My daughter, Kayhla, and her husband had their first baby on May 31st.
Here are some pictures of her first four months in this world.
How can she be four months old already.?
Author: roberthansen1317
Follower of God, Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, father of four daughters, husband, runner, writer (when God tells me to write)
Where Have I Been?
I wish I knew. I was going to take a few weeks off, I write less in the summer anyway, and next thing you it’s been over four months.
I always seem to get more creative this time of year so hopefully I will be posting some new stories as well as reposting some of my favorites from this time of year.
I also have some exciting news in that my daughter, Kayhla, and her husband had their first baby, Scarlett, on May 31st.
I will be posting some pictures soon. I can not believe she’s already four months old.
I’ll be posting more soon.
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Shelly Swims Sideways
It was a new day under the sea, a day just like every other day. However, this was no ordinary day. For today was the day Shelly was born.
Shelly was like every other fish. Shelly could blow bubbles and Shelly could smile. Shelly could talk and Shelly could laugh. Shelly had a laugh that could make you smile from gill to gill. Shelly could get mad and Shelly could get sad. Shelly loved to read and Shelly loved to play with the other fish. Shelly loved to go to school.
But Shelly wasn’t like every other fish. Shelly was born without a right fin.
Shelly couldn’t swim like the other fish could swim. When the other fish played hide and seek, Shelly couldn’t hide in the same places they did. Shelly couldn’t swim straight into hiding places. When the other fish had races, Shelly couldn’t swim as fast as the other fish.
Shelly could only swim sideways.
Some of the other fish accepted Shelly for who she was, who God made her to be, but most fish made fun of her. They swam circles around Shelly. They made fun of “one fin” Shelly. They asked her why she wasn’t like them. They told her of all the things she couldn’t do.
Shelly’s feelings were often hurt, but Shelly knew she was not who they said she was. She knew she was beautiful and strong. When they told Shelly of all the things she couldn’t do, Shelly thought of all the things she could do.
Shelly learned to be creative. Shelly learned to improvise. Shelly learned to turn her weaknesses into strengths. Shelly taught her friends how to use only one fin to swim. Shelly’s friends learned to swim sideways.
Shelly was in school one day when a giant, hungry shark saw them. The shark swam straight at the school, mouth wide open, ready to eat. The fish that could swim straight could not avoid being the shark’s dinner, except the shark didn’t count on Shelly’s quick, creative thinking.
Shelly told her friends to all swim sideways as fast as they could. The shark saw them break away from the other fish and became so distracted he swam right into the side of a large rock.
When all the other fish saw what Shelly and her friends did, they were amazed that they would risk their lives to save theirs, especially when they were so mean to Shelly. That is when they realized that Shelly’s disability was actually a gift.
It was a new day under the sea, a day just like every other day. However, this was no ordinary day.
Today was the day Shelly was accepted for who she is. Today was the day Shelly wasn’t different. Today was the day Shelly was just like every other fish.
Psalm 139:13-18 NIV
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The Butterfly Who Forgot How To Fly
She is a butterfly, born in the usual way that butterflies are born. As butterflies do, she flew from the moment she left her cocoon.
She could fly everywhere. And she did. She loved to fly. She loved to float in the wind. She never wondered how she could fly, until she landed on a Buddleia bush and saw her reflection in a window.
Curious, she looked at herself and flapped her wings. She watched them go up and down several times. She then started wondering how do my wings work? She then tried to get one wing to flap while the other stayed still. When that didn’t work, she tried the other side, with the same result. She then tried turning to the side to see how they worked.
She sat on the Buddleia bush all day wondering how her wings worked. She sat there so long, she forgot they worked at all.
After some more time passed, another butterfly landed beside her and asked what she was doing. She said, I saw my reflection and was wondering how my wings worked, and I’ve sat here so long trying to figure out how they work, I have forgotten how they work at all. What if I am stuck in this place forever? What if I can never fly again?
No worries, my friend, said the other butterfly. You have lost your way and have questioned how you fly. Maybe now you are also thinking since I can not fly, will my life ever be the same.
I am, she said. I loved my life and I loved to fly but now it seems I have messed it all up.
I have news for you, said her new friend. You can still fly. You can still have a life you love. It appears that you desperately want that so I will tell you how.
Please do, pleaded the butterfly.
First, know that you are loved. You are created to fly. You are unique and beautiful and you are not your mistakes or your questions.
Secondly, let go of all the doubts you have about if you can fly. Let it all go. You know you can fly. You were made to fly. You can fly, I believe in you.
It was then that the butterfly’s wings started to move. Ever so slightly at first but in no time at all , she was flying again.
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Goodbye
When the leaves are falling
And the steps of death are calling
Remember me like the beauty in the changing colors of leaves
Remember where I’ll be because of what I believe
When the cold winter winds blow
Think of the spring when things start to grow
When you see the branches bare
Remember that a part of me is always there
In the heat of summer when the days seem to last forever
When you see the beauty in a sunset remember my love leaves you never
When the snow is on the ground
And life can’t be found
Remember me in the new colors of spring
In the red, gold, yellow leaves fall brings
This season of mourning will pass
Just like the years have gone fast
The nights I slept little to feed you in the middle of the night
The nights you couldn’t sleep because of fright
The nights I stayed up late
Waiting until you came home from a date
The days you said you hated me
The days we agreed to disagree
The times I should’ve listened instead of yelled
The times I let you go when I should of held
All of them made us who we are
All moments shared under the same stars
My love for you has no bounds
But it doesn’t compare to God’s love found
When you need someone to hold your hand
Think of me and that’s where I am
When you need someone to wipe a tear
Know that I am always near
When you see the beauty of this world
You will always be my little girl
This is goodbye but it’s not the end
When the leaves fall remember when
When the cold wind blows
That’s just me pulling you close
When you feel the suns rays warming your bones
That’ll be me calling you from home
You Will Be Remembered by Alter Bridge –
When I’m Gone by Joey & Rory –
You All Loved Him Once by Conor Oberst –
I Have This Hope by Tenth Avenue North –
Help From Heaven by Matt Redman –
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Crash On Lovers’ Lane
I tried something fun to be creative instead of writing what pops in my head. Sometimes, nothing pops in my head.
So, I wrote this for those of you who ever wonder what happened to Tommy and Gina from Bon Jovi’s Livin On A Prayer. Or maybe I am the only one that has ever wondered.
It’s not perfect, but I bet some of you will sing parts of it like the real song. If you need a refresher, I have the video posted on the bottom.
Once upon a time, not so long ago
Tommy lost his job on the docks
Gina’s diner closed down
Down on their luck, it’s tough, so tough
Started over in a small town
Tommy started playing at the local bar
Getting by with the little they had
Gina didn’t think love would be this hard
Trying to recall when she wasn’t so sad
You can’t live on a prayer, takes so much more
When you’re breaking plates, slamming doors
We still talk about the crash on lovers’ lane
Where three crosses remember their names
Tommy knew they didn’t have much, didn’t have much
They lived in sin, couldn’t afford a wedding band
Tommy thought they’d always have love, always have love
Gina grew distant, Tommy didn’t understand
Tommy started drinking, Gina got bored
Rumors started spreading ’round our town
Gina forgot love wasn’t just a word
We remember the night Tommy found out
You can’t live on a prayer, takes so much more
When you’re breaking plates, slamming doors
We still talk about the crash on lovers’ lane
Where three crosses remember their names
Gina was giving herself away
Tommy was halfway there, halfway there
He saw red when he got to lovers’ lane
He never hit the brakes when he said
When he said
You can’t live on a prayer, takes so much more
When you’re breaking plates, slamming doors
We still talk about the crash on lovers’ lane
Where three crosses remember their names
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When The Darkness Came
When the darkness came, I let it come
I didn’t hide and I sure as heck didn’t run
It just kept coming and coming
I know I should have done something
I watched it as it got closer and closer
I let it engulf me, I let it take over
Each passing minute I was losing light
But I was tired, too tired to fight
Have you been there? When nothing is left
When the darkness is no longer a guest
But a full-time occupant, permanent resident
The time is coming, the end is imminent
I wish I could’ve fought, I really did
I wish I would’ve ran, would’ve hid
The darkness came for me, it was hunting
My strength was gone so I did nothing
There’s only me, only me to blame
For I let it come when the darkness came
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
My Arms by Ledger-
Far From Home by Sam Tinnez-
Everyone Cries by Echosmith-
Stronger by Fearless Soul –
Follow You by Rasmus Hagan-
Follow Me by In Flames-
Even Here by JJ Heller-
Everybody’s Going Through Something by Chris Janson-
Everybody Cries Sometimes by Damien Dawn-
Fighting For by Lyra Blue-
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Me and Jeremy
Jeremy’s locker was next to mine
I never bothered to take the time
Me and Jeremy were not close
We never even really spoke
I was captain of the football team
He always wore black shirts with black jeans
He was a loner but never alone
God and the devil were in the same home
I had questions but here’s my confession
Didn’t know he suffered from depression
But he made one hell of an impression
When he read that Bible out loud
Then one night the demons won the fight
When Jeremy committed suicide
Not even God could bring back his life
That morning when his body was found
Lots of things I thought I knew
Turned out to be very few
Words I wish I would’ve said
Forever stuck in my head
Next to me is an empty space
I’ve even spent time at his grave
So many words I didn’t say
I wonder if he knows he changed my life
I learned about God, still learning to pray
Maybe Jeremy would be alive today
If I took a few seconds to say hey
I wouldn’t have a lifetime asking why
Never Be The Same by Shimmer Johnson –
Hallelujah Even Here by Lydia Laird –
You’re Answers Behind The Storm by Matt Lefait –
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Maybe Today
There was a time
When I would hit my knees and pray
Thanking God you were mine
But that was before He took you away
I was upset, no, I was angry
Eyes sewn shut
No light could get in
I never thought to look up
Running in circles
Can’t catch my breath
Don’t want to live
I would prefer death
I am out of tears
I scream and shout
I don’t want to grab the hand
That is reaching out
It never occurred to me
That I was on the wrong side
Until through a single crack
Appeared a slither of light
A feeling I can’t explain
A weight lifted off my chest
I could suddenly breathe again
A time to heal, a time to rest
All the hurt and pain diminished
Understanding the tears I cried
Then a voice, I understand your pain
For my own son died
Spinning by Disciple-
Pull The Plug by I Prevail-
On My Way by Hayden Panettiere-
Keep Your Eyes on Me by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill –
The Wound Is Where The Light Gets In by Jason Gray –
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The Pebble
He was rolling down the mountain faster than he had ever gone. He could not believe how fast he was going. He tried to slow down, but he couldn’t figure out how. Once a pebble gets rolling, there is only one thing to stop him. He saw them in the distance but they were getting closer and closer the faster he went. There was no way to avoid the big, bad boulders so he just closed his eyes and
“Hey pebble, what do you think you are doing??!!” shouted the boulders. “Can’t you see how close to the edge we are? We have been balancing on this ledge for a very long time. We don’t need a little pebble like you messing our situation up.”
The pebble shook with fear. He had never seen boulders that big before. “I-I-I’m ssssorry. I didn’t mean to hit you but I was going so fast I couldn’t stop. Thank you for stopping me though. Do you think I could stay here?”
The boulders answered with a stern “NO!! We don’t need you here. You are not one of us and would mess our lives up with all your little talk.”
The pebble didn’t like their answer but went on his way. He tried to take it slower but with each downward slope and each breath of wind that blew he didn’t have much choice. He was so small he went wherever the wind blew him. Most days he didn’t mind, every day was an adventure. He never knew where he would end up. Other days, he just wanted to stop and fit in somewhere. He wanted someone to like him, for him to be a part of something bigger than himself.
A big gust of wind started to blow and off the pebble went again. He was going so fast he would hit the ground then bounce up in the air. He felt like he was flying. “This must be how the birds feel,” he thought to himself.
Oh crap, more boulders ahead, the pebble screamed inside. “Look out boulders, I am coming right at you. I can’t stop!!!” yelled the pebble.
Once again the pebble was met with disdain. “Get out of here pebble. We are way too powerful for you. Do you NOT realize that we can squash you if we wanted to. You are too tiny to live here. Be on your way before we change our minds and decide to hurt you.”
The pebble didn’t waste any time scurrying from that place. He thought, What is wrong with all these boulders? Don’t they realize I don’t mean to smash into them. I’m just trying to find my way. Like I could ever hurt them anyway.
It was then he heard a small voice in the wind.” Go pebble go. Go where the wind takes you. You are more powerful than you know. Everything that is and has happened to you is for a reason. I didn’t mean you any harm when you crashed into those boulders. I was using you to try to change their hearts. To learn to be more accepting. To love something other than their own pile of boulders. It is not too late for them for you have planted a seed everywhere I have sent you. The choice is theirs. You tried. Keep trying and going forward. Do not be afraid.”
The pebble looked around but did not see anyone. Strange, he thought. At that time another gust of wind picked him up and took him on his way.
Not again, seriously, the pebble thought unbelieving. Why can’t I crash into a pile of grass or a stream of water. Why another pile of boulders? He braced himself for impact.
This time the boulders didn’t yell at him. “Help us,” said the boulders. “We are about to fall off the edge.”
“How can I help you? I am just a small pebble,” the pebble asked. He was thinking this had to be some kind of trick.
“We are about to fall off the edge and we have been asking for someone like you. See this small hole in between us? We need you to jump in there and seal it so we can be strong. With you securing that hole, we don’t have to worry about falling off the ledge.”
Wow, thought the pebble. They really need me. “You can count on me,” he bravely said. “I have been wanting a place to settle down. A place that will accept me for who I am.”
He then jumped right into the hole and secured the boulders together.
“Thank you,” he humbly said, to the boulders and to that small voice he heard.
It was then they heard this rumbling coming down the mountain. All these boulders were falling all around them but , miraculously, none of the falling boulders hit them. The pebble recognized them as the same boulders who yelled at him and told him they didn’t want him.
“Thank you,” said the boulders he was with now. ” Without you, we would’ve had the same fate as those boulders. You saved us pebble.”
Free To Be Me by Francesca Battistelli –
Who I Am by Blanca –
True To Yourself by Vanessa Amorisi –
Dare You To Move by Switchfoot –
Hurricane by Misterwives –
Let Me Be Myself by 3 Doors Down –
Invisible by Hunter Hayes –
Try by Colbie Caillat –
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper –
My God, My Music, My Life 