A young orphan girl, Miriam, is taken in by an Innkeeper. She learns the art of weaving from, Naomi, a master weaver in Bethlehem. Miriam unselfishly gives her first special weaving as a gift of love that lights up the world. A book for young girls who want to understand how they too matter in the Christmas story.

If you have ever loved with a passion for life and all it brings, then you will appreciate this book of collected poems.

Man's quest for power and domination is fleeting, his desire to be immortal-pure folly. War should be abhorred yet we must recognize that it has become a tolerated transitional evil. The question, "Who is the enemy?" seems to generate the same answer, "It is us." I suffer for the loss of our young men and women, the helpless civilians in the crosshairs of soldiers, and the pain suffered by those who survive. The emotions generated by battles and wars are timeless. The poetry within expresses the futility and pain of war, the hope for new creation, for space exploration, for harmony, and ultimately for the realization that we are indeed one race with many faces. There will come a time when humanity will converge into one people, until then, it is we who live in changing times who will suffer the most.

Gertrude the Giraffe had never been invited to Samantha Swan's Birthday Party. She was ecstatic upon receiving the invitation in the morning mail. The invitation stated hats were required of all ladies and Gertrude could not find her favorite green hat. What would she do? Will she find a hat and be able to attend this most important social event?

Being involved and not just passing through life should be of paramount importance to the individual. Life's experiences should cause one to stop, reflect, and embrace this brief gift in all its manifestations and never lose faith in the people of the Earth. The one driving force that, hopefully, connects all humanity, regardless of income, race, or nationality, is love--true love for one's neighbor, one's enemy, the Earth, for family and for self. If we love ourselves unselfishly and become grateful for who we are as a human being, living our life with joy and with faith, all else will follow. Perhaps then we will understand this good Earth and not be blinded by vain, empty promises of money and fame, forgetting friendships and chasing empty mirages into a meaningless existence filled with regret and negative thoughts.

Dahlia's fourteen year struggle with breast cancer inspired her husband to compose a tribute to her courage and her essence. She will always hold a place in his memory. Perhaps this memoir will provide insight and comfort to others who have experienced a similar loss. Enjoy the moments you with your family and disregard the trivial. Life has a habit of shaking our world and sometimes we don't take the time to walk slowly and smell the lilacs.