"O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.

Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home. "

~ Isaac Watts

This past month (December 2012) we have had occassion to bury both my mother and my father. Dad passed away two weeks and one day after mom did. As I contemplated what a major change this is going to be in my life, the above words of Isaac Watts came to mind.

(Cross posted to The Billy Goat Blog.)

Among the Evergreens

Stately they rise majestically,
A top the hill along the road.
Towering on high, we see them from afar;
A landmark amidst the rolling fields.
Through the opened gate we drive
Along the attending juniper heralds;
Back into the palace court where
Stately Pine Lords hold council and watch
Over the stones neatly arrayed in rows,
Amongst both shaded grass and sunlit lawn;
As Guardians of the sacred hill,
Where laid beneath the sod,
Are the family and friends we knew.

A peaceful place this sacred court
Where from blue sky with scattered clouds
The sun shines warmly down.
So we wander through that sacred ground,
Noting a loved one there,
Or there a neighbor found,
Or ancient ancestor of a generation
Long before our life began.
Here they lay, reposed serene,
Among the evergreens.

J. William Newcomer, March 2012, Copyright © March 2012, all rights reserved.

Another Little Boy

To my 3 year old Grandson Jorgen William Eggebroten,

Another little boy
Has come into our lives.
To watch him growing up
Gives us real delight.

A bundle of energy
He brings into our day.
With a torrent flood of words
To accompany his play.

He chases his big brother,
Both roaring with delight,
Tumbling and wrestling,
As they pretend to fight.

A delight it really is
To have another little boy.
May he in years ahead
Always bring us joy.

(J. William Newcomer © May 7, 2010. All rights reserved.)

Grandpa’s Little Boy

To my 1 and a half-year-old Grandson Tyrel Albert Eggebroten.

I finally got my little boy
I’d waited for so long.
With curly hair and happy face,
And in his heart a song.

So much he tries to tell us.
So much he has to do.
So lively and so pert
Is the smile he gives to you.

I finally got my little boy,
And thankful I will be.
My heart is filled with joy
For the boy God gave to me.

(J. William Newcomer © February 11, 2003. All rights reserved.)

Grandpa’s little Girl

To my 3-year-old Granddaughter Shauna Rose Eggebroten.

What are you thinking little girl?
In your little mind,
Behind those green-gray eyes,
Seeing the world so differently then I.

What pictures do you see?
And sounds do you hear?
So flooding your mind…
You put up walls, closing doors
To the deluge from outside …

Do you know we love you?
Can you cipher what we say?
Are there things you want to tell us,
But somehow you can’t explain?

We love you little girl.
In our lives you have a part.
Whatever comes your way,
You’re always in our heart.

(J. William Newcomer © February 11, 2003. All rights reserved.)