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| December 21, 2012 |
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Mary's poem for Dad's 80th Birthday
Well, Dad, you’re 80, so hats off to you!
Eight decades, not too shabby, it’s really quite a few.
And you’ve made the most of the years, I gotta say.
With 7 kids & 12 grandkids, you’ve put a lot into play!
But numbers aren’t everything, as you well know.
It’s the quality of the product that makes the system go.
But in this regard, credit is also due,
as among the slew of us, we got a lot from you.
Personality traits, quirks, hobbies & vocations,
priorities, sayings, choice of vacations.
Like confetti spread at a grand occasion,
there are bits of you in all sorts of locations!
Your love of the land, animals and picturesque views--
you needn’t look far to pick up on the clues.
A farmer here, a cow nutritionist there,
handymen, sports enthusiasts, the signs are everywhere!
Businessmen and women, community servants & lovers of history,
where these interests and passions arose is certainly no mystery.
Your love of travel, dancing and music,
collecting stamps & memorabilia, well you just can’t refuse it!
Your legacy’s in this room, there’s no denying.
There are game lovers, jokesters, and no fear of flying.
Explorers, storytellers, and Cornellians galore--
there are even people here who don’t mind doing chores!
You instilled an appreciation of science & explained how locks work;
that having fun is important, it’s not just a perk.
A lover of musicals, ice cream and sit coms like Cheers:
there are many here who hold these things dear.
Loving what you love, that’s the message you conveyed:
Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong or The Green Beret.
Leave it to you to have a song for any occasion,
and something to say to people of all persuasions.
Titanic, Found a Peanut and Seven Old Ladies, to name just a few--
your brain’s a jukebox database, a musical stew!
Then there were the night before Christmas traditions:
cookies for Santa and the story, not to mention your lively renditions!
We certainly hope we inherited or learned these things,
cuz in the end, we know they’re worth more than just bling.
It’s how one plays the game, as the saying goes.
I think we learned this from you, the best way to know.
We’re grateful, of course, for all we’ve adopted,
by hook or by crook or just plan coopted.
A model citizen, well, most of the time.
You led the way on how to live life and, frankly, key lime pie!
And speaking of pie, well I just can’t resist,
I’ll mention some personal things: you gringe, but I insist!
Some traits & trends I’ve noticed, I’ll just mention a few.
These are some things I got from you:
A love of crab cakes, the aforementioned pie, my liberal views.
I even understand football, who knew??
In ways big and small, you’ve influenced us all,
and along the way, we’ve had quite a ball!
As your sayings go: you “put this package together.”
“Here we go! Here we go! All signs fail in dry weather.”
No one could have predicted how your characteristics would manifest,
but lucky for us, you’re simply the best!
Love & hugs,
Mary
Monday, December 3, 2012
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