This poem was inspired after a lengthy phone call with my sister, lovingly listening to her stories about her son's teenage antics and the frustrations of trying to understand the "teenage mind". It prompted me to pick up the pen and write this "apology to our parents" from my sister's point of view. My resulting scribble was then tucked away in a drawer as I felt that, without children of my own, perhaps I'd over-stepped my bounds a little. However, after dusting it off and reading it to my husband, he encouraged me to send it on to the family, saying "You don't have to "have" kids to understand them, you only have to have "been one" yourself. I'm pleased to say that I took his advice, and it was warmly received by all. Life truly comes "full circle".

How often do we ask the question "Where do I go from here?" If life is a series of challenges and lessons, then only by reflecting on our past triumphs and mistakes, can we wisely choose the next path that we will ultimately embrace.

The loss of Misty, our beloved German Shepherd of 11 years, inspired this written tribute to her.

Many attempts to write something for her remembrance prior to this particular day, became so heart wrenching that I could not continue because the words I wrote were filled with far too much sorrow and grief. I needed her tribute to be something positive and full of warmth, so that I could remember her always with peace in my heart. And so I waited . . . until this poem was ready for her.

Although I will miss "my little one", I can read this poem with peace within, and imagine she is now chasing butterflies high above the clouds.

In the wake of the enormous tragedies in our schools, the media onslaught and coverage, the never- ending questions, discussions and blame, always the question remains. "Why?"

Try as we might, we cannot turn back the clock and prevent such sorrow that has already taken it's toll on so many. We can however, look into the soul of our society, and summon the courage and strength to question ourselves, our own lives, and the hopes and dreams of our young children.

Change must begin with each one of us.

I think many of us have had that horrible moment of sheer panic when the ringing of a telephone awakens us in the early morning hours from a deep sleep. This is the only time we truly wish for it to be a "wrong number". Unfortunately, this poem was inspired by an all-too-real, life-altering incident.

Though life can sometimes seem like an endless journey of questions without answers, if we truly reach out beyond our inner walls, a lifeline awaits us.

This poem helped me to explore this feeling of hopelessness, and reminded me that in these times, friends and family are truly, only a phone call away.

Many of us feel the need to question life. Sometimes we are fortunate to find the answers we seek, and sometimes we find ourselves just drifting endlessly, searching for the answers that seem to constantly elude us.

When I found that I was constantly "putting our fires" and moving on to the next in a long list of deadlines, it's was only appropriate to admit that I was a procrastinator at heart.

The question then follows, "What task did I delay while I sat to write this little poem?"

At a time when I wanted to shout to the world, "STOP!" ... At a time when life was spinning about me far too quickly at a terrifying rate ... At a time when I needed a little "help" to carry on ... I managed to stop it all long enough ... to ask for a little "help".

On the anniversary of the passing of our beloved 12 year old German Shepherd, the pain of remembrance was brought back in full force. The raw emotions resurfaced at that time, to pen this poem:

In fond remembrance of Misty; Feb. 23, 1988 - May 10, 1999