I also wrote it for all the seniors who struggle day by day to remember their families and the joys of being a spouse, a parent, and a grandparent. 

God blesed me with two of the greatest in laws that a man could have when I married my sweet wife, Kim. Jerri and Jack Maddox have treated me like one of their own from the very day I met them. 

You've Made Me Better

A wife/husband should strive to make their spouse a better person for being united in matrimony. I knew that Kim (Maddox) Pledger would make me a better individual from the first time I met her. I was to meet her and go on our first date in Panama City in late 2010, when she notified me that our date would need to be delayed slightly due to her commitment to sing at the funeral of her pastor's mother inlaw. I showed up at the graveside, watched her bless the hearts of those grieving Afterwards we were off to our first date. Since that day and now after 9 years of marriage, I know she was made for me as well as I for her. She completes me and helps me in areas where I have  am weak. I could not do all that I do without her. She is my inspiration. Thank you, Kim for "making me better"