David’s Poetry

When the Storm Winds Blow

One morning I was reflecting on a friend who’s experiencing a storm in their life. It has been a while since I wrote a poem so I took pen in hand and jotted down these notes.

Jesus is the Reason

One year I saw this two foot tall candy cane and decided to buy it to display on our front door. Later in the day I heard our door bell. Upon opening the door I saw our neighbor lady standing there.

“You’ve displayed your candy cane upside down,” she said.

“Not really. I meant to display it as a J on purpose,” I responded. When she asked me why, I said, “Because I wanted to get people’s attention and remind them that the Jsymbolizes the reason for the season which is Jesus.”

Plant a Tree Today

In the fall of 2014 I surprised my family with a tree planting project on the campus of Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp. We call it our family’s legacy tree. It’s placed near the walking path entrance to the chapel. I told my granddaughter to always take a picture by our family’s tree anytime she’s on the campus and to plan to plant a tree with her family some day.

You Are Special

I lived on my grandma Minnie’s farm with my family until I was in second grade. Grandma was a very hard working woman, a great cook and a tender heart and nurturing way about her. There are some things that leave an impact on our lives from the youngest age.

One thing I remember my grandma doing was to set me on her lap and bounce me while she whispered the words, “You are special” in my ear. Grandma Minnie validated me at a very young age. Grandma died in 1982. It was the first death I had experienced…

One Piece in a Puzzle

Back in 1980 I was serving as a volunteer at my church where I provided a Sunday morning children’s message every other week. I did that for 15 years.

One of my messages focused on the importance of each of them as a child of God and that He had a special purpose for them.

In the Midst of Trouble

In the year 2000 I found myself in the hospital with an extremely painful kidney stone. After numerous tests it was determined that I needed surgery to remove the little (big) jagged-edged bugger. Although I would be put out, the thought of it all threw me into a panic and fear-filled state of mind. I began to pray for peace.

I asked the nurse for a pen and paper and (as I often do) I began writing down my thoughts and within a few minutes I had written another poem.

Leap of Faith

On August 12, 1998, my 14-year-old son Marcus was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. It changed our family’s life on a dime.

After 48 straight weeks of chemo, 14 hospitalizations, over 300 home administered injections and 30 radiation treatments, Marcus and our entire family were worn to a frazzle. While it took a toll on all of us (especially Marcus), we were blessed by the support of an amazing medical team, extended family, friends and prayers of thousands of people.

I’ve Been There

On August 12, 1998, my 14-year-old son Marcus was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. It changed our family’s life on a dime.

After 48 straight weeks of chemo, 14 hospitalizations, over 300 home administered injections and 30 radiation treatments, Marcus and our entire family were worn to a frazzle. While it took a toll on all of us (especially Marcus), we were blessed by the support of an amazing medical team, extended family, friends and prayers of thousands of people.

Button in a Box

I used to work at a private college overseeing fundraising and alumni relations. Each February I would plan a trip to a small Danish village north of Santa Barbara called Solvang where a lot of the college’s alumni resided.

One of those alumni was a delightful 90+ year old lady named Nanna. She loved to read and sew and I remember fondly our conversations. We became good friends over the years.