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Kathy Gandy http://kathygandy.purpledream.com

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Outer Beauty 12/06/03 I don't have a perfect body and I don't have a beautiful smile. The only time my legs were pretty was when I was just a child. I don't have a tiny nose nor a face that catches the eye. I've never won in a beauty contest nor have I ever cared to try! I'm not a very smart person and I'm not even known by many. Talent is something I'm very short of; if I can say that I have any? I'm not a very attractive person; Outer Beauty is far from me. So I'll have to settle for inner beauty and hope that others will see.

A Christmas Gift 01/02/04 What a joy it's been this year to give many gifts of love. But that desire didn't come from me it came from Heaven above. When I feel compassion or the urge to give it doesn't come from my own desire. It comes from the Spirit living in me and He's from a place much higher. Every good gift comes from above and I know this to be true. God proved this many years ago when He gave Christ for me and you. So every time my heart is stirred to give a Christmas Gift to someone; I can thank God for this desire because it all started with His Son.

Love, The Greatest Gift 01/12/04 Though I may speak in other tongues and the future I may see. If the gift of LOVE I do not have, what good would all this be? If I had the gift of faith and every mountain I could move; But never had LOVE for my fellowman then what would this faith prove? If I gave everything I have away to the poor who do without, But I never showed LOVE for anyone what would I have to boast about? The gift of LOVE is patient The gift of LOVE is kind The gift of LOVE is never proud and this gift I seek to find! The gift of LOVE holds no grudge and it keeps no record of wrong. The gift of LOVE never loses faith and it's sure to make us strong. The gift of LOVE will last forever and like the others it won't disappear. The gift of LOVE will never cease it's a gift that's always here! So desire the gift of LOVE and let it be your highest goal. For LOVE ~ is the greatest gift, and it endures like faith and hope!

Memories 01/25/04 This life is full of things gone by Yet in my heart the memories lie. I still see daddy everywhere that I look These memories are like a picture I've took. I can see my Brothers and Sisters too As we entered the house after a long day at school. I can smell the aroma of Momma's home cooked meals Sometimes it doesn't seem like memories, it all seems real. During the days there was laughter all around But at night it was quiet with hardly a sound. I remember the morning when I first woke up I'd see Momma and Daddy sipping coffee from a cup. I can still see Pete, I'll never forget that day With his back to me as he walked away. He had joined the navy and soon would leave He never knew in my heart how I did grieve. I remember Linda and her love for Gary And the day he asked Daddy if they could be married. I remember the wedding and how Daddy cried But Linda was happy and made a beautiful bride. I remember Billy Ray, the oldest of four sons And I remember his interest in cars and guns. I'll never forget when in the bedroom he cried As he grieved for Daddy after he had died. When I think of Randy who was younger than me I remember his face just as cute as could be. As I think back I remember a day, with hose over our heads we ran and played. I remember Doug with his curly dark hair With only a diaper as he sits in a chair. As he grew older I remember this too; A white shirt and checked pants that he wore to school. Of Annette I have many memories Playing cowboys and climbing trees. I can see her hair all curly and blonde When the perm Momma gave her was over and done. I remember Ma and all she did for me And all the nights we spent together watching T.V. I remember her face and her warm smile And the love she gave me as a child. I have a memory of a man called Pa A cane, dark shades, but that's not all! I remember he'd hold me on his knee And tell me stories about a bird in a tree. I remember Daddy and the way he walked The sound of his voice and the way he talked. When he sat on the bed as he was crying When he told me and Linda that he knew he dying. I remember Momma and how she loved Daddy so! And how at the funeral she said I can't let him go! The memories are many and forever will be Until I reach Heaven, and again my daddy I'll see! Written in 1995 - This poem is written about my Momma, my Daddy, and all seven of us kids. - Pete refers to my brother, Ronnie Lincoln Fretwell, who is Commander in the US Navy. Momma's name is Vonscelle and daddy's name is Billy. The there is Billy Ray, Linda, Ronnie, Kathy, Randy, Doug, and Annette. Ma's name was Elsie, and Pa's name was Abraham Lincoln Fretwell.

The Only Life Sign 03/25/04 She lies there motionless as though she were dead. She never blinks an eye nor even moves her head. Her legs never bend and her arms never raise. Her mouth hasn't spoken in eight or nine days. Her fingers don't grasp and her toes remain still. She doesn't cry in pain, it seems she can't feel. The only life sign is the sound of her snore. Even the Parkinson's Disease tremor doesn't move her any more. This was written about Maverine Arnold, age 78. I was caregiver to her for about 7 weeks while in her last stages of Parkinson's Disease. Born February 17th, 1925 passed away February 6th, 2004.

Maverine 04/24/04 I only met Maverine a few months ago but I've seen her suffer through so much! I've seen her alert and when she's not, and when she's stood while using a crutch. I've watched her feed herself with shaky hands and I've watched her being fed through her nose. I witnessed the pain that she went through when they inserted the tube-like hose! I've watched her take therapy while being aided and I've watched her while she fixed her own face. I've saw her with life in all of her limbs, but it seems now they're frozen in place! I've saw the smile on her painted lips and I've seen the shimmer in her blue eyes. I've watched the tears run down her cheeks as I've listened to her feeble cries. I've watched this child of God growing weak, but I have realized from the very start; That God's Holy Spirit is there with her and He is the strength of her heart! Dedicated to Maverine Arnold, born February 17th, 1925, died February 6th, 2004, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

The Time Did Spin 06/23/04 Today I sit here wondering where will my journey end? I've been here now for 45 years and on tomorrow I can't depend. I started out in fifty-nine when time seemed to travel much slower. But everything today is hurry-hurry! And now we've entered 2004. Back then it seemed more peaceful; but maybe I was wrong! Maybe I was just too young to realize all that went on. Maybe things were just as hectic to my parents way back then. Or maybe I just could not see how quickly the time did spin!

Life In Mayberry 07/28/06 The simple life in Mayberry is one I'd like to live. Just to stroll those hometown streets; Oh - what I would give! The people there were friendly and the town was quiet and small. Couples like Barney and Thelma Lou were known by one and all. Aunt Bee cooked meals for other folks, it was something she liked to do. She'd take fried chicken for Andy's lunch and share with Barney and Otis too. Helen Crump was Mayberry's teacher and she was nice and kind, and sweet. She always took some time to talk when she'd meet Opie on the street. What about Floyd, Gomer and Goober; where else could you meet these three? Such peaceful lives they all lived there with Andy, Opie and Aunt Bee. Yes, the simple life in Mayberry is one I'd like to live. Just to stroll those hometown streets; oh - what I would give!

The Seasons Are Changing 10/18/07 Swaying branches Rustling leaves The seasons are changing as the weather deceives. Cooler nights Breezier days The seasons are changing in round about ways. Afternoon rain Morning dew The seasons are changing under skies of blue. September's gone October's here. The seasons are changing as scheduled this year.

I'm Worn And I'm Old 05/28/08 No rest for my back No rest for my bones. The song from my lips has been replaced by my groans. Working seven days a week doing the same old routine. But not one single dime for this work have I see! I've been working non stop and it's taken its toll. My body is showing signs that I'm worn and I'm old. I'll never be the same; I can't turn back the clock. When I look at myself, I feel strange waves of shock! I ache when I walk I ache when I sit. I'm carrying around extra weight; I don't look healthy and fit. How nice it would be to have a little break. I'm worn and I'm old; and not much more can I take! When I say I'm working seven days a week with no pay, I'm referring to my life at my home. My husband has been battling Colon Cancer for seven years now. Just this January he was told that the Cancer has spread again. There is a growth four cm in size in front of his right kidney. he finished more radiation just a few weeks ago, and is now waiting on a scan to see if the treatments helped. And also I'm raising my now three year old grandson. I've had him since he was about three weeks old. So that's why I'm so worn out.