Stella Kennedy Sanders
MOMENTS is a book of poems about life listened to, observed or experienced. It’s the moments of life that mold us into the humans we become.
MOMENTS deals with four specific subjects. Lessons Learned and to be Learned; Our Children, Our Future; Inspiration to be Who You Want To Be and Love and Broken Hearts.
This is not only a common sense book, the author’s intention is not to judge, but to give people inspiration and self respect regardless of choices made. In other words, possibly giving them another way to think about what they have experienced.
The one thing the author believes, anyone reading this book will identify with one or more of these poems. That has already been evident from remarks made from people reading the book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ms. Sanders was born in the mid-west, raised on a farm, one of eight siblings. Graduating from High School at age 16, she moved to Illinois to seek employment. In Illinois she met her husband, Larry, and was married thirty years when he passed away at age forty-nine. They had two children and at that time had six grandchildren. Since that time, there have been four more grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Music had been a big part of Stella’s life having sung God Bless America in public at age five, singing with a gospel trio, a local country music band and Sweet Adelines. She was also a member of the Mendolsohn Club. She turned back to music to help her through the grieving period. She started writing songs and poetry.
Working in the business world for more than fifty years, she never lacked content for her writings and used poetry as a way to deal with life. In the 90’s while still working forty-hour weeks in an office, she started doing personal care for seniors in their home, volunteered at a local hospital, the Red Cross and teaching adults to read. She is currently working part time in an Independent/Assisted Living facility for seniors.
Her poetry has been included in eight anthologies, she has been awarded four trophies and is included on two Sound of Poetry CD’s. Her dream of publishing a book with all her poems became a passion with her. She has been told that her poetry is unique because it deals with life happenings and is written in a format that anyone can understand.
The following poem was written with the troops in Iraq in mind, but while writing it, the author was reminded of how young her husband was when he passed away. She feels this poem will be so helpful with anyone who has lost a loved one.
YEARS LOST
The scent of the flowers is overwhelming.
So much linen pressed to the eyes
Souls are blue for the loss they feel.
Yet looking above, not a cloud in the sky.
So young to be laid at rest.
Never to know what could have been.
Unanswered questions plague the loved ones.
Knowing this goodbye will never be said again.
Blaming yourself, blaming others.
Saying, if only, so many times.
Knowing inside no one is to blame.
It’s just a hill that is hard to climb.
Celebrate the life, no matter length of time.
Remembering each life is by God’s design.
Every life is precious, the future is unknown.
Maybe those years lost were added to yours or mine.
