Every time the Wind Blows
In memory of my Daddy;
Bob Butler, who died on January 1, 1994.
Written on January 7, 1994.

I can feel your breath upon my cheek,
the love of your arms to comfort me,
your forgiveness from times long past.
Every time the wind blows.

I can hear your kind and gentle words,
the tenderness in your loving voice,
the confidence in your heart.
Every time the wind blows.

I can see the happiness upon your face,
the love that fills within you,
your eyes so full of pride.
Every time the wind blows.

Every time a cloud moves or a tree sways,
every time a leaf falls or the grass bends;
I know you are here to comfort me,
Every time the wind blows.
We love you, Daddy, and we miss you.
by: Dana Butler Dunlap
©January 1994

My Child's Prayer
My son, Jayson, prayed this prayer for his Paw-Paw.
(These are 5-year-old Jayson's own words.)

I could hear his gentle prayer
as I approached the room,
"Please take care of Paw-Paw, Lord",
his voice so filled with gloom.

I took a breath and listened
as he continued to pray.
"He is in my heart, Lord,
and that is where he'll stay."

My eyes welled up with tears
as he spoke his heart and mind.
"I miss him so much, Lord;
this man was very kind."

I felt the warm tear
as it streamed slowly down my face.
"I praise You, oh my Lord,
for taking him to Your place."

"And since Paw-Paw had to go,
and with You he'll always be,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
for letting him watch over me."
Amen.
by: dana butler dunlap
©January, 1994

Until Then
For my darling little girl
Stefani RyAnne
With all my love, to you.

So small and fragile
This child of mine
Something about her
just makes me smile.

A pure, innocent life
This tender baby girl
A precious little gift
The sweetest in the world.

Her dainty little fingers
That charming little nose
I love her completely
From her head to her toes!

She is so enchanting
In ruffles and lace
I could sit here forever
And just look at her face.

But some day will come
and up she will sprout
a delight she will be
without any doubt.

But until then
She'll just be a child
and I'll watch her grow
forever so mild.
by Dana Butler-Dunlap
© May 1995

Only The Love
Written for my Lord
On February 21, 1999

Only the love of Jesus
Can give us freedom from sin.
Wash us white as snow,
Can make us clean again.

Only the love of Jesus
Can take away our sorrow.
Help us live today and,
Can get us through tomorrow.

Only the love of Jesus
Can help us through the pain.
Wash away our tears,
And make us smile again.

Only the love of Jesus
Is continually growing.
Each day it gets stronger,
And is ever overflowing.
By :  Dana Butler Dunlap
© February 1999

The Rain Drops
For my Lord::
Because of all the rain
drops He shed for me.
Please, forgive me Lord.

For as long as I can remember,
I loved to watch it rain
The way it slaps the ground
and then rushes down the drain.

Then one day I felt
A certain sadness as it rained
I just couldn't  understand
It seemed to carry someone's pain.

The pleasure was truly missing
In everything around
And all that I could hear
Was rain slapping the ground.

It seemed as if the drops
Were shaped more like tears
Than what I could remember
In the long past years.

Suddenly I realized
The Earth seemed to frown
As each little raindrop
Fell quickly to the ground.

I then looked up and saw my Lord
And the tears He'd shed away
Each  drop of rain stood for
A sin committed that day

While no one asked forgiveness
Or bothered to even pray.
I watched my Lord as he cried
The rest of His tears that day.

Then I dropped down on my knees
And looked up toward the sky
As His tears fell upon my face
I began to cry.

My Lord, My Lord Forgive me please!
I know I've done you wrong
I didn't pray at all today
On my knees where I belong.

As the rain began to cease
He began to smile
I was then forgiven,
And became His very own child!

So when you see it raining
Stop and think that day
Did I bow down on my knees
And send the Lord a prayer?
I hope I never again make my Lord cry!
©February 22, 1999

Copyright ©1999