Dianna Doles Petry

A rose with delicate petals,

Standing open in the morning dew,

A blue country rose standing alone,

Vibrant and strong, is how I think of you.

Like a rose with many layers,

You have many loving ways,

Sharing your life with all of us,

Adding beauty and grace to our days.

Your gentleness can't be forgotten,

You hold secrets that remain untold,

Any challenge to your friends or family,

Finds you powerful, tactful and bold.

You speak without offending anyone,

Even when it's hard to do,

We know if we are in need of a friend,

We can always turn to you.

I've known few other women,

Whom I've admired as I do you,

You've always given encouragement,

Proved to be understanding and true.

So I am writing these words from my heart,

To let you know how we feel about you,

Please accept it as a token of our love,

With our dedication and best wishes, too.

 Becky

Looking out of my window,

Watching snow fall here today,

Thinking of you lying in a hospital,

I felt the need to kneel and pray.

Your friends are proud of you,

Amazed at the courage you've shown,

Watching you handle your life,

Has helped us to deal with our own.

I said a prayer for you this morning,

As I have every day for a while,

That you might find strength each day,

Along with a reason to smile.

You are a special gift to us, Becky,

Many people are sending love to you,

You have touched many hearts,

You encourage us in all that you do.

Prayer for Becky

Jesus, we ask you today to listen to our hearts,

As we come to you in simple prayer,

Please protect Becky as she deals with this illness,

Let her feel the comfort of your presence there.

This lady has a heart of gold filled with love,

As pure as a lily's first spring bloom,

Hold her hand and calm her thoughts,

Assure her family when they're in her room.

Carry Becky through this time and space,

Enrich her body and allow her pain to fade away,

For she has endured much in her lifetime,

In your name, we ask that she be healed today.

Becky's Friendship

A couple of years ago, a member of the WV Roundtable of Writers wrote to me and asked if I might be interested in joining the group. I hesitated because in my eyes I was not a "real" writer. At that time, I had experienced some success as a writer and I had poetry and short stories that were being passed all over the Internet but to join a group of people who practiced their writing skills every day truly intimidated me at that time.

I did join the group and one of the first people to contact me and encourage me to share the things I had written was Becky Conrad. At that time, I had no idea of what kind of life Becky had dealt with or that she was blind. What I saw through her letters to me was a very intelligent, caring and supportive lady. That image of her has never changed and the more I learn about her, the more respect I have for this very special lady who has earned a place in my heart.

Becky has shown me and many others that the greatest gifts you can give someone are your presence, your attention and your encouragement. She has a way of making sure that no one feels inadequate or alone. Through Becky's example to me, I have come to realize that whether we write down our thoughts and dreams or simply keep them to ourselves, we are creating the story of our life and we should make sure that each day is spent in a way that we are proud to share with others.

I haven't had the privilege of knowing Becky for a lifetime or even meeting her in person, yet, she has impacted my life and my view of writing poetry and reflections of my daily adventures. She has shown everyone who crosses her path that determination and attitude are the most important tools you can carry to live life with grace and beauty. Becky has shown me what the true definition of friendship really means.

Copyright © 2007 by Dianna Doles Petry

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