As Mother's Day (5/12) quickly approaches I cant help but think back to Sunday, May 12, 2013, when I had to call 911 for my Mom. She came down with a case of food poisoning the Wednesday before Mother's Day which kicked pneumonia into high gear and rejection of her lung. For 5 long weeks she was in the hospital before God called her home on June 19th with my Dad by her side. I know my Mom would want me to stay strong and keep looking forward. During times like this I do think back on the memory of my Mom and remember Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 A Time for Everything 3 There is a time for everything,     and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2     a time to be born and a time to die,     a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3     a time to kill and a time to heal,     a time to tear down and a time to build, 4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,     a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,     a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6     a time to search and a time to give up,     a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7     a time to tear and a time to mend,     a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8     a time to love and a time to hate,     a time for war and a time for peace I know there is a time and season for everything. One day I will be back with my Mom. She is health, whole, pain free and with all the loved ones who have gone before us. Helping God prepare a place for not only Me, but all of us.

**Posting on behalf of Tribe Member Pam Hill** The silence is deafening, yet a mother’s cry audible “I haven’t heard, I need to hear” – her despair palatable Cruel request for patience necessary Hope, the common thread about to unravel We know her, we feel her pain – It is our own Her face distorted as her heart breaks From knowing and disbelief The text read by a confused heart Clearly a soulmate calling out “Mommy I love you” And there it ends Scream Now… it’s okay. We will hear you. We will hold you and heal you. We are not afraid. A massive train cuts a path through our home Its lonesome whistle echoing Lake water amplifying the violence Riders aware of our suffering Innocence and pixie dust the attraction Headed to the happiest place on Earth Recently declared a war zone Mother’s plea following Pray God no, no no, not on that list GOD NO! Scream Now! … its okay We will help you! We will catch you and care for you! We are not afraid. Doubt once again settles on a young city Harsh reality in a community famous for fantasyland Workers sharing the sweetness of life Opening their happy hearts to weary travelers Now must accept care in return As they, we, I am weary The city lights darkened by hate yet fueled by love Hushed by doubt, “not the city beautiful” There is numbness in the air The orange blossoms overshadowed Eclipsed by the scent of anguish …. Love breaks the silence Love stops the violence Love penetrates the numbness Love is the way!! Scream Now… its okay! We will care for you and love you!! We are not afraid. for Orlando with love pam hill

AUTHOR PENNY WHITE Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so. Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today. Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better. Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others. Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement. Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love. Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future. Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles. Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath . . . pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures. Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be. Beginning today. And every day.