Kathy's Poetry Journal

8:05:45 PM EDT
Feeling Worried

(May 31st, 2008 my brother Doug was in an accident that totaled his truck)

I heard the phone ringing and I answered right away! Momma was on the line and she began to say: "Doug's been in a wreck, and it sounds real bad"! Then as she began to cry, I couldn't help but feel sad. I'd just awoke from a nap and couldn't grasp what I was hearing! But it was only moments, before my eyes started tearing. Billy Ray had called Momma and she later called me. She was worried about her son, like any mother would be! She told me the story and it didn't sound good! Things were looking very serious, is what we both understood. Doug was traveling through Tharptown, when he suddenly lost control. He went airborne and flipped, is what we were all told. Our brother Randy was there and he stayed by Doug's side. He wasn't allowed in the helicopter; though he asked ~ but was denied! Doug was flown to ECM and Randy stayed behind. He picked up Doug's belongings, gathering the things that he could find. Doug was treated at the hospital that evening when he arrived. And though his truck was totaled, by God's grace he survived! He had a broken arm, and several gashes to his head! And a cut artery in his wrist; but thank God ~ he wasn't dead! 

 

(Photo's above were taken of Doug's truck! I'm very thankful that he survived this accident! From the looks of the truck, he could very easily have been killed!)

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © May 31st, 2008

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1:08:09 PM EDT
Feeling Happy

She's a little angel sent down from above.

A gift from God for her parents to love.

A child to hold and give special care.

A sweet little girl for her parents to share.

She came in December to Maggie and Shane.

A long awaited gift that will forever remain.

They've watched her grow without missing one day!

They've enjoyed every moment of watching her play.

From her mother's womb to this toddling girl;

Her parents have witnessed as she's changed their world.

She's brought them joy it's easy to tell.

This gift from God they call "Sarah Michelle".

Written about my great niece, Sarah Michelle Riddle. Daughter of Maggie and Shane Riddle of Spruce Pine, Alabama. And grand-daughter of Annette and Billy Welborn, also of Spruce Pine.

Other photo's of Sarah Michelle below!

 

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 5-17-08

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12:51:44 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet

My mind is forever wondering

about the things that I don't know.

Such as, what will we have to face

as the future days come and go?

My thoughts are focused around Greg

and how he daily seems to feel.

I wish all this were just a dream

and that none of it were real.

But I know that it's reality

and that we have to keep on fighting!

Though just one day without him suffering;

would for us - be so inviting!

Sometimes my thoughts travel backwards

to all the things that we've endured.

Then when I bounce back to the moment;

God is with us - I'm assured!

We couldn't have faced this alone

because the battle against Cancer is tough!

For seven years now we've been fighting;

and of this battle - we've had enough!

Written about my husband Greg Gandy, and his (our) seven year battle with Metastic Colon Cancer!

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 5-27-08

 

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3:26:18 PM EDT
Feeling Happy

Of my three grandsons Simeon is the oldest.

He loves to talk and I'd say he's the boldest.

He likes watching Spongebob and playing video games.

He likes drawing characters and giving them names.

He poses for pictures never making a fuss.

Then he takes the camera and snaps pictures of us!

He loves drinking soda and sweet iced tea.

When he comes to visit he expects it from me!

He doesn't eat much so he's really slim.

When calling his name sometimes we use Sim!

Most of the time he's found in his room;

Our oldest of three grandsons, named "Simeon Isaiah Broome".

Written about my oldest grandson Simeon Isaiah Broome, born June 22nd, 1999.

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 5-28-08

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10:46:26 AM EDT
Feeling Happy

(Ronnie, Doug, Billy Ray and Momma sitting down)

(Randy and Ronnie in Momma's back yard)

Brothers are not like sisters

but they're special just the same.

I was blessed with four of them

and I've listed them by name.

Billy Ray, Ronnie, Randy and Doug;

are the brothers I'm speaking of.

They're never far from my thoughts;

these four brothers that I love!

God couldn't have given any better

than these brothers that I adore!

I could search the whole world over,

but I'd still choose these four!

Each of them are different

and have been since their youth.

Of "my four brothers" I'm very proud!

I swear these words are truth!

Written about my four brothers, Billy Ray, Ronnie, Randy and Doug Fretwell. All of them live in Russellville, Alabama, except for Ronnie, and he lives in Gulf Port Mississippi.

(Doug in front of his house in photo below)

   Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 5-26-08

 

 

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7:53:10 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet

She's a mother, a grandmother and great grandmother too!

She's invested many years doing the things that mothers do.

She's cooked and she's cleaned and she's put others first.

In her late teens she was even a nurse!

That job she gave up after she became a wife.

But she's been a nurse to many, throughout her married life.

The new job she took on was a much greater task.

I'm sure she'd agree, if she were ever asked!

She continued to rise early and worked hours every day.

Her position was important, though it came with no pay!

She was laying up treasures as each year went by.

Not here in a bank account; but with the Lord on high.

She raised her three children and she sacrificed much.

Now "Ernestine" will be remembered by the lives that she's touched.

Written about my Mother-in-law, "Ernestine Lewey Gandy".

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 3-18-08

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11:32:38 AM EDT
Feeling Sad

Slowly it's stealing him a little more each day.
He's getting thinner and weaker as he keeps wasting away.
My heart is troubled and I'm sick inside.
My eyes are tired from the tears I've cried
I've watched him changing and it's sad to see!
Whenever he is suffering it's very hard on me!
Seven years have passed and he's still pressing on.
But my once strong husband is now skin and bone!
This CANCER won't stop! No! It won't give in!
Though we've sought many doctors, and we've confessed every sin!
We've prayed for healing and we've never given up!
But sometimes in life, we must drink a bitter cup!
We're not the first ~ and we won't be the last!
Many of God's chosen have suffered greatly in the past!
We both have accepted, that soon we could part.
But it doesn't change the fact, that it's breaking my heart!

Written on May 24, 2008, just two days after we found out that my husband (Greg Gandy) now has CANCER in his liver! It`s been an ongoing battle against this terrible disease, since March 2001. It started out in his ascending colon, and it spread to nearby lymph nodes. Then in June 2005, to his pelvic area behind the sigmoid colon. Then in January 2008, to an area in front of his right kidney and his abdominal wall. And on May 22nd, 2008, we got the bad news that it has now spread to his liver! BUT we will keep pressing forward! Just as we have been doing! We`ll keep fighting the fight! Our 31st Wedding Anniversary is coming up on May 27th, 2008. So we have that to look forward too! And I`m very thankful to God that we`ve been given these 31 years together! And ONLY GOD KNOWS if we`ll be blessed with another!

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 5-24-08

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10:11:35 PM EDT
Feeling Hopeful

                    (Built in loving memory of George Scogin)

A few people heard of a plan

of kids helping others with their grief.

~~~~~ Those few said ~~~~~

"With God's help we will have such a place

for local kids to get needed relief".

A house, a house, is what we need

but where should we begin?

"I'll build you a house", said a Scogin man

and the Scogin family all pitched in.

With much commitment and consideration

the plan was carefully laid out.

Then a home was built for hurting children,

where grief and death they can talk about.

This home is a non-profit facility

where on-going support will be provided.

Children 3 to 19 years old

are the ages that have been decided.

For their families we're also concerned

and our desire is to help them heal.

We have experienced volunteers and staff workers,

to counsel, as they share how they feel.

Every child deserves the opportunity

to be supported during their time of grief,

And to have an understanding environment;

We are founded on this belief.

There is no charge for our services

and we have not a thing to sell.

Our goal is to makea difference,

because "Children who grieve well - live well".

With the guidance of God above

all these children we will embrace.

And though the world is full of sorrow,

we offer Hope - at "The Healing Place".

I was asked by Sharon Scogin and Kay Parker, to write this poem about the Healing Place in 2001, after I met them at the Northwest Alabama Cancer Center, where my husband Greg Gandy was receiving treatments for Colon Cancer.

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 10-17-01

Kay parker - above right and in photo below.

     

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9:39:25 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet

Where would I be if you hadn't come to take my place that day?

How can I ever thank you enough for providing me with a way?

Because of you I now have assurance of life in the promise land.

Now one day soon I'm sure to go and there with you I'll stand.

What greater hope could I ever have than to spend eternity with you?

And only heaven can offer the things that I so desire to do.

Thank you Jesus for loving me so that heaven you wanted to share.

How I long to make that journey and forever worship you there!

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said: Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 6-24-03

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12:31:39 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet

The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare.

The voice of the Lord strikes with lightning bolts as his power is manifest there.

The voice of the Lord reveals to us and it calms the raging seas.

The voice of the Lord raises the dead and conquers every feared disease.

The voice of the Lord splits deep waters and calls forth powerful earthquakes.

The voice of the Lord gives people his strength and causes their enemies to shake.

The voice of the Lord speaks with authority and says "Come" to all his creation.

The voice of the Lord makes known the truth as he offers the world Salvation.

The voice of the Lord is urgently pleading and extends and invitation to all.

The voice of the Lord is so rewarding to everyone who answers his call.

The idea for this poem came from Psalm 29

Kathy Fretwell Gandy © 8-19-03

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