Fathers and Firebirds

Daddy

We don’t look alike that’s true.

But they say we act alike, me and you.

 

We both like fast sports cars.

If I see one I like, then I tell you.

If you see one you like, then you tell me.

Sometimes we see one at exactly the same time and get all excited.

And you say, “Let’s go to the car show Saturday night.”

And we go.

And I take lots of pictures of the cars we like.

 

We both like to tease.

If I put ice down your shirt when you’re not looking,

Then you put ice down my shirt when I’m not looking.

And we whisper and plan together to see who’s gonna put ice down mom’s shirt.

And when she screams then we blame each other –

“He did it!” I say.

“She did it!” you say.

And I roll on the floor laughing.

Then you laugh, too.

But not Mama.

 

We both hate the same foods. . .

Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, avocados, green peas.

Mama likes them but she doesn’t make me eat them

Since you won’t eat them either.

Thanks, Dad!

And we both love popcorn and ice cream and sunflower seeds.

 

So, even though you are tall and I am small,

And you are white and I am brown,

We both like to clown around

And drive through town

With the T-tops down;

And that’s not all

The ways in which we are the same . . .

 

Happy Father’s Day!

Written by D.H. Stewart about Jade and her dad. June (c) 2013

See also:

I Choose You!

Steel Towers (Fathers Free to Lead)

Thinking About Whose Child I Am

 

Read Me Like a Book

Last night we overheard one neighbor talking to another neighbor about various people in our apartment community. Then she began obviously describing our family and talking about us. We were blessed and humbled by the kind words she said. I am sure there are times my words and actions do not always convey good messages about me, but it is my desire that most of the time my words and actions point to the One who indwells me.

This morning during my Quiet Time I read through 2 Corinthians chapter 3 in The Message. In the first few verses Paul states: “You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it–not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives–and we publish it. We couldn’t be more sure of ourselves in this–that you, written by Christ himself for God, are our letter of recommendation….Only God can write such a letter….The plan wasn’t written out with ink on paper, with pages and pages of legal footnotes, killing your spirit. It’s written with Spirit on spirit, his life on our lives!”

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Your life is a letter….What is it saying about you?

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See also:

She Never Told Me

Why Jesus?

Faith for the Journey

Happy Memorial Day & Happy Flag Day

Delana’s World wishes you a blessed Memorial Day weekend! Be safe!

And don’t forget to fly the flag on Flag Day June 14!

View:

Freedom Rising

Free to Lead

See also:

May 2013 Holidays and activities

June 2013 Holidays and activities

Long Journeys

“Mom, are we there yet?” If you are a mom of a child of speaking age, you have probably heard this more than you can count. I know about long journeys all too well. I’ve been on really long trans-Atlantic flights. I’ve taken cross-country road trips lasting a couple of weeks. I’ve been on ferryboats and cruise ships. But all those journeys pale in comparison to journeys of the heart. Journeys God takes us on when He gives us a passion, a prayer, and then requires us to wait a long time (to the right time) for its fulfillment.

Often times the journey itself is part of the fulfillment. It requires us to stay in tune with the Father and draw ever nearer to Him.

Are you on a long journey? Tell me about it…

Freedom Rising

From Memorial Day to Flag Day . . .

This morning I woke up way before my alarm with a song (poem) in my head. Yes, that is cool because it hasn’t happened in awhile. Yet, the really cool thing happened when I opened Facebook and someone had posted a photo that fit the song perfectly! So, I went to the photographer’s site and requested permission to use his photo on my blog. He answered right away giving his blessing.

Photo by Gary Gardiner, used with permission. http://www.myfinalphoto.com/

Freedom Rising

This is what it cost

The price that was paid

Over the hills, their lives were gone that day.

The flags line the way of those in the grave.

This is what it cost for us to live free.

The lives we live…

The lives they gave.

Blood, red, coming down.

Tears, blue, falling to the ground.

Light, white, flashed before their eyes.

This is what it costs to be free.

This is what it cost

The price that was paid

Up on the hill, they took His life that day.

Then Love showed the way to the empty grave.

This is what it cost for me to be free.

The life I live

The life He gave.

Blood, red, coming down.

Tears, blue, falling to the ground.

Light, white, flashed before His eyes.

This is what it cost to be free.

Delana H. Stewart © May 2013

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See also:

Steel Towers (Fathers Free to Lead)

Soldiers in the City

Three Days at Sea

Giving It Everything You’ve Got!

This morning I read 1 Corinthians 9 in The Message translation. The following verses inspired me. I hope they inspire you.

^24-25 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

^26-27 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

 

Are you running to win?

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See also:

Soldiers in the City

Steel Towers

Why Jesus?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Three Days at Sea

Soldiers in the City

In honor of the coming Memorial Day, not only remembering those who have fought for my freedom, but also remembering those who have given (and are giving) their lives for the Good News to be taken around the world…

In this city You have many.

You are with us; You don’t desert us.

Our attackers, lay down their weapons.

Those who oppose us, shrink back in Jesus’ name.

To the end, to the end,

You’re always there!

I confess my wrongness.

I surrender my rights.

Lead me through the battle–

Through the days and nights.

Don’t let me lay down.

Don’t let me give up the fight.

In uniform I take my stand–

With belt of truth and sword in hand.

Slicing through the thick and black,

Hacking thorns and dodging bullets.

On my knees, raising my defenses,

Resisting the enemy clenches.

In the end,

In the end,

I stand,

We win!

Delana H Stewart (c) July 2003

Also in honor of Memorial day (and the coming Fathers’ Day) see:

Fathers Free to Lead (Steel Towers)

I Choose You

By: Delana H. Stewart and Jade Stewart ©May 2013

Inspired by the poem “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg, I wrote this poem collaborating with my daughter, told as if she were speaking to me. After reading it together, she hugged me and said the part that is now the last stanza of this poem. My high-school English teacher introduced me to the poem “I Like You,” which is now available as a book.

Happy Mother’s Day to birth mothers and adoptive mothers everywhere! May you be blessed!

I Choose You

I choose you and this is why.

I choose you because every day you choose me.

I choose you because you know how to make me laugh,

And when I laugh, you laugh, and then I laugh some more.

And then you say, “Oops! Your giggle box turned over.”

And then I roll over and can’t stop laughing.

I choose you because you choose me even when I’m sad.

Sometimes when I’m sad I say I don’t love you.

But you know that’s not really true,

And you keep on choosing me,

So I keep on choosing you.

Sometimes I just need to cry and you cry with me.

Sometimes I don’t understand why, I just cry ‘cause a place deep inside me needs to cry.

You just hold me and say it’s okay to cry.

I choose you because you choose me even when I’m mad.

I may say I hate you! You’re not my real mom!

I may say I want to run away.

You say, “Okay, where are we going?” and you go with me.

Then we hold hands and go for a little walk.

And then you say “Daddy must miss us,” so we decide to go home.

I choose you because when I am afraid at night you let me sleep in your room.

When the thunder is really loud, I tap you on the shoulder and say

Mommy snuggle me.

And you skooch over and make a place for me.

And when Daddy is away you let me take Daddy’s place in bed,

And we snuggle together all night long.

I choose you because when I need to talk about my tummy mommy that’s okay with you.

I tell you how I feel.

And you say you would feel that way, too.

I tell you I wish she were here and you say

“I wish I were your tummy mommy.”

And we talk about our wishes.

And we pray for my tummy mommy.

And then my heart feels better.

I choose you and this is why.

I choose you because you first chose me.

And I will keep on choosing you,

And you will keep on choosing me.

And we will keep on choosing each other forever because

That’s what we do.

I choose you because I like you so much,

And you like me so much,

And I like you so much . . .

And on and on and on.

You are my mommy that’s why I choose you.

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If you like this poem, you might be interested in a devotional book of stories and poems by Delana called Three Days at Sea.

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See also:

Tummy Mommy –I wish I was your tummy mommy and carried you inside of me. Then you wouldn’t … October 31, 2011

Heart Tears While I was yet . . . kicking and screaming, You cared for me. While I was yet . . . hurt and hurting, You held me. While I was yet . . . . . . running away, You sought me.  [...]  February 14, 2012 |

When a Daughter Understands A Mother’s Day poem about the day when a daughter finally begins to understand the journey her mother experienced

Fathers and Firebirds

See review of My Paper Pregnancy Journal on the website Infant Adoption Guide.

Adoptive Mothers are Real Mothers, Too!

–Delana H. Stewart

Many well-meaning people ask adoptive mothers if the child who does not resemble them is their “real” child. From time-to-time an adopted child will even say to his/her mother, “You’re not my REAL Mother!” By real both mean biological. With Mother’s Day weekend approaching, my daughter and I chose fun books from the library on mothers. I chose to review one of them–the one about adoptive mothers.

You’re Not My REAL Mother! by Molly Friedrich and illustrated by Christy Hale made us laugh. The little girl as illustrated in the story (easily based on the author’s own children from Guatemala) could also easily be from the Philippines, Thailand, or other South American or Asian countries. My daughter and I related well to the characters.

The mother and daughter go through many things in the course of a day/week from swimming and playing to brushing teeth and putting on bandages (the latter being something my daughter definitely could relate to–a love of putting on bandages). Throughout the story the mother says, “And does a real mother…” to which the answer is met with either a “yes” or an addition to the story line.

You’re Not My REAL Mother! is a great book anytime of the year, but it is an especially wonderful book for a child and adoptive mother to share on Mother’s Day.

After reading the story, my daughter grabbed the bowl of freshly-made popcorn and turned to me and said: “A real mother makes her daughter popcorn for an after-school snack!” …then kissed me on the cheek.

Happy Mother’s Day! And don’t forget to celebrate birthmother’s, too! Please leave a comment and share your favorite Mother’s Day books.

See also:

Who is This Person I Call Mom?

What a Mama Does

What is a Paper Pregnancy?

My Paper Pregnancy Journal

4 Tips to Prepare Emotionally to Parent an Adopted Child

Tummy Mommy –I wish I was your tummy mommy and carried you inside of me. Then you wouldn’t … October 31, 2011

Heart Tears While I was yet . . . kicking and screaming, You cared for me. While I was yet . . . hurt and hurting, You held me. While I was yet . . . . . . running away, You sought me.  [...]  February 14, 2012 |

A Birth-mother Lets Go  “She came to that moment when she had to do the hardest thing she would ever be called upon to do. She had to let him go.“ … Continue reading →

Mother’s Day for an Adoptive Mother  A Time to Dance, a time to cry…

Another Friend’s Baby Shower (Is it Okay to be Angry?)

What to Expect the First Year After Adopting

Year for Year (a book review of Keys to Parenting an Adopted Child)

And on a fellow blogger’s blog, see:

Mother’s Day for broken, barren or grieving moms who have lost a child

See review of My Paper Pregnancy Journal on the website Infant Adoption Guide.

A Portrait of Mothers

This is a picture of my great-grandmother holding my granny when she was a little girl. With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I thought I would post this photo with a poem.

Are you a mom in waiting? See:

Waiting Expectantly

See also:

Stories and Poems for a Mother’s Heart

Thanking an Educator

Reblogged from Three Days at Sea:

September 24, 2012

Dear Ms. Flanagan,

Yesterday, as our church honored educators, we watched a video about a neurosurgeon who contacted his middle school science teacher thanking him for encouraging him and telling him that he had what it took to be a brain surgeon. The video clip moved me, and instantly made me think of you.

In 10th grade English in San Antonio, TX, you not only motivated me through your comments in class, but you took notice of poems and stories I had written and encouraged me to put them to use immediately to bless classmates going through difficult times.

Read more… 156 more words

Happy National Teacher's Day! Be sure to thank an educator today... See also this poem honoring teachers: http://theeducationcafe.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/honoring-teachers/

Stories and Poems for a Mother’s Heart

by: Delana H. Stewart

I wonder which came first: Mother’s Day in May or the game “Mother, May I”?

Here are some selections you might enjoy as a mom or to share with your mom.

A Mother’s Love –a poem

One day I shared Jesus’ love with my child And he shared it with a friend. His friend touched another Who touched[...]  May 6, 2011 |

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If you like this poem, you might be interested in a devotional book of stories and poems by Delana called Three Days at Sea.

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Honoring Mom–a poem to honor mom

Mama Mom, I will always love you. I cherish every moment that we’ve shared. Mom, You are loving, loyal, true. Your constant devotion keeps me  [...]  May 5, 2011 |

Who is This Person I Call Mom?

By Delana H. Stewart “Who is this person I call Mom and why doesn’t she look like me?”  [...] May 1, 2013 |

What a Mama Does

In several countries today is Mother’s Day. In the U.S., mother’s day isn’t until May. But any day is a great day to celebrate our mothers!   [...] March 21, 2013 |

Stages to Becoming as Wise as Mom

As I reflect on the journey of life, there are many stages a girl goes through in gaining the wisdom of her mother.  [...]    May 9, 2011 |

When a Daughter Understands

A Mother’s Day poem about the day when a daughter finally begins to understand the journey her mother experienced.

Tummy Mommy

I wish I was your tummy mommy and carried you inside of me. Then you wouldn’t have that empty space that time just cannot erase, nor … October 31, 2011

Heart Tears

While I was yet . . . kicking and screaming, You cared for me. While I was yet . . . hurt and hurting, You held me. While I was yet . . . unforgiving, You forgave me. While I was yet . . . running away, You sought me. While I was yet . [...]  February 14, 2012 |

A Birth-mother Lets Go –Delana H. Stewart “She came to that moment when she had to do the hardest thing she would ever be called upon to do. She had to let him go.“ … Continue reading →

Mother’s Day for an Adoptive MotherA Time to Dance, a time to cry…

Waiting Expectantly (Don’t give up!)

Adoptive Mothers are Real Mothers, Too!

Who is This Person I Call Mom?

By Delana H. Stewart

“Who is this person I call Mom and why doesn’t she look like me?” Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote last Mother’s Day about why Mother’s Day can be a difficult season for the adoptee (and her family). You can read the full article by clicking here.

Our little princess breathes new meaning of Mother’s Day into our lives. Mother’s Day often arrives packed with emotion. On this special day each year, I must recognize my daughter has a need I can never fill.

When I think about Mother’s Day and being a mom, I think about the joy and sacrifices of parenting all my children, however they came into my life. When my daughter thinks about Mother’s Day, questions like these may come to her heart and mind consciously or sub-consciously:

• Who is this person I call mom and why doesn’t she look like me?
• Where is my birthmother? Is she still alive?
• Why did my birthmother leave me?
• I don’t want my adopted mother today, can’t I see my birthmother?
• Why did I have to be adopted? Maybe my birthmother would have come back for me.
• I want to grieve today, why does everyone expect me to be happy and celebrate?
• I wish I knew what my birthmother looks (looked) like. (Or, I am starting to forget what she looks like).

If your child experiences difficulty on Mother’s Day, seek to understand the bigger picture of what might be the cause behind a very emotional day. For more, see: Mother’s Day for an Adoptive Mother: A Time to Dance, a Time to Cry.

See also:

Another Friend’s Baby Shower (Is it Okay to be Angry?)

An Adoption Bundle

What to Expect the First Year After Adopting

What a Mama Does (or, When a Daughter Understands)  (A Mother’s Day poem)

 

Struck Down But Not Destroyed

Reblogged from Especially Made:

• 

I am not new to spiritual depression. It is something I have struggled with in the past, especially after having children and learning about Gabriel's special needs. But I realize I'm not alone in this. Reading through the psalms, some of the psalmists seemed to have a fair share of despair. I've also heard that great preachers, like Charles Spurgeon, was not immune to the touch of spiritual depression.

Read more… 604 more words

I hope you will click on the above post by fellow blogger at Especially Made. I know that many of us can relate to at one time or another experiencing spiritual depression or even oppression. And, even if you wouldn't say that...you would at least likely agree that you have experienced being overwhelmed by life's circumstances at some point in your life. Yes, by His grace and His strength...we press on... Blessings, Delana ******************* See also: Really?? Never??

Wordless Wednesday

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See also: An Adoption Bundle