The day I joined and logged on the first thing I noticed was all the talk of a lady named momma angel and she seemed like a lovely lady to many people, so to her I leave this poem. I feel so unfortunate as I logged on today I heard an angel passed me by and I didn't know her name. They say she was an angel of mercy with blessings by the many she gave so much of herself and time and never asked for much or any. Some say she was a beacon that shined bright upon their wall and whenever they were in despair she would always come to call. I hear they call her momma angel and from what I read I can see why for so many people she was there and she always had a smile A heart of true honor and gold and love to always give but I am sure she is still around for in to many hearts I see she lives. Doing what she did so best sending love and warmth thru all so perhaps I didn't miss her pass I only missed her call. But I know in these tiny message boards her heart lights up every page and touches every person here no matter size, color or age. So momma angel as I log back on let me take this time to say God bless you and your family and the hearts you touched along the way. And now you rest with God above and all the other angels to I couldn't think of a better place more glorious for a woman like you. You leave many friends behind who will miss you very dear but if they look again with an open heart they will still know that you are near. (God Bless her family and all who knew her well I am sorry for the loss of a wonderful person that gave more of her time to everyone else more than herself as for those people are few and far between.) Charlsa Wiley

I wrote the following when I was 1 month postop. Little did I realize then that I would do just fine. That it is all about putting one foot in front of the other and trusting in the fact that as long as I am doing the right things the weight would come off.... Caroline Lap RNY 5/2/03 367/179/150 Diet Surgery torn eager to hoard engulf boredom fear an empty place despite surgery needs filling the pointer 341 creaks downward smiles offer encouragement motivation move forward but diet it screams die with a "t" how long can she persist will this be just another failure? © 6/5/03, Caroline Martin

I empathize with you! Been there not goin back--God bless you! I will pray it gets better!

In the darkness of my mind I close my eyes try to rewind What happened where did I go wrong I've been dead for oh so long The blood still rushes through my veins Acknowledge me I'm not insane You look my way but do not see Why must you look through me A beauty queen no not me An ugly beast is what you see Laugh at me if you will I'll just pop another pill (by me)

My chapbook (short book of aboout 30-40 pages) of poetry called "The Fearless Tattoo" won Shadow Poetry's 1st Biannual Poetry Chapbook Competition. The first section of the book, "Blooming Gladiolas," is about health/medical issues while the second half, "Revisit" is about memories from childhood to adulthood. For more info on the book or to consider purchasing one go to www.shadowpoetry.com/bookstore/fearlesstattoo.html. To view some of my recently published photos, go to www.geocities.com/bethanncagleburt/poetry_and_photos1.html. If I'm lucky, I'll get some poems up on the web soon. Hope you enjoy these sites. Peace to you all.