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What Will I Give You This Christmas?

I searched my mind and thought real hard of presents that I’d give you.
And nothing spoke directly. Nothing screamed “It’s me! I’ll do!”
I tried the shopping frenzy, read the ads and checked the sales.
And still I came up empty. I knew stores would surely fail.

And so I stopped to wonder why, with retail options plenty,
nothing was the perfect gift for my dear loving family.
Ah! “That was it!” my heart replied. The gift that was to suit you
must be created in the love that every day does fill you.

And then I listed all the ways you’ve shared what’s in your heart:
homemade cards and salsa, photographs were just a start.
And then the royal feast, creations tasty and so vast!
I saw that you had filled each one with love so sure to last …

until we’d meet again — maybe not for months to come.
For each of you is busy being love in your home town.
So back unto the task at hand, to find a way to say,
“Thank you for the love you are today and every day.”

And then I knew my gift must speak directly to your soul.
And I know only one way — it’s the music that I mold
within my heart and soul which asks that you now look inside
and find the hidden splendor that you are this Christmastide.

Yes, you are a treasure. You are love and you are light.
You are the gift of Christmas — I see it as your life.
So please receive the gift you are, so holy and so rare,
the blessing you give others as yourself you freely share.

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Two Streams

Two streams, flowing, yours and mine,
co-mingled with sweet Spirit Divine.
Never again the same we’ll be
for blended we are: you’re part of me.

Though we’ll split, diverge again,
gently lean around the bend,
two streams forever touched are we
by our sacred unity.

2006

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On Marriage And Love

The sacred journey of marriage begins again today
as two people who love deeply come together to say “I do”.
This wedding celebration marks the beginning of a journey of two unique individuals
who wish to experience life together through shared joy, sorrow, new life, death and
who will experience times apart and delight in sharing these with one another.

We see today two people who have discovered a deep fondness for one another,
a caring and concern that goes beyond friendship
to a devotion that each wants to spend a lifetime deepening.

When two people embark on the marital journey,
they desire for one another only the very best that life has to offer.
They willingly commit to support and to celebrate one another
through life’s successes and
through sickness, challenge and despair.

When two people express the deep commitment
to live together in the sacrament of marriage,
they ask Spirit to be the light in their darkness,
the spark of hope in their despair, the candle at their celebrations.
They acknowledge that the source of their strength
is the eternal Love of God that indwells all.

How can we know that the love we share
is sufficient for the journey?

When we see in each other the Divine Spark and
want more than anything to watch it grow,
then we have found a partner to spend our lives with.

When your happiness, fulfillment, and creativity matters to me
because it makes you happy,
then I love deeply.

When your challenges draw me closer,
that you may find in me the strength that you aren’t yet aware of in yourself,
then we love deeply.

When, despite all attempts to agree, we find ourselves with differing beliefs
yet we respect each other’s position and continue to live in harmony,
that is love.

When life has thrown us a curve, and
everything we have and do and believe in is pulled out from underneath us, and
we can hold one another, grateful for the life that we share,
then we know love sufficient for the journey.

by Jeanne Loehnis, 2003

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My Family of Choice

Every person has,
from the moment of their birth,
a family of origin:
a Mom and Dad on Earth.

Some know well the blessed pair,
and sisters, brothers too!
Some are close to relatives;
for them would anything do!

Yet as the years go by we see
our family does grow!
Friends and sacred confidants
as sisters we do know.

Treasured far beyond compare
this family of choice:
those whose strength and love and joy
become for us a voice

reflecting back to us each day
the blessings that we are.
Sacred sisters are the very
mirror of our heart.

Thank you, sacred sister, for you.

By Jeanne Loehnis, 2006

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A Mother’s Love

It hurts to see you travel down dark roads I’ve walked before:
roads so full of pain that I was forced to close the door.
“Choices make the man” and I have learned much from that path.
Oh how I’d hoped to steer you clear and be your guiding hand.

But the time has come and I know well deep in my heart
that I cannot protect you and that we must be apart.
Although your life will take you far from home and lifelong friends,
know my love goes with you and my prayers will never end.

As you journey down the crooked path of life on earth,
treasure, please, a memory for the one who gave you birth.
This memory is the key that will unlock a private door
that you can walk through anytime and know my love once more.

Enter, son, and you will find a fire burning bright.
‘Tis this mother’s love that only your smile can ignite.
The hearth will be there always for there’s nothing can destroy
the bond that Love has nurtured ‘tween a mother and her boy.

By Jeanne Loehnis, 2004