Believe in Miracles

Beyond Words
Sometimes saying nothing at all is best,
Holding your tongue is the ultimate test,
Keeping it to yourself when you want to scream,
Knowing it is real when it feels like a dream,
Not a dream, a nightmare, very surreal,
When you don’t have words to say how you really feel,
If you just keep quiet and listen politely,
Two ears and one mouth, you are twice as likely,
To gain a perspective that you’ve never had before,
Like closing a window, but opening a door,
Life has its challenges and heartaches and tears,
It has its surprises and disappointments and fears,
When life deals you a hand that you don’t want to play,
Then you take life and live it day by day,
It is beyond words, as they are stuck in your throat,
It is now you will see if you sink or you float,
You grab hold of a hope and you don’t let it go,
You believe in miracles and look for the rainbow,
You grow stronger and wiser, your faith is sufficient,
God’s will be done, He is omniscient!


Tammy Harvey

Written: 11/4/2017

Naptime

Since my husband's illness, he has needed to nap more and rest during the day.  My children have always accused me of being a narcoleptic because I fall asleep so fast!

A Few Zzz’s

Nodding, nodding, dozing, nap,

I feel so sleepy, let me recap,

My eyes are heavy, won’t stay open,

A short power nap is what I’m hopin’,

Nodding, nodding, dozing, nap,

My hands are resting in my lap,

My head is titled to the side,

I won’t’ fight; I’ll swallow my pride,

A few zzz’s never hurt anyone,

A short siesta sounds like fun,

Nodding, nodding, dozing, sleep,

The sandman is a persistent creep,

A little rest, then awake again,

Refreshed anew, is that a sin?

A power nap is all I needed,

The naptime limit was not exceeded.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  10/29/2017

THANK YOU

With the announcement I just made in a previous post, I am following up with a poem I wrote to thank everyone who is praying and caring for us at this time.

You are Much Appreciated

Thank you, Thank you, to all of you,
We were in need, and you helped us through,
We had worries and you offered prayers,
It lifted our spirits to know each one cares,
We had food delivered to us in abundance,
We were showered with blessings without reluctance,
We are so appreciative for your support,
We were so shocked when we got the report,
We extend our gratitude for your loving kindness,
We feel overwhelmingly uplifted in our crisis,
We have the support of our faith, family and friends,
We will be much stronger when this nightmare ends,
We have hope, and mostly, we have God’s grace,
We can face what we must face,
God is with us, and He has perfect timing,
His will be done, now I’ll stop rhyming!
Tammy Harvey 

 Written: 10/02/2017

An Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude for the multitude we have!

Hectic Holidays
Commercialism really ruins the mood,
When it should be about family, friends and food,
Gathering together for a big feast on Thanksgiving Day,
Is all about taking a break and just enjoying the stay,
It should be a time of leisure and reflection,
Not a hassle or stressful day of gift collection,
It has been overshadowed by early bird Black Friday sales,
Countdowns to Christmas and abundant ads in the mail,
Joyfully prepare a nice meal for the family to devour,
Turkey & stuffing… they’ll be asleep in an hour,
Then sit back and relax, talk and share time and laughter,
Time is a gift that you will cherish long after,
The hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving soon turns into Christmas,
Christmas is a birthday celebration, most people miss this,
The meaning of the holidays gets pushed right out of the way,
Because the focus is on buying, wrapping, baking and Santa in his sleigh,
Don’t get me wrong, the sentiment is nice,
We can buy each other gifts, but take my advice,
Don’t let the stress of getting it done,
Overtake the delight and celebration of the Holy One.

Tammy Harvey
Written: 11/11/2017
Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Yes, we can!

This poem was written exactly one month after my husband was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. He currently has had a successful brain surgery to remove the tumor and now is having chemotherapy and radiation. Prayers appreciated.

We Can Do All Things
Is this really happening, or is this a bad dream?
Could it be we have become part of a mind-blowing scheme?
It is hard to digest, everything now is new,
The information is mounting, the options are few,
The treatment is hopeful, a trial like none other,
It will be hard, but we will be there for one another,
We won’t give up, we never will,
But we don’t like seeing our loved one ill,
A positive attitude will get us quite far,
We won’t be wishing on a falling star,
We will be relying on our faith which is upliftingly strong,
With God’s help the battle we wage won’t be wrong,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”,
This is our mantra, this is our plea,
Day by day, and step by step,
We can do all things with God’s help!

Tammy Harvey
Written: 10/24/2017

My Happy Place

The Forest

Branches and twigs,

Persimmons and figs,

Pinecones and sweetgum balls,

Bright green ivy climbs earthen walls,

Moss grows on the dampened ground,

Forest sounds are all around,

Leaves crunch beneath my feet,

I stop and make a rock my seat,

On a hike through the thick and silent pines,

The tree trunks are covered in clinging vines,

The needles blanket the forest floor,

The smell is something I adore,

The earth smells fresh, the air is clear,

Warms my soul with nature so near,

The delicate fern is growing alongside,

The hollowed logs where chipmunks hide,

I could sit and pass the hours away,

But I must go, I cannot stay,

I will remember this place in my mind’s eye,

And when I do, I will take a cleansing sigh,

For nothing compares to an outdoor space,

When I want to go to my happy place!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  10/28/2017

A trip to "Mars"

My husband and I found the Red Rock Canyon on our trip to Las Vegas in September of 2015.  It was such a pleasant surprise!

Red Rock Canyon

Leave the bright lights and gambling excitement of LasVegas strip,

Take a ride, not far out of the city, it’ll be worth the trip,

To the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area,

It looks like you’ve landed on Mars, so don’t let it scare ya,

In the desert of Nevada, scenic Red rock formations,

At 3000 feet tall, one of God’s finest creations,

Majestic, awe-inspiring, it will take your breath away,

Forget the blackjack in Vegas, it’s here you will stay,

With the sun beating down, in the dry desert heat,

 And stunning red layered rocks beneath your feet,

And white clouds dotting the rich blue sky,

You will gaze into the distance and ask yourself why,

Why didn’t I come here before, who knew?

Las Vegas has a well-hidden secret known to few?

The lights and action in Vegas are entertaining, that’s right,

But a trip to the likes of Mars is an amazing sight!!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  10/29/2017

The Lady is a Sunflower

This poem compares the attributes of a sunflower to that of a lady. They share beauty, strength, maturity and a sense of self confidence.


The Lady
A bonnet of bright yellow petals frames her round face,
The face of an African lady, full of grace,
Like a broom handle, standing tall and slender,
With sleeves of green broad leaves, delicate and tender,
Always facing toward the sun, she is without chagrin,
She doesn’t break but gently bends against the subtle wind,
The lady is a sunflower, vibrant and strong,
Planted in the field, growing all season long,
Ready for the harvest, mature and beautiful,
Sunflower lady’s gift of giving is undisputable,
She lifts her head up to the sky,
Her self-confidence is soaring high,
She has within her majestic power,
She is the ordinary, yet mighty Sunflower!

Tammy Harvey
Written: 10/15/2017

We Rise Above

It is not too often that I am moved to respond to current events.  I do have, however, a real love of history and its significance in shaping the future.  I felt inclined to express my opinion on the destruction of historical monuments/statues that has recently become a topic of protest.

Historical Significance

History by definition is the study of the past,

Without history, how could our memories last?

Good or bad, evil or not,

Our history sometimes is all we’ve got,

To learn from past mistakes and then to grow,

To let our younger generations know,

That what we did or did not do,

Can be repeated if we don’t start anew,

Don’t take away the statues that depict our pain,

We don’t celebrate the faults, but recognize the gain,

The past can’t be changed, but the future can be transformed,

It is what it is, it has shaped this country, so be forewarned,

There is no “safe zone” to which we should retreat,

We must be proud to recognize our history, in victory and defeat,

All is not perfect and intolerance is intolerable,

The world is one and not one is deplorable,

Acceptance and remembrance make for a bright future,

We can stitch up old wounds with a finely placed suture,

Regrets, yes true, but again we rise above,

When we treat our flag with respect and our country with love.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/30/2017

Try them, try them

This poem is for all the children that dared to try green eggs and ham at preschool with me!

Green Eggs & Ham

Have you ever ventured into storyland?

And grasp an idea, hatched a plan?

Tried something new without hesitation?

Something you thought was pure imagination?

Well, I have, with preschoolers I once taught,

We read Dr. Seuss and then we thought…,

Do WE like green eggs and ham?

Or are we much like Sam I am?

Try them, try them, yes, we must,

Try green eggs & ham or bust!

I scrambled eggs and cut up ham,

Added the green color, just like Sam’s,

I offered up the opportunity of the day,

Try them, try them and you may,

Like green eggs and ham, I say,

While many preschoolers ate with trust,

Others only looked away in pure disgust,

They would not even try a single bite,

They were not happy with the sight,

Green food is not usually a popular choice,

For 4-year olds, when given a voice,

How about you? Yes or No?  Maybe so?

If you try them, then you will know!

You might really like green eggs and ham,

You may just be like Sam I am!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/20/2017