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Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

0 posted 1999-11-01 10:20 PM

The preacher called for contributions,
...As Christmas was approaching,
We have a family that's in need,
...The poor house is encroaching.

Next Sunday when you come to church,
...Please open up your heart,
Reach within your pockets deep,
...and do your Christian part.

That night we gathered 'round the table,
...Parents and six kids,
We all must make a sacrifice,
...To do as pastor bids.

I know this means we'll have to scrimp,
...For Christmas we'll have less,
Instead of presents for each other,
...Our gifts from God we'll bless.

We all got out our piggy banks,
...And poured them on the floor,
Mom and Dad gave all they had,
...We wished that we had more.

Each one of us did count our gift,
...Forty dollars and a dime,
We knew we'd give some family,
...A glorious Christmas time.

Next Sunday came, we went to church,
...And when came offering time,
Dad placed in the collection plate,
...Forty dollars and a dime.

No happier family did ever live,
...Than us that joyous day,
Thank you for our blessings God,
...At dinner Dad did pray.

Then at the door there came a knock,
...We saw the pastor there,
He handed Dad an envelope,
...Said, because we care.

We gathered 'round as pastor left,
...As envelope was opened,
Fifty dollars and a dime,
...We could not comprehend.

We never knew that we were poor,
...We always had each other,
Possessed two treasures made of gold,
...Our father and our mother.

Next Sunday when we went to church,
...When came collection time,
Dad placed in the collection plate,
...Fifty dollars and a dime.

Someone sent me this story in an e-mail... tried to adapt it into a poem.

Tina TT
Junior Member

since 1999-11-01

Posts 45
Victoria, Australia

1 posted 1999-11-01 10:23 PM

its great! love it!

the rhyme works well

------------------
~What if you slept? What if, in your sleep, you dreamed? And in your dream, you went to heaven and there plucked a strange and beautiful flower? And what if, when you awoke, you had that flower in your hand? Aye, what then?~

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

2 posted 1999-11-01 10:26 PM

And an excellent job you did, Mike! It brought tears to my eyes. I wish my heart were as giving as this! Something else to strive for! Absolutely wonderful, Mike!

------------------
Denise

Ohme
Senior Member

since 1999-07-17

Posts 816
Texas

3 posted 1999-11-01 10:30 PM

Not often do I read something that I get teary eyed about. But, you got me on this one. Lovely!

------------------
I look forward to tomorrow, while looking back on the past. But today is the day I am living. And I expect it to be a great day!

Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

4 posted 1999-11-01 11:26 PM

This one sent shivers down my spine!

Very touching!

Corinne

Watcher666
Senior Member

since 1999-10-13

Posts 1606

5 posted 1999-11-02 01:21 AM

Beautifully Done.

------------------
Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you.

Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

6 posted 1999-11-02 07:40 AM

Thank you all for the comments. They are appreciated.

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

7 posted 1999-11-02 08:11 AM

Mike,
Well done this is a keeper.

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius

since 1999-07-05

Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

8 posted 1999-11-02 09:37 AM

I Love this one, wonderfully written and so touching. Bravo!! Take your bow now

Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

9 posted 1999-11-02 03:44 PM

Thank ya kindly Mr. Tabin and Ms. Hoot...
my wife worked evenings when I was in school so I could babysit... I guess that makes her an old hoot owl rn........... er... delete........ make that ex hoot owl rn....
er... me thinks I am going to be an ex something....

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

10 posted 1999-11-07 11:20 PM

I re-read this and it struck me that the forty dollars and a dime turned into fifty dollars and a dime. I noticed it before but the impact of it just hit me as I read this again. Does that mean that the poorest family put in forty dollars and a dime and the rest of the entire congregation put in ten dollars combined? Wow, that says alot.
Thanks again for this gem, Mike!

------------------
Denise

Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

11 posted 1999-11-07 11:38 PM

you caught it Denise...
thanks for taking the time to re-read,,,
that was the intended thought.

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

12 posted 1999-11-07 11:50 PM

There is such truth in your poem Mike. And a wonderful poem it is! Love and happiness is worth more than any amount of money. There is a lesson here about giving..about our concept of who we are, how others see us.. I also may be poor by many standards, but I count myself rich in friends... I like the way you write -

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

13 posted 1999-11-07 11:53 PM

Thanks for answering so quickly, Mike. This indeed is a powerful piece. It reminds me of when I was in a time of need, myself and my two daughters when they were much younger. My pastor gave me an envelope and found us a temporary place to stay. After I was able to, I returned the money to him with a thank you note to him and the congregation. The note never made it to the church bulletin board. I do believe that he was the only contributor now that I think back on it. Some people are really angels I think! Oh, how I wish for a heart like that! Enough of my ramblings! Thanks again for sharing this!

------------------
Denise

Sally S.
Senior Member

since 1999-06-07

Posts 847
Ohio

14 posted 1999-11-07 11:59 PM

Mike,
What a touching, emotional poem! I actually got those "goosebumps". Inspiring and beautiful. What more can I say?

JOY 14
Senior Member

since 1999-09-22

Posts 1419
Wisconsin USA

15 posted 1999-11-10 03:07 PM

I really, really liked this poem. It makes me think that you should give more instead of keep wanting more. The greatest gift is truly giving anything you have.

Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

16 posted 1999-11-21 05:45 PM

Thank you for the very nice comments...

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

17 posted 1999-11-22 04:24 PM

I'm glad someone asked for this.... I'd missed a gem!!! Great poem, Mike!!

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