Stay innocent little one, 

at least, for one more day. 

Let me hold you tightly, 

please don’t run away. 

In the blink of an eye, 

things can change.

I’ll  cherish these days, 

as long as I can. 

One day soon, 

you’ll let go of my hand, 

before we know it, 

you’ll be a grown man. 

When that day comes, 

remember these truths, 

I will still be your mom, 

and I will always love you.

 ~terri otterman

The Way

 The Way

the way your voice dances in my ears, 

the way your smile lights up my eyes, 

the way your touch tickles my senses, 

the way your arms  wrap around my body, 

the way…….I love that. 

Have you ever found yourself saying, “It ended as quickly as it began. All the promises, all the words, are as if they were never spoken”? When love is rushed, it parts too quickly. We live in a fast world where everything is wanted now. Relationships must be built, and quite often the building process is a slow one. People must take the time to get to know each other. One might think they don’t have time, the grass is growing under their feet, I’m coming to the end of their life, but those things shouldn’t  matter. One good year is far better than two unhappy ones. Why live unhappy? If not built correctly, love will only fall to the ground, destroying one or both partners. Relationships require love and respect.  Some people may not want or care to be respected, but many do. Some people don’t care about love and friendship, but there are those “hopeless romantics”, like myself, still out there. Love requires gentleness, quietness, caressing, caring, understanding, and knowing that if one is hurt, the other will be there to comfort, not condemn.  Love is a promise that states, “I’ve got your back, I’m in for the long haul.” Love is not selfish, and likewise, not selfless. Love is two people on a journey together, that don’t always enjoy the ride, but know it’s worth their time and efforts. Love can be everything you’ve dreamt of and much more. It can also include things that are not fun, but because both partners care, they are willing to work on their differences. Love  isn’t always beautiful fireworks, and great sex. Quite often, those are just fantasy dreams, that rarely  turn out as expected. Love is hard. Love is the one blessing most people long for, most need, but never find. When you find it, grab it, true love is rare. Hold it, nurture it, do whatever it takes to keep it. Wrap your arms around it and never let it go. It will take great sacrifices, but in the end, it will be worth it. ~terri otterman

 

In my quiet space is where I find my peace, my solace, sometimes my stress. I do my best thinking or my worst, it all depends on the topic at hand, whether positive or negative, Nevertheless, it helps me get things off my chest, to throw them away, or move them to a safe place, maybe to revisit later.  Anyway, it seems strange to me, seeing as I’m not a person that desires or likes to be alone, that it can be actually refreshing and freeing at times.  To sit quietly and let my mind wander, with no disruptions, no noise, no interference, allows me to really search my heart, to find answers, to dig deeply into the things that really matter. This, is much needed. If you think about it, quiet is really good for the soul, everyone needs it, whether they admit they do, or not. 

~terri otterman

 

If I kiss you 

or want to, 

it’s because 

there is a special 

kind of love 

inside my heart for you. 

It doesn’t mean 

I’m “in love” with you

or that I desire 

wild crazy adventures 

with you. 

It may mean 

I have a special spot 

in my heart for you, 

and depending on 

the type of kiss,

that may be open 

for discussion 

another time. 

 

First day of Fifth grade…

Before you were born, you were thought of, before you were  conceived, God was thinking of me.

Sometimes I wonder where you came from, 

then your smile reminds me, you came from above.

The thought, the consideration, that went into your being, totally amazes me.

In a blink of an eye, you were created, just for me. 

Many times, the plan seems so unreal,

but our Creator, knew exactly what He was doing. He knew how I’d feel; this day, this time, during this life of mine. 

I love you with all my heart, more than I ever thought I could. 

Right from the start, when I laid eyes on you,

I knew, I would. ~to

 

Sometimes,

God refuses 

to open doors 

that you 

ask him to. 

trust him, 

he knows 

what’s best for you. 

don’t settle 

for anything less, 

than his perfectness.

As you Fall Apart

Life is good, 

but it’s not the same. 

Love is Lost, 

the pain remains. 

Happiness strives, 

everyday. 

Thankful for the gift 

of being alive. 

Life is good, 

but it’s not the same. 

Love is lost, 

the pain remains. 

I live each day,

with a smiling heart, 

I won’t let 

the best of me, 

fall apart. 

Life is good, 

but it’s not the same. 

Love is lost, 

the pain remains. 

Memories remind me, 

of places we’ve been. 

Dreams pretend, 

you are coming 

back again. 

Life is good, 

but it’s not the same.

Love is lost, 

the pain remains. 

It’s tough 

being strong, 

as you fall apart. 

Stop

 Stop worrying, 

stop thinking, 

stop calling, 

stop asking, 

-let it go.

But,

never-stop-caring. 

that, 

my friend,

shows 

the true depth, 

of your heart.

What A Fool I’ve Been

What a fool I’ve been

Reaching out to you 

So many times

And you not responding  

What a crazy girl

Hopelessly in love

Running after

One that 

can never be touched

What a nightmare

I’ve built for myself

Putting you on a pedestal

High up on the shelf

What a heartbreak

You don’t even see me

The depths of my soul ache

And you are unaware

What a mixed up girl

Trying to find her way 

Thinking things 

would finally turn

That this 

would be the day 

What a fool I’ve been.

The Player

 

I don’t want

to see you

anymore. 

I’m hurt

I’m crushed

I’m angry

I’m torn. 

I know, 

I’m not 

the only one, 

that’s been

played on

by you.   

I just wish 

this didn’t 

happen to us. 

Will this pain ever end? 

Will my heart ever mend? 

I don’t know the answers. 

It feels like 

a terrible disease

eating at my bones. 

My mind, 

my heart, 

haven’t stopped 

hurting

since

we’ve been apart. 

I try to dream

of happy things,

but all 

I want to do, 

is scream.

Be There

Be a good friend 

it's important. 

Be a nice neighbor 

it's expected. 

Being there when 

someone needs you

is a precious gift 

from your heart. 

Be there. 

Show you care. 

~terri otterman

In My Dreams

 I stopped hearing your voice,  

I stopped smelling your smell,

I stopped seeing your face, 

Suddenly, I closed my eyes, 

and there you were, 

once again…in my dreams.

~terri otterman

Happiness

 S elfless 

E asy 

C aring 

R espectful 

E mpathetic 

T hankful 

T rustworthy 

O ptimistic 

A mbitious

G racious 

E legant

N ice

U nique 

I  mpressive

N urturing

E lectrifying 

L oveliness

I  ntriguing

F orgiving

E ncouraging

O utstanding

F riendly

H elpful 

A mazing

P eaceful  

P atient 

I  nspirational 

N atural

E nergetic 

S trong 

S entimental

Add these and make it even better! 

Kind 

Loving 

Respectful 

Giving 

Between me and me

My head is spinning, 

out of control, 

with pleasant

thoughts of you.

This room 

is floating in circles, 

I can’t make it stop.

My mind replays 

over and over,

the things that you said.

Your words 

radiate so loud,

I can’t turn them 

down.

I care for you 

abundantly.

You know how to

light up my life. 

You are silly,

yet so full of excitement. 

I am still crazy 

about you. 

But, that is 

between 

me and me. 

Secrets

TBD

Just Believe

 Life is bigger

Than that big ocean

And it’s waves,

Little one

Don’t let life’s troubles 

knock you down. 

You have what it takes, 

to overcome.

The greatest,

 

darkest battles, 

cannot drown you. 

Stand strong in victory.

Your God, 

is always with you!

He’s your life guard, 

your rescue,

the One,

that will never leave you!

Just believe.

~terri otterman

Walk Softly

 Walk softly

Walk softly,

don’t make noise

Speak freely

But don’t hurt.

Aim high 

go for your dreams, 

Be a friend 

to the unfriendly.

Show love

even if it hurts, 

Wake up smiling,

brighten someone’s day.

Give of yourself 

to those who need you, 

Reach for the stars,

you might catch a Diamond.

Be gentle enough

to mend a broken heart,

But be genuine,

not artificial.

Raise the bar,

make the change count,

Walk softly,

don’t make noise.

~terri otterman 

Matthew 6:1-34. 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.

Been

Been enjoying, 

my backyard

today. 

Been pondering, 

been thinking, 

been wondering, 

about this life. 

Been happy,

reminiscing, 

been sad, 

remembering,

been fearful,

not knowing 

what tomorrow, 

will be.

been asking, 

been crying, 

been smiling,

been confident, 

that all,

will be 

just fine.

been uncertain 

of the future, 

been crazy 

unsure.

been dazed,

been confused,

been heartbroken.

been happy,

been melancholy, 

been high.

been so sad,

I want to cry. 

been alone, 

been with many, 

been quiet,

been loud.

been anxious,

been calm, 

just been…..

Enjoying,

my quiet, 

noisy,

peaceful,

back yard, 

today.

~terri otterman

The Tug

 

I find myself constantly being tugged this way and that way. The tug is real and it affects my heart, my mind, my body, my being! It takes a lot of courage, a lot of strength, and an open mind, to go the right way in this life. It takes a lot of determination, and guts to say, I’m going to stay on track, I’m not going to fall apart, I’m not going to lose my peace. I vow to make myself happy, again.

It takes a lot of courage, to go with the tug. 

Life is full of choices, decisions, and plans.

It’s full of disappointments, celebrations, and meh moments. 

We all have mediocre days. 

It’s up to us, to rise above them. 

Sometimes the mountains are too hard to climb

by ourselves.

But life can be full of passion, love, and incredible friendships! 

Embrace those things.

Life has so much goodness, kindness, and joy. 

But, we must open our eyes, if we truly want 

to see them. 

We aren’t stuck in this journey, me in mine, 

and you in yours.

Our journeys are blessings! 

Within them, we have the chance 

to grow, and learn, and love. 

Embrace your voyage, enjoy it.

Yes, your trek may be filled with many circumstances, both good and bad. 

It all depends on what we do with those 

moments, those events. 

Where are we going to end up?  

What does our future hold? 

Am I supposed to move or stay?

The tug can be quite scary, but as well, it can be quite endearing. 

It’s hard to make decisions,

when your heart is broken.

But honestly, it’s just as hard, when your 

heart is not.

The tug, it’s quite powerful. 

It can tear you up.

But, the tug is also very promising.

The tug can change your life,

The tug just might lead your heart to love again.

Likewise, it can lead to devastation

and heart break. 

But, what if you never respond to the tug?

that being asked, you would never know.

the tug is one of those things, we all encounter at one time o r another. It’s up to us to make the proper decisions, for us, for those we love.

Which way will we go, right or left?

The tug pulls at our hearts, pulls at our minds, pull deep into our soul, and many times

it’s hard to know which road to take. 

One must be taken,  if we want to see change, if we want to move forward.

Promise me, that you will listen with your whole heart, 

Promise me, 

that you will trust, with all your being.

God knows what’s best for you.

Promise me you will go

wherever this crazy, exciting, adventurous,  

tug of life takes you! 

Keep an open mind

an open heart, and enjoy the journey laid out for you.

You will be glad you did.❤️