Romancing The Rock Collection
Rhonda S. Galizia
I Found A Rose
The day was long and trying
I was suffering from the anguish
And if I didn’t see You soon,
How I knew that I would languish!
I decided to take a walk
To ease the tension from my brow
I left the city, and climbed the mountain;
Things seemed much better now.
Green and fertile fields surrounded me
And nestled quietly in their midst,
I found myself a single rose;
One that blessed me, as if …Your kiss.
Into a gurgling mountain stream
I gingerly dipped my feet
I found myself another rose;
You sustained my very heartbeat!
Strengthened, I journeyed on
A single path, filled, with posh quietness
And still, I found another rose;
Your truth.. is my own righteousness!
I suddenly lost my footing
In a patch where briers grew
And yet, I found a precious rose
In the faithfulness, of You!
I gathered the sun-ripe berries
To eat among the birds
While there, I found another rose
You are the Living Word!
The ruby juice ran down my lips
Till a crimson stain was showing
But the rose I found this time,
Was that my cup was.. overflowing!
I returned to the well-trodden path
The Way, unto which, I am bound
Here’s where I found the loveliest rose
For here, is where Jesus was found!
I breathed in the Unusual fragrance
While carrying my beautiful bouquet
And the very next rose that I found there,
I still have pressed, to my heart, to this day!
For You were already there to meet me
To lead me back, as always before
And that’s when, blushing, I asked the Rose of Sharon
To be mine…forevermore!
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away..” Psalm 6:2
© 2006 Rhonda S. Galizia Scribe Unto the LORD
International Copyright All Rights Reserved By Law.
MOONGOLD ~O~ ROMANCE SERIES:
XI. Valentine Kisses
I thought I heard the mailman
And I ran straight out the door
But the only thing I found there
Was "EMPTY" ... like before.
My heart drooped inside me
I drew a great big sigh'''
LORD, if I don't get a Valentine
I think that I shall die!
I sat down on the porch swing
So I'd be first to see
If, and when, the mailman came
He'd brought something for me!
The hours ticked by slowly
My whole Saturday was lost
Sacrificing plans I’d made
Seemed such a tiny cost...
Considering the possibility
That a card might come from you;
I'd sit and sing, all day on the swing
If that's what I had to do!
The February air was icy cold
And I snuggled inside my coat
Stuck my hands into my pockets
And there, found the note you wrote!
Be watching your mailbox for a surprise..
My heart raced rapidly at the thought
That something was coming from you
But how you had managed to pull it off
When I was someone you barely knew -
That was most amazing to me..
I guessed that you were a mind-reader
Though my parents said from the start
That I was always their little one
“On whose sleeve, she wears her heart!”
I felt my cheeks start burning
As I closed my eyes to recall
The last time I had seen you -
At the High School Sweetheart Ball.
You were a freshman in college
Who walked in with some pretty girl
I was still a Junior, evolving...
And about to spin out of my world!
The music had finished playing
The couples were leaving the floor
My date had gone to get us punch
And some of the petit-fours.
Then our eyes met across the gym
As I was removing my gloves:
Cupid shot forth his flaming arrows
And I was smitten with love!
I don't know how long I stood there
Only that the world stood still
This was my very first love
And I cherished every thrill.
Suddenly, my date returned
Bearing Dixie Cups of red
But when he went to offer it to me,
He accidentally spilt it on me, instead!
Oooh! I gave out a startled gasp
As huge tears began to fall
The snow-white gown my Mother had made
Would be cherry-stained, leaving the Ball!
My date apologized profusely
As a crowd began to surround us
Hurling the usual shrieks and barbs
And that is how you found us..
So handsome in your raven tux
So dashing in your stance
You boldly interrupted him
And swept me off, to dance!
My heart was just about to burst
Still, I hesitated for oh-so-long
Looking down at my dress, such a mess!
That it was halfway through the song..
Before you could actually lead me out
From the raucous, deafening crowd
You steered us straight to the center stage
And there, you gently bowed.
Quickly taking up your cue
I curtseyed as best I could
You swept me into a breathless waltz
And I quietly understood..
That you had come to rescue me:
A genuine knight in shining armor!
I started thanking God inside my head
Exclaiming, what a charmer!
The crowd had swiftly quieted down
As we glided around the floor
Strands of Fur d' Elise eclipsed them,
The stains on my gown, and more.
With nary a remembrance
Of the boy I'd just left behind
My heart was set - on loving you:
I knew now, how love is blind!
The arrival of the mailman
Brought me out of my reverie
Oh please, please, please, I pleaded
Is there something in there for me?
The mailman's eyebrows rose and fell
As he whisked a white pouch from his sack
I squealed with joy, that he didn't toy
With my emotions, all in a wrack!
He laughed and left me there fumbling
With the package on the swing
I ripped open the pouch and cast it aside
Not caring about anything..
Except the white and velvet box
Precious, in my trembling hands
I shut my eyes and lifted the lid:
A watch, with a heart-chain band!
For several moments, I could think of nothing else
My thoughts seemed paralyzed
Save the recent memory of dancing with you
And the love-look in your eyes.
I held my breath and turned it over...
On the back of the heart-shaped face
Engraved in such delicate calligraphy
Was carved the phrase "Valentine Kisses
were created for you and me."
MOONGOLD ~O~ ROMANCE SERIES
© 2009 Rhonda S. Galizia aka Moongold
International Copyright All Rights Reserved By Law.
WHERE DID THE LOVE GO?
A Short Story
1
The table was exquisitely laid. Glitter hearts and floating balloons and beautiful banners all echoed the same theme: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LIVING VALENTINE!
Avilon stepped back to examine her efforts, and as a final blessing, she laid a fresh, single, long-stemmed crimson rose
across the place setting of her Birthday Girl. May she live forever, LORD!”
The love she felt for this child was unfathomable, and it was revealed in every detail. From the Birthday Seat, adorned with a huge, red, crushed- velvet bow with dangling streamers, to the tiny cinnamon hearts poured into the fine crystal, heart-shaped dish.
Avilon let out a deep sigh.. she was praying in spirit. She asked the LORD to bring her daughter safely “home” for her celebration, since she had to travel over an hour to get there, and she was so very busy. After all, Jack and Lalinda had
6 children now!
Lalinda.. Oh my Lalinda. Avilon’s heart caught. She would be 36 this year, and a miracle it was. As tears filled her eyes, Avilon recalled how many trials and tribulations they had been through together, to get this far.
They had journeyed through abuse and rape, automobile accidents, suicide of a loved one, cancer, and a massive stroke.. And only by the grace of Almighty GOD, were they both still alive and intact.
Avilon groaned now, feeling her sixty years. As she straightened her back and shifted her position to alleviate the pressure on her spine, she tried to imagine the look on Lalinda’s face when she came through the door! That child had been the most difficult birth, and hardest to raise, of the five. But Lalinda was to live, praise GOD - and to this day, her large, beautiful, dark blue eyes, disarming smile, and wonderful laughter always prevailed!
A Valentine’s Day Baby.. Avilon had immediately nicknamed her My Living Valentine, and celebrated her as such every year.
She glanced at the clock now.. Almost time to take out the fudge brownies! The tempting aroma was filling the whole house.. The stove timer sounded and Avilon grabbed her ruby mitts. What a welcome this will be! she laughed, pressing the heart-shaped tiara that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY into the center of the brownies, so it would set as they cooled. Perfect! she cooed, then grabbed her camera to make it timeless.
Avilon sat down in the oak rocker to wait for Lalinda’s arrival. She wanted to be there the moment she saw her and Jack pull in! Every moment she spent with Lalinda was special.. life was always enhanced by her very presence.
As the first hour rolled by, Avilon thought about the precious hours she had specifically set aside each day, for several weeks, to work on the homemade banners, until they glistened with valentine hearts embellished with elegant lace.
Sometimes, the task seemed impossible. She was very forgetful and could only use her hands for so long. They were awkward now, and did not always take proper instruction from her brain. Scars from the massive stroke.. but Avilon
never dwelt on the restrictions or what she couldn’t do. Rather, she rejoiced in what she could do, and continued to
give Jesus the glory for what she had been given.. And one of those treasures, was Lalinda.
As the second and third hour passed, Avilon kept vigil at the window. Her heart began to sink. Surely.. Surely, she will come, LORD? She gently took up the single rose, wrapped the stem in a wet paper towel, covered it in foil, and set it into a vase.
At the fourth hour, Avilon was uneasy. She called Malinda’s cell phone, but received no answer. She left a brief message, letting Lalinda know she was eagerly awaiting her Living Valentine.
2
Avilon prayed in the Spirit as she began to prepare Lalinda’s favorite dinner. Since she had not shown up for brunch or
lunch, she must be coming for dinner! The barbecued pork chops and baked beans filled the air with yet another amazing aroma. Avilon’s stomach growled. She looked down with disdain, then realized she had not eaten at all today.
Must be a fast the LORD has called me to, she decided. Use it for Your purposes, LORD, amen! Avilon returned to
the chore of preparing dinner for four. Lalinda’s father would be home from work soon.. How disappointed he would be,
not to see his daughter sitting at the table with Jack.
Avilon sighed again.. from deep within. She was beginning to be seriously concerned. She prayed anew for the safety and well-being of Lalinda and Jack and all the children.. With that many to care for, it could be anything.
She winced. She missed her grandchildren. They were stones in her crown, as the Bible said, and she believed it. To Avilon, each one was a radiant gem the LORD had blessed her with. Today, she had hoped to see the baby upon Jack and Lalinda’s arrival. Just at the thought of missing out on that, Avilon’s arms went limp, and ached with the emptiness.
3
“I’m home!“
Avilon jerked awake.. Huh? A type of panic overtook her. How long was I asleep? What’s that burning smell?
What’s going on!?
She stumbled out of the rocker, and ran to the oven. The chops were starting to dry! She rapidly added water to the
sauce. The pan bubbled and sizzled in response, but she thought they would survive and be fine to the taste. Whew! Thank You, LORD, for Your kindness to me!
"Avilon, I’m home! Where are you?”
Uh-oh, it was Glen! He sounded worried. “I’m in the kitchen, Glen,” Avilon responded, tossing the mitts, and making her way to him.
Glen gave her a big hug and a kiss. He was always thankful to see her at the end of each day - and to find her safe
and sound. God knows, he had come too close to losing her with that stroke..
“Something sure smells good, Avvie“, he smiled warmly. “But where is everybody? It’s too quiet in here!”
Tears reappeared in Avilon’s eyes. “She didn’t come yet, Glen.. My Living Valentine didn’t come yet..”
“Aww Avvie, don’t cry. She’ll show up!” He gave Avvie a squeeze. But Glen wasn’t all that sure himself. He knew
what his Lalinda was like.. Stubborn, just like him!
They walked down the hall and into the kitchen together.
“WOW, Av! This looks great! And so do you.. “ Glen said, turning Avvie around with pride, “You are as beautiful as the party you’ve prepared.” Avilon dissolved into tears on his shoulder.
They tried calling their daughter again. No answer. “That one will cut off her own nose, just to spite her face, Avvie!
.. I’m sorry she inherited my stubbornness..” Glen looked at the floor, pricked again by episodes of his own foolish
pride, and what it had cost him in the end.
Just then Avilon’s stomach roared, and they both laughed out loud! Yes, LORD, I hear You..
4
Glen and Avvie shared a wonderful meal.. with a single crimson rose as the table’s centerpiece. They sang Happy Birthday To You, to an absent Living Valentine, and blew out the candles on the fudge brownies. They held hands and made a wish.. That Lalinda would become so Christ-like, she would learn to put the desires of others, before herself, and love them as much as she loved herself.
Glen started popping the balloons, and Avvie took down the banners, planning to carefully place them in a huge mailing envelope.
When it was all said and done, they both knew that Lalinda was still angry over something one of her siblings had said
months ago that she didn’t like - nor would she admit that it true! Avilon had interceded by request, trying to get Lalinda
to see it from the LORD’s point of view, but it had fallen on deaf ears.
Lalinda had stubbornly decided that she had done nothing wrong, and that she would just stop talking to her sibling,
at all!
As Avilon photographed one last picture of the torn-down party, she spoke through tears, May she live forever, LORD!
That was Avvie’s way of praying for her Salvation and eternal life with Christ.
As huge tears dropped onto her apron, Avvie gave in to the sorrow, and sank to a chair.
“Heavenly Father,” she prayed, “please forgive her. You lovingly created her a Living Valentine..
But where did the love go..?"
Do you NEED AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT?
Do you NEED A CHANGE OF HEART?
© 2010 Rhonda S. Galizia, Scribe Unto The LORD
International Copyright All Rights Reserved By Law.
