A Family of Mystery

Stephen W Emerick PhD

©2024

I was born into 

a family of mystery

and the night the winds

seemed to have no mercy.

The readings of centigrade

made many afraid.

Then I found a delight of hope

that night when birth took flight,

as the arms of father and mother

in welcome, spread wide, 

embracing tight, everyone

glowing with a sacred light.

I have been told we choose our parents

and if true I had chosen right.

A father who came to shelter thousands

in homes built with light and love –

A mother whose tender touch for children

felt like the alighting of the dove from above.

Now we are five gathered together 

at the hearth of the lineage of our people

born from the sacred heart.

Ancestors giving the life they had to give –

helping us get to this moment,

and in this moment, we truly live.

Living a life of service,

each and every one 

stepping into the currents of time,

finding life itself would help serve us, as

giving our all to others is what we know as

baptism in the spirit.

This is the mystery school of service –

teacher exceedingly profound.

Each of us hand in hand like Moses, 

standing upon sacred ground –

finding every act done on behalf of the ancestors

leads every life to be profound.

Dedicated to:

Samuel Saint John Emerick, among the early founders of, and first Chairman of the Board of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for Humanity is now among the top three housing builders in the United States.

Patsy Emerick, Kindergarten Teacher, and mother to many children of the world in her work and home, and teacher of the matriarchal spirit.