examples FAQ gifts guarantee home links order pricing

. More information .

A Gift of Poetry. The unique gift for every occasion

Your words, your thoughts and feelings. Captured within a gift, A Gift of Poetry. Presented in a uniquely designed, boxed, hand-made card, with your verse of choice as a key emotional focal point. Truly, a 'once-in-a-lifetime' gift, a gift that inspires the heart and touches the soul.

I wrote A Strong, Brave and Noble Man in June 2005. Below the horizontal line, I have left the page untouched as an epitaph to Devin because sadly, this is the e-mail I received from his mother,

Barbara, in February 2006:

"Allen, Just a thank you again for giving Devin's writing's a chance to be published. The poem I had written for Devin in June of 2005 was one of the best decisions I have made.

Devin went into in-home hospice care after Thanksgiving 2005 and died February 3, 2006. I would like you to read his last two poems that he wrote. The one titled Worthwhile was read at his funeral just as he requested. It gives some insight of what a remarkable man I had the privilege to raise. The hospice company has asked my permission to print his poem "He Already Paid" on their thank you notes as a memory to him. So he did get published. :-) Thank you for touching our lives. Barbara Joy"

Worthwhile

By Devin Joy

September 11, 2003

A wish is a moment not yet made

To chance, like dice you roll

And if the numbers fall just right

A moment will touch your soul

One moment, to me, a thousand fold

Somehow it helps to know

To know at least a drop of love

And hope to make it grow

One word can heal a thousand scars

The word of love in hand

For every breath, a gift from God

A chance to make a stand

So much talk of chance and luck

With no due credit to Thee

The hand of fate is the hand of God

Not chance, but destiny

He Already Paid

By Devin L. Joy

January 14, 2006

Should we live out our time

In pursuit of ourselves?

Should we seek the sublime,

Moving further from truth,

The deeper we delve?

Our pursuit has been made,

The sublime has been sought,

Through the blood of the Lamb,

Our way has been bought.

By His design, this world is the test,

For justice to be allotted

And salvation to be blessed.

Through unending dilemmas,

Alone we can’t last.

So true on His rock,

Should we ever stand fast.

God Bless

A Strong, Brave and Noble Man

Devin Joy

"Why should I wait until then to give him the gift

of my feelings through a poem when tomorrow

may be too late? I want him to be able to

see my love through poetry."

Barbara's son, Devin, suffers from a muscle wasting disease (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy).

As Barbara told me in her request:

"Each morning when I go to his room to get him ready for the day I'm blessed to be able to wake him up. He has told me several times that he prays to God that he will go to sleep

some night and not wake up."

Barbara and Devin have kindly given their permission

for their poem and story to be published.

A Strong, Brave and Noble Man

What is your name : Barbara Joy

Who do you want the poem written for: My 24 year old son Devin. He's a very intelligent young man. He has a beautiful mind, spirit and soul. He loves science fiction novels, movies, etc. He writes beautiful poetry, but that's not where his love is. For the past couple of years he has been writing a science fiction/fantasy novel. His mind works all the time about new characters, events, etc. for his novel. It's not unusual for him to be writing two stories at one time. One of his teachers told him she expected to see his name in print someday. I don't know if it will help you to read a poem that he wrote so let me know if you wish to do so.

Why do you want the poem written: At age 5 Devin was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which affects every muscle in your body. He has been in a wheelchair since age 10. His body has deteriorated to the point that he is no longer able to take care himself in any way and it's getting very difficult for him to even drive his electric wheelchair. Soon he will probably be using voice activated software to be able to continue to work on his novel. As we all know, the most important muscle we have is our heart. Devin's heart is failing, but not his spirit. He keeps a positive attitude most of the time. I've had him in my life 2 years longer than doctor's thought possible.
I think we take too many things for granted in our lives, and our precious time on this earth is one of them. I'm just as guilty as anyone. We all have busy schedules, but I have learned if we haven't told our family today we love them, do so. If we want a hug from our children and think it might embarrass them, go ahead and ask. Don't hold back. Tomorrow we may have forever missed our chance for that hug or that "I love you". Devin knows he doesn't have many tomorrows left. A couple of years ago I started writing poetry because of encouragement from a friend and since then I have written one for my oldest son. However, when it comes to writing one for Devin my words won't come together. I just end up in tears. I need your help to get my words on paper before I waste any more time.

What style of poem would you prefer (happy, sad, romantic etc.): happy, sad

Please choose which package you would prefer : Unique

Would you like a copy of the handwritten drafts : No

What are the key messages you would like to send: How proud I am to be his mother. Not only is he my son, he is my friend. We laugh together, we cry together. We've talked about life and we've cried about death. He worries about me, but we all get stressed and tired. I will take care of him as long as I have the privilege to do so. God gave me a wonderful boys and they both grew up to be a fine young men.

Do you have any funny, sad, happy, embarrassing or otherwise memorable moments that you would like to share: Our family went on a "Make A Wish" trip for Devin to Disneyworld in Florida when he was young. Our first night at Give Kids The World, during our dinner we stood in line waiting to be served ice cream with all the trimmings. At that time Devin's wheelchair was a manual so I pushed him wherever he needed to go. I was standing behind Devin in line when the man making our ice cream sundaes accidentally sprayed Devin and myself with whip cream. We had whipping cream from the top of my head down to our waists! We all had a wonderful laugh over that one. The man apologized and helped us clean up as best we could. He also told Devin to be sure and clean up very good before going to bed that night so he wouldn't smell like sour cream the next day. As we walked around Epcot the next day Dream Finder and of course with him was "Figment" walked up to Devin and me. We talked a few seconds Dream Finder told Devin what Figment had whispered in his ear. "That's odd, I smell sour cream." The look on Devin's face was priceless. We both just stared at each other, eyes wide. We had to think about it a while, and decided that Dream Finder may have been the man that made the ice cream but I don't think he was as tall as the ice cream man was. Anyway, it was to be a magical trip for Devin and that's exactly what he and his brother received. We've kept a wonderful memory of that all these years. We can still get a laugh thinking and talking about it. Maybe it wasn't an accident, which would make it even more special, at least for this mother it will. We'll never know will we.

Do you have any other comments or thoughts : Each morning when I go to his room to get him ready for the day I'm blessed to be able to wake him up. He has told me several times that he prays to God that he will go to sleep some night and not wake up. (Parent's were meant to out live their children.) Devin's birthday is in October. Why should I wait until then to give him the gift of my feelings through a poem when tomorrow may be too late? I want him to be able to see my love through poetry.

A Strong, Brave and Noble Man

Some people get to live out a full life,

some people get their three score and ten,

but often, they can end up old and disillusioned,

sometimes, they can end up really bitter old men.

And then there are others who are quite cowardly,

they stay safe from harm, in their protective shell,

some never find their true greatness, their true potential,

patience, I'm going somewhere with this, can you tell?

Because some people go through life not being loved,

and that's got to be the greatest pain of all,

but then others, get to leave this planet early,

and when it comes, you just can't ignore God's call.

And so it will be for you, my wonderful son,

God needs your beautiful mind, spirit and soul,

and to be honest, I know He's got greater plans,

as you've already starred in your earthly role.

You see, you could not be any more loved,

and to have shared you, I know that I've been blessed,

and of all the sons that I could have chosen,

I know I'm lucky, because I chose two of the very best.

You're such an intelligent, fine young man,

you have the soul of a poet, but then some more,

and Devin, I just wanted to say "I love you",

I guess that's what these words are really for.

But there's so much more that I need to say,

because you've made my world a great place to be,

and although I love you with all my heart,

I wish I'd never heard of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

But they say that all things happen for a reason,

and no, that doesn't mean that you've been bad,

it just means that God planned a different path for you,

to take you on a journey that many have never had.

Maybe it's for you to create a different perspective,

to see the world through a new, but understanding set of eyes,

and I'm sure that great things are planned for you,

and when that happens, it will come as no surprise.

Because I know you love your science fiction,

and your beautiful poetry is a Joy to behold,

I know, the teacher was right, your name will be in print one day,

because Devin, yours is an epic that must be told.

I do hope you can get your novel finished,

maybe you could finish just one story at a time?

Just know, whatever happens, I'm so proud of you,

you've helped put the reason in my rhyme.

And I don't think it's a Figment of my imagination,

but sometimes in life, you can smell like sour cream,

but then again, some things are often no accident,

sometimes, it takes great strength to live out your dream.

I used to think the most important muscle we have is our heart,

but now I've changed my mind, because it's the human spirit,

I know it's so hard for you (and your prayers will be answered),

but just for now, choose life, Devin, this is yours (and be in it).

Because the world would love to see your novel finished,

have you ever wondered why you've had an extended stay?

I also know you keep a positive attitude most of the time,

but that one line still leaves so much to say:

Because I think we take too many things for granted in our lives,

our precious time on this Earth and our daily bread,

and I know I'm as guilty as anyone, we're all too busy,

but I know that "I love you" are words that need to be said.

If we need a hug from our children, just go ahead and ask them,

because one day, sadly, it'll be just too darn late,

so not holding back, Devin, can I please have a hug?

And now there's just one last thing I'd like to state:

Devin, I know that we don't have many tomorrows left,

and I know, unlike my words, my tears just won't dry,

so I wanted to say: "Devin, I'm so very proud of you",

or at least, I wanted to give it my very best try.

Not only are you my son, you are my friend,

and truly, you've been a really great friend, indeed,

and you've already given me so much in this life,

in truth, more love and wisdom than I'll ever need.

We've laughed together, we've cried together,

if you want proof, just look at the pair of us now,

we've talked about life, we've talked about death,

and Devin, I promise, we'll get through this, somehow.

I know you worry about me, but we all get stressed and tired,

and I promise I'll take care of you as long as I possibly can,

because God gave me two truly wonderful boys,

and you grew up to be such a strong, brave and noble man.

www.agiftofpoetry.com

"You did a beautiful job on Devin's poem. I knew you would."

"Allen, today Devin and I had a lovely lunch with my sister and I presented his poem to him. There was no other way to give it to him but to read it myself. I read the poem about 3 times before today, but was unable to read it today without reading through tears. Devin told me later in the day that he made himself fight back tears. That says a lot for your poem because he doesn't show emotions easily.

After I read Devin's poem I explained to him what you offered to do concerning the poem he wrote to me and the two chapters of his book. His face lit up and he couldn't believe you would actually do that for him. He says to let you know he appreciates it very much. He also said you can use his real name on your website for the poem "A Strong, Brave and Noble Man."

Attached are the first two chapters of his novel.

Thank you for being so kind. Barbara"

Please find attached Devin's work,

I think it's worthy of a wider audience...

Do you know of a publisher who could publish Devin's work?

If you do, please get in touch with Barbara at

barbarajoyATcox.net

(please replace AT with @ in your e-mail).

Thank you.

Your unique thoughts and feelings

meaningfully wrapped within