Can You Believe It

Can You Believe It

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? I’m in heaven!
Can you believe it? I’ve been
dancing before God’s golden throne,
my hands raised in praise and grinning
so wide my cheeks should be hurting -
but they’re not.

Hey Susie, it's Sheila!
Guess what? It's awesome!
Can you believe it? I spin
around and still can't take it all in.
I've never seen colors so bright
Like vibrant gemstones in light -
but much more than not.

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? Jesus is laughing!
Can you believe it? Laughing!
As I stand, mouth hung wide open,
my sweet Savior is chuckling
at this once ugly duckling –
but now I’m not.

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? He loves ME!
Can you believe it? Completely!
The Lord loves every inch of me;
from top to bottom, within and without,
I don’t know how there is no doubt -
but there’s not.

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? They’re singing!
Can you believe it? A choir so
grand that I can’t see its end,
singing a song of welcoming,
celebrating my homecoming.
I’m in heaven!

Can you believe it?

Oh Susie, it's Sheila again!
Guess what I forgot?
Believe it or not? Mom's here!
She met me outside the grandest gate!
When I saw her, tears of joy I cried.
Then, my last tear God himself dried!
There's no tears in heaven, Susie.
There's really not!
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Today, the day after Sheila's burial, I was doing just fine - sad still - but fine. Sheila is still very much on all of our minds. Her death being so sudden and her being so young, how could it not be? Still, as I was crossing the parking lot to go to lunch today, from nowhere I hear her singsong voice perfectly clear, just as she always sounded when she called me:

            "Hey Susie! It's Sheila! Guess what? I'm in heaven! Can you believe it?"

My breath caught. My steps stumbled a bit as my hand went to my mouth and tears welled in my eyes. I climbed into my truck and cried. The tears were bittersweet; tears of joy tinged with sadness. I felt so blessed by the moment. I prayed that God would help me tell others what I had heard. I prayed He would help me put into words a poem that would help the family heal. I pray now that I have accomplished that and also that what I have written is pleasing to God as well.

A part of me wants to wait like I normally do with a poem; let it simmer and stew as I add, delete, rearrange and let it season. Another part of me says I need to share it now. So, I have decided to do both. I am posting the poem, knowing full well that I might make changes later. Right now though, it makes me smile as I visualize Sheila dancing around God's throne grinning ear to ear. I hope it makes you smile too.
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Merciful Father, thank You for letting me hear Sheila today. I already knew she was with You, but it was just so perfect! To hear the joy, the excitement in her voice . . . all I can say is thank You. Please give Sheila a hug from me, God, and tell her I miss her. She loves hugs, but then, You know that. I don't understand the why, Lord, but I accept Your will. ~ Amen

For Sheila

The One Who Always Hugged Me


We didn't always see eye to eye.
She was spoiled & stubborn
with a need to be right. . .
and a mischievous delight;
with an impish smile and eyes
gleaming bright.

She always hugged me. . .

Beneath her willful ways
was a heart inlaid with gold;
one of the most caring souls
you could ever hope to know.
Her loving heart could not help
but overflow.

She always hugged me. . .

Disbelieving & astonished,
let reality be but a dream.
She has been too soon taken,
our secure world - now shaken.
Yet, they say the Lord's will is never
. . . mistaken. . .

I will forever miss
the one who always hugged me tight. . .
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Sweet Jesus, A part of me has to laugh. Sheila has nothing left to worry about. She has no burdens, no cares, no hurts - only love! Wrap her in Your arms and let Your love envelop her. Love beyond what she has ever known on this earth! Then, I can see the bright smile on Aunt Dona's face as her daughter walks from Your embrace straight into her mother's arms.
And God, please help those of us grieving over her leaving us so suddenly here below. ~ Amen

Written 02/19/11 by Susan Bunn Tarrant, in memory of Sheila Frances Powers Dunn

Snow and the Glitter Globe



 Snow and the Glitter Globe

What day is this? I do not know.
I'm sure it is a weekday though.
Still, I will lazily lie here
to watch the briskly falling snow.

Through slatted blinds it looks quite queer,
like my glitter globe sitting near,
with skaters on a frozen lake
dressed quaintly of a bygone year.

Reaching over, I give it a shake.
Now, I'm sure there's no mistake.
Snow flurries swirl like waters sweep
the glittering, shimmering flake.

With snowy blanket, soft and deep,
over the land Winter's hand does creep,
covering nature while she sleeps,
mothering nature while she sleeps.
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"He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. He casts out His hail like morsels. Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them. He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow." Psalm 147:16-18

Winter can be a beautiful time of year, especially when snow blankets everything from the top branches of the trees to the tiniest blades of grass. The world wrapped in snow seems more subdued, peaceful and perfect . . . Until you walk away from the window and step outside into the frozen wonderland. The icy temperatures can be torture! Admittedly, I am not a big fan of winter weather. Yet I know, like all things, this season serves a purpose.

I am a firm believer that we can learn a lot from nature. So, what is it then that we can learn from winter; this beautiful but sometimes brutal season? Winter is the season of stillness, the return of nature to a state of rest and renewal. In our hustle and bustle, crazy, 24/7 world we have a tendency to run until we crash. The next day, we start it all over again. Perhaps what we are to learn is that rest is a requirement, not just a luxury. The Creator set aside a whole day out of the week just for rest - "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8) And yet, that commandment seems to have been forgotten by many. It is just another day to get things done. Return to rest! Your body needs it. Your mind needs it. Your spirit craves it!

Another attribute of Winter is that nature seems to withdraw into itself. Icy winds undress leaves from the trees. The trees then retire for a season; storing food in their roots. The treasured colors of Spring, buried deep beneath the surface, patiently wait for the earth to warm so they can bloom once again. Squirrels snack on stored away nuts inside their sheltered homes. The bear retreats into its den for a long nap, until warmer weather returns (something my mother & I have always wished we could do because we get grumpy as old bears during cold weather).

Just as animals and plants adapt to survive the cold, so we need to learn to do the same. No matter what life throws at us we must learn to adapt and endure. I pray that we will never allow the harsh times in life to turn our hearts as frigid as the winter air. If we take the time to withdraw into ourselves, to rest in the stillness and meditate on God's word; maybe, we too can enter Spring refreshed, renewed and vibrant with Life!
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God of all seasons: Thank you for the beauty of winter - the pure white snow that blankets the earth and, for a while, makes everything look crisp and clean; the stark beauty of dark, naked trees against a dove gray sky; the flash of cardinal red against bright white that always makes me smile; snuggling with ones we love under warm blankets with a hot cup of cocoa . . . Remind me, Lord, that this is a time to slow down and simply enjoy the stillness winter brings. Let me find moments to withdraw within myself and search for ways to be more of the woman You want me to be. Let me meditate on Your Word and dwell in the Peace that lasts throughout all seasons. Help me to remember that no matter how frigid the air may be outside, I am always held in the warmth of your love - for eternity. ~  Amen.