New Beginnings

Here’s to new beginnings
As you close the door on the past
Here’s to new beginnings
This day has come at last.

As you close one door remember
Another door opens for you
This door is open for new life
It’s a door you’ll want to go through.

You’ll make new friends & drop a few
As your interests begin to change
And the clouds will no longer follow
As the sunshine replaces the rains.

Now take a breath and take a step
Your new life has recently begun
Your past has made you stronger today
As you walk with a smile towards the sun.

Sandi Eucks ©2/28/06

In facilitating workshops for teens, I put this poem together to give these young adults something to think about. This poem is sometimes used as the opening of the teen workshops, and sometimes used as the closing.

LIFE

I will look at my life
And accept what I must
I will change what I can
As I live with trust.

I will be less judgmental
Of myself and others,
Including my friends,
My sisters & brothers.

I will follow the rules
And not always cry,
Or pout or sulk
Or stomp & ask, ‘why?’

I’ll be an adult
In just a few years.
And I’m sure like others,
I’ll cry many tears.

It’s all part of growing,
And learning the way
Of becoming an adult
Who can love and play.

By Sandi Eucks, ©8/13/03

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I often see people who spend so much of their life in anger and pain. They seldom realize they have a choice to let go of the things that have caused them pain in their past. They let the future come and go while holding the past close to their heart, not allowing the heart to mend and feel joy.

Commit to the Future!

You can’t commit to the future,

If you’re living in the past.

You can’t commit to the future

As long as your bitterness lasts.

There’s a secret that age

and wisdom can bring

It’s to focus on whatever

Makes your soul sing.

So bury it, burn it,

Let the past go away!

Learn from the lessons!

And seize the day!

When you share the lessons

You learned in strife,

You reach out and touch

Another ones life.

Sandi Eucks, © 8/03

My daughter had a co-worker who was concerned about her friends who feared that the birth of their 2nd child would cause everyone to forget their 1st born who they had lost. They were uncertain what role the new baby would play regarding their first son’s room, clothes, etc. My poem was written to help them accept this new baby as the brother of the big brother who was watching over the new family addition.

Our Special Angel

There’s a very special Angel
He was chosen by God with love.
This Angel named Drew is watching
From the Heavens up above.

And though you cannot see him
He’s with you every day.
He’s so excited there will soon be
A brother who will laugh & play.

This brother can have his room
He can even wear Drew’s clothes
And Drew will smile from up above;
He’ll watch as his brother grows.

Drew’s brother will be the greatest
Gift from the Heavens above.
Maximus Matthew will be his name
He too, is God’s gift of love.

Sandi Estridge Eucks © 5/1/06

I still remember, I had been feeling somewhat depressed, and was having difficulty bouncing back.  While trying to understand what was going on, the words of the poem below were in my heart and on my mind.

EMPTY NO MORE

An empty feeling is tough to bare
When you have it, it goes with you everywhere
You can talk & smile as if all is fine
But you feel all alone, out on a line.

You know in your heart it’s all in your mind
You can’t shake the feeling – the strength you can’t find
You go through the motions expected of you
No one must know that you’re feeling so blue.

You’re sure that this feeling will be gone soon
Your smile will be real; there’ll be no more gloom
For now stand tall, and get a good grip
And remember to keep that stiff upper lip.

Why not start now, and turn around
Get back your attitude from the lost and found
There’s so much to live for, go out there today
Decide what you want, and do it your way!

Sandi Estridge Eucks © 5/6/98

The words in this poem express the value of  true friendship.  I am blessed, in addition to having a wonderfully supportive family, I have many special friends that I wouldn’t trade, any more  than I’d trade my children.  Those who do not understand what it means to have and to be a friend are really missing out on something of real value in life.

Friendship

Friendship is
A beautiful thing
It’s the flowers that grow
It’s the birds that sing.

Some friends come
And some friends go
But a special friendship
Will continue to grow.

When you’re with your friends
You can laugh or cry
And you won’t be judged
By a critical eye.

You can tell those dark secrets
You wish weren’t true
And your friends will still
Be there for you.

Friends may be many
Friends may be few
How many you have
Is up to you.

Yes, friendship is
A beautiful thing
When you’re with your friends
Your heart will sing.

Sandi Estridge Eucks ©3/20/98

When a co-worker needed some poems for a special Thanksgiving Service to be held in her church, I wrote 3 poems for the program.  This is just one of the poems.

Thanks for Life

When You gave me life
My body was bare
You gave me food
And clothes to wear.

I’ve a place to live
And a nice warm bed
Where I pray at night
As I lay my head.

Thank you for
My family and friends
Who will be with me
‘Til my life here ends.

Thank you God
For giving me
So much love
And security.

You’ve been with me
Through tick and thin
Thank you, God
With You I win.

Sandi Eucks  ©2/27/02

When my best friend was dying of lung cancer, we were completely open and honest about our sadness and fears.  We had mourned often, so that when her time to ‘cross over’ was near, it was more easily accepted.  She had suffered so, in the late stages of her cancer.  This poem was written for my friend, Trish, and read to her in her last 2 weeks of life, as we know of life.

Whatever Will Be, Will Be

“Whatever will be, will be”
Is said in a song
But it’s so hard to accept
When things feel so wrong.

I know you are hurting
You’re in so much pain
You’re thought of and prayed for
Again and again.

Just know that some day
The pain will be gone
And loving memories
Of you will live on.

We’ll be sad and miss you
You know this is true
But some day we’ll all
Be right there with you.

Please try hard to smile
As you think of ‘Beyond’
Where sadness and pain
All will be gone.

These words are for you Trish
A friend whom I love
Your friendship I’ll miss
As you watch from above.

Sandi Eucks  © 2/4/98

When asked to write a poem to be engraved on the Monument for the Gold Star Mothers (a Mother who lost a child in the military) of Clermont County, I became even more aware of how thankful I am not to have lost a child – one of the most difficult things a parent must ever have to experience.  The Monument which was unveiled the day before Mothers Day, 2010, has a shortened version of the poem below.  These words are written, from my heart.

The Gold Star Mother

The Gold Star Mother is a mother who
Once had a star, the star was blue
Until the day a knock at the door
Changed her world forevermore.

She’ll never forget that painful day
A piece of her heart was torn away
She’ll always remember the sacrifice
Yes, her child has paid the ultimate price.

She remembers the day she heard her child say
“I want to serve my country” some day
Now pictures and medals are reminders to all
Of her Fallen Hero who answered the call.

If her child could say just one more thing
I’m sure it would be, “Mom, let your heart sing.
I served my country, and I served with pride
I’m now here with God, and we’re by your side.”

Sandi Estridge Eucks © 3/12/10

While flying home from a business trip in Houston, TX, I found myself thinking
about many friends & family members, and how special they were to me.  It dawned
on me that I had been so busy that I had lost touch with so many friends and family
members. In fact, they had no idea that I ever thought of, or cared about them. It
is easy to get busy and lose touch with those people we love.  The poem below was
written as a result of the thoughts in, and from my heart.

My Glove

I have some thoughts I’d like to share
With those I know & love
You warm my heart; You enrich my life
I’m the hand; You are my glove.

I’d like to ask you, Friend of mine
And family member too
Can you remember when it was
That I last talked with you?

It seems like it was yesterday
But I know that can’t be right
‘Cause I was very far away
And not at home that night.

I can’t believe how time does fly
A month seems like a day
And soon another year is gone
So much I didn’t say.

And as the time goes passing by
I find my thoughts engrossed
With many things that pull me
From those I love the most.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining
I enjoy the things I do
But cold the hand without a glove
I am missing you.

Sandi Eucks © 1/22/98