Little Annie

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1980

Shocking, the phone call from home

It's hard to imagine, not sure what to say

Like a slap in the face, the news so astounding

The buzz all around, Annie Fuller died today

Didn't we just see Annie last week?

So happy, so alive, so vibrant, and young

Nobody can believe it, can it be true?

Why on earth would she be holding a gun?

We weren't aware of any danger or trouble

Her family didn't say anything, they didn't know

What was bothering this cute little angel?

What made her feel she had to go?

Didn't go to her funeral, was so very hard

To deal with her loss, so sudden and real

Annie was our friend, yet we didn't comprehend

The demons she lived with, profound and surreal

A beautiful person is gone for no reason

Making sense of it, doesn't help to try

Another angel is in Heaven on this day

But poor Annie wasn't able to say goodbye

I Remember Tramp - Boss Dog

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1975

I remember when you came to live with us

A bony little body, ears that crossed your head

A smile on your handsome dog face

I remember the socks you chewed,

The curtains you tore and wood you stripped

All because we left you alone in our place

I remember our trip to Colorado, what scenery

The snake you protected us against

The damage to the interior of the car

I remember you keeping the cattle and horses away

You watched all the children with such care

We knew if needed you wouldn't be far

I remember you were bossy, a leader at birth

If another dog didn't mind their manners

They earned your wrath with a bite on the nose

I remembers your manners sometimes

Not exactly at their best, when you urinated on

Mrs. Price and Pony, soiling their clothes

I remember the long and worried nights

When you didn't come home, you bad boy

I'm certain every dog in the neighborhood knew you

I remember you loves and kindness

And the happiness you gave everyone

It was your destiny to join us, and start anew

I remember your athletic ability as you played catch

You never missed the ball, where were the scouts?

You were first string in our minds, a hero every time

I remember as you got older, some days weren't as good

You tried to keep going, but napped longer each day

The end was coming soon, not fair, such a crime

I remember your last night on earth, you were at peace

We talked for hours about all your great deeds

You gave us such joy, the memories were plenty and full

I remember thinking of your place in Heaven, well deserved

There were a few rough spots that final night

But you came through it pretty good, strong and peaceful

I remember so much more about you that I'd like to say

I could write for days on how much you meant to us

You were tired at the end, yet you had a smile on your face

I remember you raised your head before you said goodbye

To let us know that your enjoyed your life with us

And you knew by our looks, that no dog would ever take your place

Kathryn (Kathryn Nadine McMurphy Smith) Aug 30, 1920 to July 23, 1981

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1981

Her door was always open

To each and every stray

Be it cat, dog, or kid

No, no one was turned away

She had some funny stories

You could listen to all day

About plain average people

A knack for telling in a special way

Books with hundreds of pages

Could never say nearly enough

About all the things she did

Just by being herself

When she was at her lowest

Only one tear did she cry

But never asked or pleaded

Lord dear Lord, why oh why?

Now she is at peace

And how lovely she did look

As grand as any lady

When they closed the final book

The Little Bohemian - Big Heart and Lots of Love

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1976

Hello my darling Joe, you're looking so well

But then I really had no doubt you would

I've always believed in Heaven, strong with faith

And I knew you'd be here and life here is good

I'm truly sorry you had to wait so long for me

There were just so many things I had to do

On top of that, I had to prepare for this trip

So that I could get ready to spend eternity with you

I thought you'd like to know that all the girls are good

As you might expect, they're feeling a little low

But my goodness how their families have grown

You would be incredibly proud, my dear sweet Joe

They were all there with me, right up to the end

And you should have heard the preacher, so fine

His words and the hymns were inspiring indeed

And the beautiful service gave me such peace of mind

They knew it was my time to finally leave this earth

I've heard, for some time now, my name called low

I enjoyed a long and fruitful life, but it was time

To leave the physical world and be with you again darling Joe

Sleep, Sweet Lady Joe (Ethyl Lorene Terry Stewart Lobba)

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1976

Sleep, sweet lady Joe

You deserve the rest

God has prepared a bed

In Heaven with the best

Satin sheets for you to enjoy

Pillows soft as goslings down

Peaceful dreams everywhere

And nary a frown

So, sleep on sweet lady

Dream of memories past

Of your family's love

That will forever last

Time will pass as you rest

The ages move as you dream away

You can be certain of one thing

You will be thought of each and every day

Dan

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1975

He was a bright young lad

In his happy teen years

He knew few troubles

Nor showed any fears

He liked loud music

Mostly rock and roll tunes

While it's not exactly dancing

More warbling and croons

He wasn't the neatest

When it came to his room

At times, you would think

It was destroyed with a boom

When he was younger

He'd play with his toys

His make believe friends and games

Would bring him great joys

Then this young eager boy

Grew up so quick with a grin

I lament, growing up is sad

Vanishing youth is really a sin

I wish he had stayed small

For a few years longer

Until the world was better

And his faith grew stronger

He matured and grew, strong as a teen

Manhood came and before you knew

The years flew by, much too quickly

Aging now, with still so much to do

Lost Flame of Love

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1980

Tonight I find myself sitting by the candle light

Pondering what went wrong, why this why now

I watch the flame burning ever so bright

And sit in sadness contemplating the why and how

The good times were many, how happy it seemed

I wish again for those days of romantic bliss

There was energy and excitement and romance

Who on earth could resist a mood, as was this

And now the light grows dim as darkness sets

The scent of tangerine sweetly fills my room

I close my eyes and remember happiness

And imagine the vision of love in bloom

The flame began to flicker and I didn't know why

Glowing embers couldn't stop the descent

I wasn't sure what to do, how to fix it

I only look back wishing time had been well spent

Bedtime is calling, my hot tea is brewing

I'll wash up, don my robe and house shoes

And be back here again tomorrow night

Wishing I could again light the burned out fuse

Eddie Red

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1980

"Hey, look at me," he said

As he nuzzled at my side

You know I don't feel well

But, I'm ready for my last long ride

I have told all the others

And they surely understand

We were pals for many years

And we got along just grand

You know I'll miss you all

But, I've got a job to do

For God, needs a good horse

Sure hope I don't throw a shoe

You can bet that I'll be watching

From my pasture up above

Eating all that green grass

And doing the things I love

I heard that God had bought me

The finest saddle that he could find

I know I'll miss my old one

But, I'll leave it here if you don't mind

Guess I had best be going

I've got a long ride to go

Think only of my good points

And memories we loved so

My Last Request

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1976

Walking down these roads of life

Can make a man's feet sore

There's some gravel, stone and dirt

Some bumps and bruises galore

I'm not the only one who knows this

The same the whole world over

Keep in mind throughout your years

They're not made of roses and clover

Despite life's thorns and rocky roads

Seems in my mind that this is true

Thinking about the streets in Heaven

When my time comes I beg of you

I wish to walk the streets of glory

No fuss, something clean and neat

But, please allow my final request

I wish to have some shoes upon my feet

True Friendship

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1980

There is nothing in this world

That I could hold so dear

As the words of a good friend

Who would always be near

Short romances and fast affairs

Are not really my speed

A long and lasting friendship

I really all that I ever need

You meet so many people

As you journey on your way

But, all those acquaintances

Are not the kind you wish to stay

I feel I am so very lucky

To have you as my friend

For I will always treasure

Our friendship, which will never end

Hard Times

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1974

Walking down a dusty lane

With the hot sun looking down

Feel the dirt on your bare feet

See the cracks upon the ground

You'd wish for a cool oasis

Where you could rest with ease

Feel the breezes blowing

Through the Oak or Maple trees

Wipe the sweat from your brow

And it magically reappears

You feel your body baking

As you try to hold your tears

You're hot and tired and aching

Work in the fields isn't easy

Then the long walk home

And your stomach feeling queasy

A man must labor all his life

To bring food upon the table

The boss says, "keep it up"

Even when you feel unable

When the field work is done

I'll set back and wonder

And pray to God to hear

Just a small clap of thunder

Eternal Peace

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1973

As I stand here gazing around

I see the stones upon the ground

Names of strangers and loved ones I see

Some would think me silly

And though the air is chilly

I feel your warm presence here with me

Memories flash before my face

As I stand in this solemn place

For an instant I close my eyes

I see you smiling and standing near

And your sweet voice I long to hear

Your years were long and ever wise

This is your home, so still and calm

As I reach out to touch the palm

Of your dear sweet gentle hand

You've found your peace, your haven

Your refuge from the strife and cravin'

As you battled the evils of the land

And so, your soul has found contentment

You leave this life with no resentment

To journey to a far and better home

Where troubles are not heard of

Where God has built his home with love

With silver floors and a golden dome

With Angels voices heard on high

And lyrics of Sweet Bye and Bye

Where only happiness is measured

By the joys of eternal peace

Where you have a never ending lease

And your thoughts of others treasured

Buyers Remorse - Uncle Pete

By Loretta F. Anderson and Darrell D. Ames - 1972

He found this trader

Clothes for sale, cheap

He bought them all

In a frantic sweep

Couldn't miss this bargain

He told his wife

Now he's after this trader

Going to take his life

He sold these jeans

With a story for each

How nice they fit

And how they held their crease

Pete bought them all

An offer he couldn't refuse

Now old Pete

Is singing the blues

Must confess, it's not his fault

That they creep and crawl

It's the build of the body

Underneath it all

And too, you must admit

That he did realize

It wasn't the trader's fault

But Mr. Levi's

He wears his jeans

Like any other man

It's the fit of his shorts

That he just can't stand

Spring

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1974

The snow is melting from the earth

Lilies pushing through the ground

We sing the song of springtime

Grass becomes green all around

The Robin looks around for a home

Redbirds chirp and bluebirds sing

Birds build their nests to call their own

As they form melodious songs of Spring

Peace reigns in the land, the whole world over

Fresh sweet rain comes falling down

Bees buzz around the sweet red clover

As the world is washed from its Winter frown

I truly love this time of year you see

I'm quite certain that God does too

For if it were up to me and me alone

I'd make Spring last the whole year through

My Father - Visions and Dreams

By L F Anderson and D D Ames - 1975

There are pictures in my mind

Of the many years gone past

They remain for a moment

How I wish they would last

Thoughts go back to childhood

Are they things I remember and hold?

Or events of the distant past

That I knew not, but were told

A man driving a wagon

A large team of horses pull on

I thought I may have been there

But, somehow the vision is gone

I remember a man lay ailing

And soon he was going to die

I can see the room and figures

But, wonder, "did I ever cry?"

Many times I've thought and pondered

What type of man he would be

I've pictured him many times

For certain, a miracle to see

Would my life be so different

If he were alive and with us today?

Fate is a strange and winding road

For who could really say?

There are so very many things

That I would like to share

To let him know about my life

And how much I really do care

Though the years are many

Since he passed away

There is a much greater world

Where his soul does stay

Someday we will meet again

And get to know each other

In that great and glorious land

With his Father and his Mother