Look at a CANDY CANE, what do you see? Stripes that are RED like the BLOOD shed for me! WHITE for my Savior, Who's sinless and pure! "J" is for JESUS, My Lord that's for sure! Turn it around And a staff you will see --- Jesus, my SHEPHERD It's just a little Christmas treat, but also (did you know?) It represents our Savior born so long ago. The shape is like a "J" to symbolize His name. The white is for His life, Holy, without blame. And the stripe of red is for His blood so pure and freely given that we might spend eternity with our Lord in heaven. ANOTHER VERSION: A significant symbol of Christmas Is the Simple Candy Cane. It's shape is the crook of the Shepherd One of the first who came. The lively peppermint flavor is The regal gift of spice. The White is Jesus' purity. The Red is sacrifice. The narrow stripes are friendship. And the nearness of his love. Eternal, Sweet Compassion A gift from God above. The Candy Cane reminds us all of how much God cared. And like His Christmas gift to use It's meant to be broken and shared.

So many poets; there are a number of male poets who wrote of death. Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Carlos Williams, e.e. cummings, Dylan Thomas (Do not go gently into that good night). Without knowing the people involved here, I would throw out this touching end to a long poem: [Yet when we meet we seem in silence to say, Pretending serene forgetfulness of our youth, "Do you remember but then why should you remember! Do you remember a certain day, Or evening rather, spring evening long ago, We talked of death, and love, and time, and truth, And said such wise things, things that amused us so How foolish we were, who thought ourselves so wise!" And then we laugh, with shadows in our eyes.] --Conrad Aiken, Nocturne of Remembered Spring. or this: [The world is too much with us ; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers : Little we see in Nature that is ours ; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon ! This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon ; The winds that will be howling at all hours, And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers ; For this, for everything, we are out of tune ; It moves us not.  Great God ! IÂd rather be A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn ; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn ; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea ; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.] --William Wordsworth Or, [Epitaph by Sir Walter Ralegh Even such is Time, which takes in trust Our youth, our joys, and all we have, And pays us but with age and dust; Who in the dark and silent grave, When we have wandered all our ways, Shuts up the story of our days: And from which earth, and grave, and dust, The Lord shall raise me up, I trust.] There's a popular one that ends "...Twas Heaven Here with You." that I can't find. Here's a place to start a search. Here is a link that might be useful: Poets' Graves

Penny, My dad died a few years before my wedding as well and 15 minutes after reading your poem I am still crying. He was my best friend and i miss him dearly. When i married, i chose a church that had this triangle window high up almost in the rafters at the front of the church. No one could understand why i picked this particular church it was small and old, i finally the day of the wedding revealed to my closest family and friends that it was so my daddy could see me nice and clear. I too would love to use this poem in my wedding album. It takes a big heart for a person to share their words, talent and ability so freely. As you can tell everyone thanks u greatly? Do u have any anniversary poems....my mom in law is standing over my shoudler asking me if u do ...she has to come up with something to say at her parents 50th? :) Thanks again

Thank you all so much for your help. I found the perfect poem... What Is A One-Year Old? A One-year-old daughter is so many things -- A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings, A hugger of Teddies, A sweet sleepyhead, And someone to dream for in bright years ahead... A special new person Who, right from the start, Has a place in the family And, of course, in your heart. And, just when you think That you've learned all the things That your dear Daughter is And the joy that she brings, A hug or a grin Comes with such sweet surprise That love finds you smiling With tears in your eyes! Of course, I found tons of other poems and page ideas. I'm so anxious now to start the next album!! Thanks again for your help. - Vee