Last night I couldn't go to sleep
In my mind I took a walk down memory lane
Alone the path were friends and love ones that I hadn't seen in years
Some were alive and some were no longer living
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Opal Jean was there
We met in the first grade and were great friends from then on
Her face was the shape of a heart
Ringlets of blond hair framed her cherub face
We double dated in high school - learned to dance the bop
Went to sock hops together
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our most secret thoughts was shared on long walks
She was so glad to see me
she was full of the wonderful news of what heaven was like
Breast cancer took her away long-long ago
I know where she is now---she no longer has that pain
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then I visited with Lloyd, a Cajun boy from Louisiana
He was my first love
His eyes were dark brown - I almost drowned in them
Do we ever forget our first love ---- such bittersweet memories
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alone the path was Mr. Walker, my English teacher
One day he told us about prisoners of war camps
in World War11 and in North Korea
The great price our soldiers paid for us to be free
He inspired great patriotism in us
He also taught us the love of literature and poetry
He is no longer among the living
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So many of my childhood and school friends are no longer living
Time is so short here on this earth
I closed my eyes and wiped away the tears
I ask God to keep my love ones safe and to protect them
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I awoke this morning memories of my walk down memory lane
was fresh in my mind
Did it happen or was it a dream
I am not sure
One thing I know is that it was great to see my friends again
Sara Teasdale has always been one of my very favorite poets
I discovered her when I was in the eight grade taught by Mr. Walker
I love the simplicity of her use of words
* Our teacher and sponsor of the speech club is now famous for his pottery making.
He is internationally recognized and an award winning pottery businessman.
His work is in museums and galleries around the world.
I still go by and see him and talk of yesteryear.
A dear and wonderful man and friend.
Kathy Collier
*My dear friend and teacher pass on to his rewards in Heaven in September 2015.
He and his wife (the love of his life) shared many years together.
She was an excellent artist and known around the world too for her talent.
He is missed. When I go to his shop again it will heartbreaking.
He was a true Southern gentleman.
A man of highest character.
PTL - God is so good to allow us to be His children and
to be with Him in Glory.
Kathy Collier - September 2015